(A) Applicability. This rule applies to adjournments of trials, alternative dispute resolution processes, pretrial conferences, and all motion hearings.
Rule 2.503.Adjournments
Current through May 1, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2.503 requires a party seeking to adjourn a Michigan trial, hearing, or ADR proceeding to show good cause by motion or stipulation, sets a stricter standard for adjourning because a witness or piece of evidence is unavailable, and lets the court condition an adjournment on paying the other side's costs.
Full Text of Rule 2.503
(B) Motion or Stipulation for Adjournment.
(1) Unless the court allows otherwise, a request for an adjournment must be by motion or stipulation made in writing or orally in open court and is based on good cause.
(2) A motion or stipulation for adjournment must state
(a) which party is requesting the adjournment,
(b) the reason for it, and
(c) whether other adjournments have been granted in the proceeding and, if so, the number granted.
(3) The entitlement of a motion or stipulation for adjournment must specify whether it is the first or a later request, e.g., “Plaintiff’s Request for Third Adjournment.”
(C) Absence of Witness or Evidence.
(1) A motion to adjourn a proceeding because of the unavailability of a witness or evidence must be made as soon as possible after ascertaining the facts.
(2) An adjournment may be granted on the ground of unavailability of a witness or evidence only if the court finds that the evidence is material and that diligent efforts have been made to produce the witness or evidence.
(3) If the testimony or the evidence would be admissible in the proceeding, and the adverse party stipulates in writing or on the record that it is to be considered as actually given in the proceeding, there may be no adjournment unless the court deems an adjournment necessary.
(D) Order for Adjournment; Costs and Conditions.
(1) In its discretion the court may grant an adjournment to promote the cause of justice. An adjournment may be entered by order of the court either in writing or on the record in open court, and the order must state the reason for the adjournment.
(2) In granting an adjournment, the court may impose costs and conditions. When an adjournment is granted conditioned on payment of costs, the costs may be taxed summarily to be paid on demand of the adverse party or the adverse party's attorney, and the adjournment may be vacated if nonpayment is shown by written statement verified under MCR 1.109(D)(3).
(E) Rescheduling.
(1) Except as provided in subrule (E)(2), at the time the proceeding is adjourned under this rule, or as soon thereafter as possible, the proceeding must be rescheduled for a specific date and time.
(2) A court may place the matter on a specified list of actions or other matters which will automatically reappear before the court on the first available date.
(F) Death or Change of Status of Attorney. If the court finds that an attorney
(1) has died or is physically or mentally unable to continue to act as an attorney for a party,
(2) has been disbarred,
(3) has been suspended,
(4) has been placed on inactive status, or
(5) has resigned from active membership in the bar, the court shall adjourn a proceeding in which the attorney was acting for a party. The party is entitled to 28 days' notice that he or she must obtain a substitute attorney or advise the court in writing that the party intends to appear on his or her own behalf. See MCR 9.119.
Amendment History
Michigan tracks the orders that adopt and amend its Court Rules in a separate administrative record rather than printing a history note beneath each rule in the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own May 1, 2026 update; for the full order-by-order history of this rule, see the Michigan Supreme Court’s rules and orders page.
Plain-English Summary
Adjournments of trials, ADR sessions, pretrial conferences, and motion hearings all run through this rule. A request generally has to come by written or oral motion or stipulation, showing good cause, and it has to identify who is asking, why, and how many earlier adjournments the case has already had — a request for a second or third adjournment has to say so plainly, so the court can weigh the full history rather than just the latest ask.
Adjourning because a witness or piece of evidence isn't available gets extra scrutiny: the motion has to come as soon as the problem is discovered, and the court can only grant it on a finding that the missing evidence is material and that real effort went into trying to produce it. If the other side is willing to stipulate that the missing testimony or evidence would come in exactly as expected, the court generally won't adjourn at all unless it decides an adjournment is still necessary. When an adjournment is granted, the court can attach costs and conditions, including summarily taxed costs payable on demand, and can vacate the adjournment if those costs go unpaid; the proceeding then generally gets a new date and time right away, though a court can instead place the matter on a list that automatically comes back up on the next available date. Separately, if an attorney handling the case dies, becomes unable to continue, or is disbarred, suspended, or otherwise leaves active practice, the court has to adjourn the proceeding and give the party 28 days' notice to find a new lawyer or tell the court it will proceed unrepresented.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to show to get a trial or hearing adjourned?
Good cause, presented by written or oral motion or stipulation that identifies who is asking, why, and how many adjournments the case has already had.
Is it harder to get an adjournment because a witness isn't available?
Yes. The motion has to come as soon as possible after the problem is discovered, and the court can only grant it on finding the evidence is material and that real, diligent efforts were made to produce the witness or evidence.
Can the court make me pay costs for getting an adjournment?
Yes. The court can condition an adjournment on payment of costs, which can be taxed summarily and paid on demand, and it can vacate the adjournment if those costs go unpaid.
What happens if my attorney becomes unable to continue on my case?
If the court finds that your attorney has died, become unable to continue, or been disbarred, suspended, placed on inactive status, or resigned, it must adjourn the proceeding and give you 28 days' notice to get a new lawyer or tell the court you'll represent yourself.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.503). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Michigan (Mich. Const. 1963, art. VI, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: adjournment Michigan courtmotion to adjourn trial Michiganunavailable witness adjournmentattorney withdrawal adjournment Michigan