Postponements

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How to Change Your Court Hearing Date

Court forms are available at California Courts – Forms. Select “Small Claims” from the pull down menu. Forms are also available at the Court Clerk’s office. Completed Sample Forms are available here. Starting September 2, 2021 all litigants in Small Claims Court can appear virtually or telephonically for FREE. Read the details from the court here.

What is postponement?

A postponement of a court date typically means you are asking the court to delay the scheduled trial date. The court usually considered the request on a case-by-case basis before approving or denying the request.

Here are some examples of why you may request a postponement:

• You need more time to prepare for your case.
• You are unable to locate and serve the defendant.
• You had a previously booked vacation before you knew about the case.
• Your key witness or expert witness is not available for the hearing date.
• A medical reason, job obligation or a family emergency, etc.

Are there fees to postpone my court date?

Yes. If you have not served the Defendant, you can request an SC-150 Request to Postpone Trial free of charge. If you have served the Defendant or are the Defendant, you can request a Postponement and pay a $10 fee.

How do I postpone the hearing?

If you want to postpone the court date, you must submit your request at least 10 days before your court date. You will need the SC-150 Request to Postpone Trial and the SC-112A Proof of Service by Mail.

• Complete the SC-150 and make a copy for all other Plaintiff(s) and Defendant(s) in the case.
• Have someone over the age of 18 years and not a party to the case mail a copy to all other Plaintiff(s) and Defendant(s) and complete the SC-112A Proof of Service by Mail.
• File with the court the original SC-150 and the original SC-112A completed by the person who mailed the copies.
• If applicable, mail a check for $10, made payable to “Los Angeles Superior Court”.

NOTE:

• If you are the Plaintiff and have not served the Defendant, there is no fee to request a postponement.
• If you are the Defendant, there is a $10 fee to request a postponement.
• If submitting your request less than 10 days before the court hearing, the judge will make the decision on the date of the hearing.

How will I get the judge’s decision?

The court will mail you its decision using the SC-152 Order on Request to Postpone Trial. The Order will provide one of the following:

• If approved, will contain your new court date.
• If denied, the trial will remain as originally scheduled. The court will provide the reason for the denial.
• If you don’t get a response from the court, you should still attend the court hearing as originally scheduled.