40 Assignment of cases for trial

Before a court sets a trial date, everyone involved in the case must get fair notice that a date is about to be picked. This means the court can't quietly choose a trial date without telling the people in the case first.

The only people who are guaranteed this notice are those who are keeping up with the case, meaning they haven't ignored deadlines or failed to respond as required. If someone is in default, like they never answered the lawsuit or missed important filings, the court doesn't have to give them the same heads up.

This rule protects your ability to plan for trial. It gives you a chance to prepare, arrange your schedule, get a lawyer if you need one, and gather evidence before the trial date locks in. If you're actively participating in your case, the court owes you this basic notice before setting the trial date.