Rule 37.5 . Stipulations and motions to continue or vacate a hearing.

(a) Generally. (1) Hearings may not be removed from the calendar or continued by calling or emailing the clerk’s office or the judge’s chambers. (2) No stipulation for a continuance of hearing between the parties or their attorneys will be considered or granted by the court unless the parties provide a reason for the requested continuance. (3) An unfiled written stipulation and order to continue a hearing signed by both parties may be submitted to chambers prior to the time of hearing by hand delivery or regular mail only. The court may remove the hearing from the calendar or require the parties to appear and put the stipulation on the record. If the hearing is removed from the calendar, the court will set a new hearing upon receipt of the original stipulation and order. The mere filing of a stipulation to continue or vacate a hearing, however, does not guarantee that the hearing will be continued or vacated. If the court does not issue an order continuing or vacating the hearing, the parties must appear and be prepared to proceed with the hearing. (4) Immediately below the title of any motion or stipulation to continue a hearing there shall also be included a statement indicating whether it is the first, second, third, etc., requested continuance of a hearing. (b) The parties may not stipulate to remove a trial, preliminary hearing, or evidentiary hearing without also obtaining court approval by order. (c) A party may file an ex parte motion to continue a hearing, explaining why it could not be obtained by stipulation. Such a motion must be supported by affidavit. The court may: (1) Grant or deny the motion; or (2) Require that notice be given to all other parties if it had not already been given and entertain a summary written response to the request or conduct a telephonic conference within a time to be specified by the court of not less than 1 judicial day.