Ind. Elkhart Cnty. Local Rule LR20-AR00-103

103.1. Court’s Hours of Operation

103.1.1. Judicial Days

The Courts shall be in session Monday through Friday, legal holidays excluded, and during such other

hours as each court may, from time to time, direct.

103.1.2. Legal Holidays

The Courts will follow the schedule for legal holidays authorized by the Board of County Commissioners

of Elkhart County, subject to change due to emergencies or the operational needs of the Court.

103.1.3. Emergency Closure

When weather conditions or other emergencies arise, the individual court may be closed at the direction of

the Judge of the Circuit Court or a Judge of the Superior Court. If a closing is announced, the Court and

the Clerk of the Court shall make reasonable efforts to notify attorneys and litigants scheduled to attend

court on that date or time.

103.2. Daily Calendar

Each regularly presiding Judicial Officer will maintain a separate calendar. The calendar of cases set for

hearing on a given day will be posted to effectuate knowledge for all citizens except as restricted by statute

or Rules of the Indiana Supreme Court.

103.3. Hearing on Matters Other Than Trials

Each Judge or other Judicial Officer as appropriate shall reserve periods of time for hearing matters other

than contested trials, such as pre-trial and post-trial motions, rules to show cause, defaults, uncontested

dissolutions of marriage, etc. As necessary to minimize conflicts in scheduling, the Judges, or other

Judicial Officer as appropriate shall set these schedules after consultation. Hearings shall be scheduled as

follows.

103.3.1. Scheduling Uncontested or Routine Matters

Routine matters, procedural motions, domestic relations applications for provisional relief and contempt

proceedings, uncontested petitions for dissolution of marriage, and all other matters appropriate for

summary consideration and disposition will be heard on routinely set hearing dates.

103.3.2. Scheduling Contested or Complicated Matters

Other matters that will require a hearing reasonably estimated to last more than twenty (20) minutes will

be scheduled as the Court’s calendar allows. Counsel or a party proceeding without an attorney should

contact the chambers of the assigned Judge or other Judicial Officer as appropriate to arrange for an

appropriate hearing date and time.

103.4. Trials

Trial settings will be scheduled by the Judge or other Judicial Officer as appropriate. Counsel or a party

proceeding without an attorney should submit a proper pleading to request a trial date, to schedule a pre-trial conference or case management conference.

103.5. Prompt Appearance at Hearings and Trials

Prompt appearance at the time scheduled for all hearings and trials is important for the Court, counsel,

and parties. Should an occasion arise when counsel or a party proceeding without an attorney reasonably

anticipates that the person will be late for a scheduled hearing or trial, they shall immediately notify the

court.

103.6. Penalties for Failure to Comply

Unless good cause is shown, the failure of counsel or a party to comply with this rule or to appear for a

scheduled hearing or trial may result in a default pursuant to the Trial Rules or may be enforced by direct

contempt of court, which may result in a monetary fine or other appropriate penalty including jail time.