Judge Suzanne Nicholls
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Communication
Chambers
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Forms of Orders should be submitted in WORD format rather than PDF or another document type.
Forms of Orders should be submitted in WORD format, instead of pdf or other document type.
Document Filing Requirements3 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
A request for a virtual appearance must be made by motion and explain why the appearance is necessary.
Virtual appearances may be permitted after the proper filing of a motion requesting such an appearance if deemed appropriate by the given facts. Please provide information outlining why you believe a virtual appearance is necessary to explain why the Court should deviate from its in-person requirement.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
A Form of Order must be lodged, not filed, with every motion.
You must submit (lodge – not file) a Form of Order with all motions.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Outside or personal recording of a hearing requires prior Court approval.
Outside or personal recording of a hearing by any means (e.g., cell phone, tape recorder, laptop, etc.) is prohibited without prior approval from the Court.
Requirement
Document requirement
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The Division strongly prefers that motions and other pleadings be filed through the Clerk of Court’s eFiling system.
This Division has a strong preference for motions and other pleadings to be filed through the Clerk of Court’s eFiling system.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A document directed by a Minute Entry or other Order must be filed by the date specified.
When a Minute Entry or other Order directs the parties to file a document, the Court expects that the document will be filed by the required date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Service and Proof of Service Rules
At filing, copies must be emailed to the Division and provided to the other party, together with a copy of the filing receipt.
Copies must be emailed to this Division and provided to the other party at the time of filing, along with copy of an eFiling or other filing receipt.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Written communications with the Court, including email, must copy the opposing party unless an exception permits ex parte communication.
All written communication with the Court, including email, must copy the opposing party unless a specific exception allows for ex parte communication.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
The request to file documents under seal must be lodged in paper form under Rule 5.4(e)(2).
The Division requires compliance with 5.4(e)(2) regarding the lodging the request to file documents under seal being provided in paper form so the Court may properly consider the request.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Requests to file a pleading or document under seal must comply with Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure 5.4, including subsections (d) and (e).
All requests to file a pleading or document under seal must comply with Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure 5.4, including, but not limited to Subsections (d-e).
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Filing Bundling Requirements
Motions, responses, replies, and other filings must be submitted individually; combined filings will not be accepted.
All motions, responses, replies and other filings must be submitted individually. Counsel shall not combine any motion with a responsive pleading. All motions are to be filed separately and designated as such. No filing will be accepted if filed in combination with another.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
If an opposing party does not participate in good faith, a party may file separately and notify the Court of the conduct or inaction that required separate filing.
If an opposing party fails to participate in the joint filing in good faith, a party may file the document separately and notify the Court of the opposing party’s conduct or inaction that necessitated the separate filing.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
A document must be filed jointly when a Rule or Court order requires joint filing.
When a Rule requires a document to be filed jointly, or the Court so orders, the document must be filed jointly.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Chambers Communication Rules
For an actual emergency or a hearing within the next several days, email the Division the pleading, proof of filing, and any Form of Order.
If you are filing a pleading that involves an issue that is an actual emergency or where there is a hearing in your case within the next several days, you must also email a copy of that pleading (with proof of filing), and including any Form of Order, to the Division to ensure that it is seen on time.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motion Practice