Legal Definitions - short-cause calendar

A short-cause calendar is a court's specific scheduling list for trials or hearings that are anticipated to be brief, typically lasting a day or less. Courts use this calendar to efficiently manage cases that involve limited legal issues, fewer witnesses, or smaller amounts of money in dispute, allowing for quicker resolution and better utilization of judicial resources.

• Example 1: Landlord-Tenant Dispute Over a Security Deposit

  Imagine a tenant suing their former landlord to recover a $1,200 security deposit. The tenant claims the landlord wrongfully withheld the money for damages that existed before they moved in, while the landlord argues the damages were new. Both parties have a few photos and their lease agreement as evidence, and neither plans to call expert witnesses. The court would likely place this case on a short-cause calendar.

  This example illustrates a short-cause calendar because the dispute is financially modest, involves a limited number of facts, and requires minimal testimony, making it suitable for a quick resolution within a single court session.

• Example 2: Simple Breach of Contract Claim

  Consider a small graphic design firm suing a client for non-payment of a $5,000 invoice for a completed website design. The client acknowledges receiving the design but claims a minor aesthetic detail was not to their satisfaction, justifying their refusal to pay. The trial would involve testimony from the firm's owner and the client, and presentation of the contract and invoices.

  This scenario fits the short-cause calendar because the core disagreement is narrow, the monetary amount is relatively small, and the evidence is straightforward, allowing the judge to hear and decide the matter efficiently in a short timeframe.

• Example 3: Uncontested Divorce Hearing

  In a situation where a divorcing couple has already reached a comprehensive agreement on all aspects of their separation, including asset division, child custody, and support, they would schedule a hearing for a judge to review and approve their stipulated agreement. This hearing is primarily procedural, ensuring the agreement meets legal standards and is fair to both parties and any children involved.

  This type of hearing is often placed on a short-cause calendar because, without any contested issues, the judge's role is to confirm the validity of an existing agreement rather than to resolve disputes, making it a brief and focused court appearance.