The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying plaintiff’s oral motion to continue the trial presented at the start of what was scheduled to be the first day of trial. Under Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1332(b), a party seeking a continuance of a trial must do so by written motion or ex parte application with a supporting declaration showing good cause. An oral motion on the first day of trial doesn’t comply and so is properly denied. County of San Bernardino v. Doria Mining & Engineering Corp. (1977) 72
Cal.App.3d 776, 781. Here, plaintiff had no good cause for a continuance. Its prior counsel withdrew two months before trial, yet plaintiff didn’t get around to hiring new counsel until a week before trial. Nothing in the appellate record explained or excused that delay.