Arizona

Civil Procedure

Civil Procedure

Rule 52 – Findings and Conclusions by the Court; Judgment on Partial Findings

(a) Findings and Conclusions

(1)Generally. In an action tried on the facts without a jury or with an advisory jury, if requested before trial, the court must find the facts specially and state its conclusions of law separately. The findings and conclusions may be stated on the record after the close of the evidence or may appear in an opinion, minute entry or memorandum of decision filed by the court. Judgment must be entered under Rule 58.
(2)For an Interlocutory Injunction. In granting or refusing an interlocutory injunction, the court must state the findings and conclusions that support its action as provided in Rule 52(a)(1).
(3)For a Motion. The court is not required to state findings or conclusions when ruling on a motion under Rule 12 or 56 or, unless these rules provide otherwise, on any other motion.
(4)Effect of a Master’s Findings. A master’s findings, to the extent adopted by the court, must be considered the court’s findings.
(5)Questioning the Evidentiary Support. A party may later question the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the findings, whether or not the party requested findings, objected to them, moved to amend them, or moved for partial findings.
(6)Setting Aside the Findings. Findings of fact, whether based on oral or other evidence, must not be set aside unless clearly erroneous, and the reviewing court must give due regard to the trial court’s opportunity to judge the credibility of witnesses.
(b) Amended or Additional Findings. On a party’s motion filed no later than 15 days after the entry of judgment, the court may amend its findings-or make additional findings-and may amend the judgment accordingly. This deadline may not be extended by stipulation or court order, except as allowed by Rule 6(b)(2). The motion may accompany a motion for a new trial under Rule 59.
(c) Judgment on Partial Findings. If a party has been fully heard on an issue during a nonjury trial and the court finds against the party on that issue, the court may enter judgment against that party on a claim or defense that, under the controlling law, can be maintained or defeated only with a favorable finding on that issue. The court may, however, decline to render any judgment until the close of the evidence. A judgment on partial findings must be supported by findings of fact and conclusions of law if requested as required by Rule 52(a).
(d) Submission on Agreed Statement of Facts. The parties may submit a matter in controversy to the court on an agreed statement of facts, signed by them and filed with the clerk. The court must render its decision based on the agreed statement unless it finds the statement to be insufficient.

Ariz. R. Civ. P. 52

Amended effective January 1, 2017.