Notice Of Motion
The court document that tells the other party what order is requested in an application.
Definition
A notice of motion usually works with a founding affidavit and sets out the relief sought, time periods, hearing or set-down information, and what the other side must do if they oppose. It is different from summons because it starts or advances motion proceedings rather than ordinary action proceedings.
In a South African legal context, notice of motion should not be treated as an isolated dictionary word. It usually sits inside a broader civil procedure process, and that process can affect what documents are needed, which deadlines matter, and what next step is sensible.
Key takeaways
The court document that tells the other party what order is requested in an application.
Civil Procedure
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How it applies
Notice Of Motion often matters when a person is dealing with Court application and Civil litigation. The term can shape how the problem is described, which facts matter, and what evidence should be gathered.
Related resources such as Court Process Timeline Map and Civil Litigation Consultation Pack help turn the concept into a practical preparation path before a consultation or formal step.
Related legal problems
This glossary provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Common situations
Court application
Court application where the person needs to understand how notice of motion affects the next legal step.
Civil litigation
Civil litigation where the person needs to understand how notice of motion affects the next legal step.
Next steps
What usually happens next
Start by using the definition and related questions on this page to place the issue inside the correct civil procedure pathway.
Use the related resource path for Court Process Timeline Map and Civil Litigation Consultation Pack to prepare documents, dates, facts, or questions before speaking to a lawyer or firm.
When the matter is urgent, disputed, document-heavy, or deadline-sensitive, move from research into lawyer discovery through Litigation Lawyers Johannesburg or compare support through Litigation Firms.
Related resources
Resources and guides
Court Process Timeline Map
Process resource for summons, notices, pleadings, hearings, judgment, and enforcement milestones.
Civil ProcedureClient Document PackCivil Litigation Consultation Pack
Prepare a civil procedure document pack by organising identity, authority, core matter records, official records, correspondence, financial records, deadline notes, and fee questions.
Civil ProcedureFAQs
Notice Of Motion FAQs
What is a notice of motion?
What is a notice of motion starts with the definition above, but the practical meaning depends on where it appears in the civil procedure process. Use the related Affidavit term, resources, and lawyer searches to understand the next step.
What is an application?
What is an application starts with the definition above, but the practical meaning depends on where it appears in the civil procedure process. Use the related Affidavit term, resources, and lawyer searches to understand the next step.
What must I do if I receive one?
What must I do if I receive one depends on the facts, risk, documents, and the stage of the civil procedure process. Use Court Process Timeline Map to prepare, then consider whether lawyer or firm support is needed.
Do I need an affidavit with a notice of motion?
Do I need an affidavit with a notice of motion depends on the facts, risk, documents, and the stage of the civil procedure process. Use Court Process Timeline Map to prepare, then consider whether lawyer or firm support is needed.
Find legal help
Lawyers and firms
Need help with civil procedure?
Use this term as context, then compare relevant lawyers or law firms for your next step.