AMENDMENT OF COMPLAINTS, ANSWERS, AND COUNTERCLAIMS; CONTINUANCES

The court shall be lenient in the allowance of changes or amendments to complaints, answers, and counterclaims, and in granting continuances of trials for good cause shown when necessary to serve the ends of justice. However, except in unusual circumstances, no party shall be allowed more than one continuance in any case and all continuances must have the specific approval of the court. Continuances shall be for as short a period as possible, and, where feasible, the wishes of the party not requesting the continuance shall be considered in scheduling a new hearing date. Raising a claim, defense, or counterclaim for the first time at trial shall constitute grounds for a continuance when necessary to serve the ends of justice.