Rule 52.Findings and conclusions by the court; judgment on partial findings.

Last verified July 1, 2026

In one sentenceRule 52 requires a judge trying a case without a jury to state findings of fact and conclusions of law when a party asks, and lets the court enter judgment on part of a case once a party has been fully heard on an issue.

Full Text of Rule 52

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d)

(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.

End

Amendment History

Promulgated by R-16-0010, effective January 1, 2017.

Plain-English Summary

In a case tried on the facts without a jury, or with an advisory jury, the court must find the facts specially and state its legal conclusions separately if a party requests this before trial. The findings can be stated on the record, in a minute entry, or in a written opinion, and the same requirement applies when a court grants or denies an interlocutory injunction. Findings aren't required when ruling on a Rule 12 or Rule 56 motion, or most other motions, and a master's findings become the court's own to the extent the court adopts them. A party can question the sufficiency of the evidence behind the findings later, regardless of whether it requested findings or objected at trial, and findings of fact won't be set aside unless clearly erroneous, with real deference given to the trial court's read on witness credibility.

A party can move to amend or add to the findings within 15 days after judgment, a deadline that generally cannot be extended, and this motion can accompany a Rule 59 new-trial motion. Separately, once a party has been fully heard on an issue during a nonjury trial and the court would rule against it, the court may enter judgment against that party on any claim or defense that depends on a favorable finding on that issue — though the court can also choose to wait until all the evidence is in. Parties may also skip a full trial altogether by submitting an agreed statement of facts, which the court must decide the case on unless it finds the statement insufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to request findings of fact, or does the judge make them automatically?

You have to request them before trial. Without a request, the court isn't required to state findings and conclusions separately.

Can the findings be given orally instead of in writing?

Yes. They can be stated on the record after the close of evidence, or appear in a minute entry or written opinion.

What is a "judgment on partial findings" and when can the court enter one?

It's a judgment entered against a party on a claim or defense before the trial ends, once that party has been fully heard on an issue the claim or defense depends on and the court would rule against it. The court can also wait until the close of evidence instead.

Can I challenge the sufficiency of the trial court's findings even if I didn't object at trial?

Yes. A party may question the evidentiary support for findings later regardless of whether it requested findings, objected, or moved to amend them.

Source & verification. The rule text and History are reproduced verbatim from the official Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure (Ariz. R. Civ. P. 52). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Arizona (Ariz. Const. art. 6, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: findings of fact rulebench trial findings rule