A proposed order is a draft court order submitted for a judge to review, edit, sign, or reject.
Parties often submit proposed orders after filing a motion, reaching a settlement, attending a hearing, or being directed by the court to prepare an order. The proposed order states what the submitting party wants the court’s order to say.
Why a proposed order matters
Proposed orders help courts convert decisions into precise written directions. They may set deadlines, grant or deny relief, approve procedures, dismiss claims, compel action, or memorialize rulings.
The proposed order is not effective merely because a party submits it. It becomes a court order only if the judge signs it or otherwise enters it under the court’s procedure. Judges can revise proposed language or reject it entirely.
Where it appears
Proposed orders appear in motion practice, discovery disputes, injunction requests, settlement approvals, default requests, case management, continuances, and post-hearing submissions. Some courts require a proposed order with certain filings.
How it differs from nearby terms
A proposed order is different from a court order. A court order is issued or entered by the court; a proposed order is a draft.
It is also different from a motion. The motion asks the court to do something. The proposed order supplies draft language for what the court could sign if it grants relief.
Practical example
A party files a motion asking to extend a discovery deadline. The party attaches a proposed order stating the new deadline and any related instructions. The judge may sign it as written, change it, or deny the motion.
Related terms
Quick check
If a party drafted it, it is proposed. If the court entered it, it is an order.