Ala. Code §§ 6-6-310 to 6-6-353 § 6-6-318
Courts Deemed Always Open.
Operative Text
Courts having jurisdiction under this article must be held open at all times for the consideration and determination of questions arising under this article, and judgments had thereon without delay.
Under Ala. Code § 6-6-318, courts with jurisdiction over unlawful detainer and related eviction proceedings are required to remain continuously available to hear and decide matters arising under this article, and to issue judgments without unnecessary delay. This provision ensures that neither landlords nor tenants face procedural barriers caused by court scheduling that would postpone the resolution of possession disputes. The rule reflects a legislative intent that housing-related court proceedings move promptly through the judicial system.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Ala. Code § 6-6-318 means that when a landlord initiates an unlawful detainer or eviction action under this article, the court is obligated to be available to hear the matter and render a judgment without delay. Compliant operators generally file their actions with complete documentation so that proceedings can move forward as soon as the court takes up the matter. Because courts are deemed always open under this provision, there is no procedural basis for claiming that a case cannot be heard due to court unavailability.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Ala. Code § 6-6-318, the same continuous court availability that applies to landlord-initiated actions also applies to tenants who need to raise defenses or counterclaims in eviction proceedings. Tenants should be aware that because courts are required to act without delay, response times in these proceedings may be shorter than in ordinary civil matters. Tenant-rights organizations in Alabama can help individuals understand how this provision affects the timeline of their case and what procedural options may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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