Where a party seeks to vacate hearing dates at the commencement of a hearing, an adequate explanation for the lateness of the application is the starting point. Unless such an explanation is provided, the court is not obliged, absent exceptional circumstances, to examine the prejudice that an adjournment might cause to the other party or the precise impact on the court's efficient operation. An expectation that the matter would settle, without further detail about the timing of negotiations and the position immediately before the hearing, does not constitute an adequate explanation.
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