It is generally recognized that a trial court has inherent power or authority to control or manage its trial calendar and to take whatever reasonable actions are necessary to maintain control of its docket. The court is afforded wide discretion in the maintenance of its docket, and any decision pertaining thereto will not be overturned without a showing of breach or abuse of that discretion.
Technically, the primary responsibility for moving a case on for trial rests with the plaintiffs and their attorneys, not the defendants or the trial court. Rule 16(b)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that the case may be set for trial as part of the scheduling order by the district judge or magistrate judge.
