Arizona § 45-252 - General adjudication; representation; superior court; assignment to judge; personnel funding; petition
Full text of Arizona Arizona Revised Statutes § 45-252 — General adjudication; representation; superior court; assignment to judge; personnel funding; petition, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 45-252. General adjudication; representation; superior court; assignment to judge; personnel funding; petition
A. One or more water users on a river system and source, the water rights of which have not been previously adjudicated under this article and administered by the director of water resources, or this state on the request of any state agency other than the department of water resources may file a petition to have determined in a general adjudication the nature, extent and relative priority of the water rights of all persons in the river system and source.
B. The attorney general shall represent this state in connection with all water claims asserted by this state. The director shall be represented by legal counsel retained in accordance with section 45-104, subsection F.
C. The general adjudication shall be brought and maintained in the superior court in the county in which the largest number of potential claimants resides. The clerk of the court in which the petition is filed shall notify the supreme court, and the supreme court shall assign the general adjudication to a superior court judge and appoint a master and shall consolidate the general adjudication with other pending general adjudications, if appropriate.
D. The supreme court may appoint additional paralegals and law clerks for the general adjudication. Notwithstanding section 12-128, the superior court judge, master, paralegal and law clerk positions prescribed in this subsection and subsection C of this section shall be fully funded by this state.
E. The petition for a general adjudication shall be captioned: "In re the general adjudication of all rights to use water in the ____________ river system and source" and shall request that the court determine the nature, extent and relative priority of the water rights of all persons in the river system and source.
Source: official Arizona text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona § 45-252
What does Arizona Revised Statutes § 45-252 cover?
Section 45-252 ("General adjudication; representation; superior court; assignment to judge; personnel funding; petition") is part of the Arizona Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Arizona. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Arizona § 45-252?
A common citation format is "Arizona Revised Statutes § 45-252" (Arizona). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Arizona law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Arizona official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Arizona attorney.
How does Arizona § 45-252 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Arizona can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Arizona.