(a) The suit shall stand for trial at the first term of the court after complaint may be filed, if four (4) weeks in the case of a nonresident or unknown defendant as set out in § 14-123-413, or twenty (20) days in the case of resident defendants as set out in § 14-123-413, shall expire either before the first day of the term or during the term of the court to which the suits are brought, respectively, unless a continuance is granted for good cause shown within the discretion of the court.
(b) Continuances for good cause shown may be granted as to a part of the lands of defendants without affecting the duty of the court to dispose finally of the others as to whom no such continuances may be granted.