No continuance shall be granted in any of the courts in this state which have a continuous session for 30 days or more, over the objection of the adverse party, where the cause for the same can be obviated by a postponement to a later day during the term. It shall be the duty of the presiding judge, whenever a motion and a proper showing for a continuance are made by either party at any time, to set the case down for a later day during the same term if it is practicable thereby to avoid the continuance of the case.
OCGA § 9-10-168