Mo. Rev. Stat. § 476.220

Whenever in his opinion the public good requires, or whenever it is necessary for the dispatch of business, any circuit judge may, by written order filed with the clerk, call a special term of court for the trial or other disposition of any civil or criminal cause or matter pending therein. At such term the court may exercise its ordinary and usual jurisdiction in all cases wherein the parties have been given five days' previous notice in writing of the calling of the term to be given by the judge or clerk and served upon the parties or their attorneys or agents in the manner provided by section 506.100, and likewise in all causes and matters where notice is waived.