Judge Christine Weems
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 1 copy • Email
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideDocument Filing Requirements17 rules
Orders on motions to withdraw must include contact information for the pro se party.
The order for severance must include the documents to be included in the severed case.
Motions for substituted service under Rule 106 must be accompanied by an affidavit containing the specified verification and attempt details.
Court's wording
All Motions for Substituted Service under Rule 106 must be accompanied by an affidavit that: Describes the efforts taken to verify that the Defendant actually lives or works at the subject address; Shows at least four attempts of service at different times of day with the specific dates and times; Details regarding the identity of the person/people present at the subject address and state what was said; Provide the identity of the owners of any vehicles in the driveway; and Include any other information or indications that the Defendant resides at the subject address.
Motions to withdraw leaving a party pro se must include the party's contact information, a consultation statement, and current deadlines and trial settings.
Court's wording
Motions in which party will be pro se after the attorney withdraws must include: the party's telephone number; the party's address; the party's email address; a statement regarding consultation with the party regarding the motion; and current deadlines and trial settings.
Motions that request attorneys fees will require, in addition to the attorney affidavit, an itemization of the work done including: i. the date the work was performed; ii. the work that was performed; iii. the amount of time expended for each task; and iv. the billable
A withdrawing attorney representing a corporation must notify the corporation that it cannot proceed pro se and of the consequences of not obtaining counsel within 30 days.
Court's wording
If the withdrawing attorney represents a corporation, she/he must notify the corporation that: Corporations cannot proceed pro se in Texas courts; and That if the corporation has not obtained counsel within 30 days of the order of withdrawal, either its claims may be dismissed if it is the plaintiff or their pleadings may be struck and a default judgment may be entered if it is the defendant.
Attach a copy of the discovery response at issue or state verbatim the request and answer in the body of your motion.
All motions and responses must include a proposed order.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Proposed order
The Certificate of Conference must state the dates and methods of contact, and should describe efforts to communicate if the other side was not reached.
- Document
- Certificate
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Court's wording
The Certificate of Conference must contain the dates and methods by which contact was made. If a party was unable to reach the other side prior to filing the motion, the certificate should state the efforts to communicate with that party including the date and means.
Motion to substitute counsel must indicate whether the attorney being replaced has agreed to the substitution and must have the appropriate certificates of conference and service.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Certificate of service
- •Certificate of conference
Applicants must also affirm that professional liability coverage is in effect and will remain current.
Applicants for the guardian ad litem list must submit a written request with a complete resume detailing their civil trial experience and any special capabilities.
Court's wording
Those wishing to be included in the Court’s list must submit a written request with a complete resume that details the nature of the applicant’s experience as a civil trial practitioner. Special capabilities, such as fluency in languages other than English, financial background, and the like, should also be listed.
The Order granting the substituted service should comport with this form to be found here.
The proposed order should list each discovery issue separately so that the court may deny or grant each issue.
Counsel understands that by requesting a preferential setting, they agree to the following:To waive all vacations letters for that time period.
Both parties must agree to the request and file a motion with the court.
The Motion to Request a Preferential Setting must include the basis for the preferential setting (i.e out of town witnesses, will take two (2) weeks or longer to try.)
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A motion for emergency/expedited hearing must be e-filed when only one side deems the matter an emergency.
If only one side feels that it is an emergency, they should e-file a motion for emergency/expedited hearing and email a courtesy copy directly to the Clerk who will then give it to the Court for review and to set an expedited hearing or provide further guidance.
Page 1 | Emergency or Expedited Hearing
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Responses should be filed at least 24 hours before the hearing, or the Court may disregard the pleadings.
All responses should be filed at least 24 hours before the hearing in order to give the Court adequate opportunity to review the filing. Failure to file a response 24 hours before the hearing could subject the result in the Court not taking the pleadings into consideration.
Page 1 | Oral Hearings
The parties should exchange and file with the Court exhibit lists, motions in limine, depositions offers and proposed jury charges or proposed findings of facts and conclusion at least three (3) days before trial or the Thursday before a Monday Trial setting.
The parties should exchange and file with the Court exhibit lists, motions in limine, depositions offers and proposed jury charges or proposed findings of facts and conclusion at least three (3) days before trial or the Thursday before a Monday Trial setting.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Pre-Trial Conference
Parties should set all motions to challenge experts for hearing at least seven (7) days before trial.
Parties should set all motions to challenge experts for hearing at least seven (7) days before trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Expert Challenges
Expert challenges must be filed by the date set in the Court's docket control order.
Expert challenges should be filed by the date set out in the Court's docket control order.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Expert Challenges
The Court generally does not grant motions to withdraw filed within 30 days of a dispositive event such as a trial setting or a summary judgment hearing.
The Court generally does not grant motions to withdraw that are filed within 30 days of a dispositive event, such as a trial setting or a hearing on a motion for summary judgment.
Page 1 | Motions to Withdraw
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The movant must serve all defaulting parties with the motion, proposed judgment, and notice of the hearing/submission pursuant to TRCP 21(a).
Movant must serve all defaulting parties with the motion, proposed judgment, and notice of the hearing/submission pursuant to TRCP 21(a).
Page 1 | Default Judgments
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When only one side deems a matter an emergency, e-file the emergency motion and email a courtesy copy directly to the Clerk.
If only one side feels that it is an emergency, they should e-file a motion for emergency/expedited hearing and email a courtesy copy directly to the Clerk who will then give it to the Court for review and to set an expedited hearing or provide further guidance.
Page 1 | Emergency or Expedited Hearing
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must confer with opposing counsel before filing all motions except for an enumerated list of exempt motion types.
You are required to confer with opposing counsel prior to filing all motions except for motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, pleas to the jurisdiction, motions to transfer venue, motions for voluntary dismissal/nonsuit, post-verdict motions, motions involving service of process or default judgments.
Page 1 | Certificate of Conference
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
No continuances will be granted to move from a preferential setting except for death or serious illness of a party/lead counsel or an immediate family member; witness unavailability is not grounds for a continuance.
That they understand that there will be no continuances granted to move from the preferential setting except for the death or serious illness of a party/lead counsel or an immediate member of her/his family (unavailability of a witness at the time of trial will not be grounds to continue a preferential setting); and
Civil cases
Page 1 | Preferential Settings
Any motion to continue a preferentially set case requires an oral hearing.
Any motion to continue a preferentially set case will require an oral hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Preferential Settings
Chambers Communication Rules
When both sides agree to an emergency hearing, call the Clerk to be placed on the next oral hearing docket or to set up a phone conference.
If both sides agree to an emergency/expedited hearing, call the Clerk to be put on the next oral hearing docket or to set up a phone conference with the Court.
Page 1 | Emergency or Expedited Hearing
Proposed jury charges should also be emailed directly to Raven Hubbard (email), the Trial Coordinator.
Proposed jury charges should also be emailed directly to Raven Hubbard (email), the Trial Coordinator.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Pre-Trial Conference
A party needing more than an hour for the pre-trial conference must schedule a separate pre-trial conference by contacting the Court Coordinator at the time of trial assignment.
Should a party anticipated needing more than hour for pre-trial conference, they must schedule a separate pre-trial conference with the Court by reaching out to the Court Coordinator and request a separate pre-trial conference at the time they are assigned for trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Pre-Trial Conference
Contact the Court Clerk to obtain a hearing date and time.
Please contact the Court Clerk to obtain a hearing date and time.
Page 1 | Oral Hearings
Phone appearance is permitted in certain circumstances; contact the Court Clerk regarding ZOOM appearances.
Appearance by phone is permitted in certain circumstances. Please contact the Court Clerk regarding ZOOM appearances.
Page 1 | Oral Hearings