Harris County District Courts Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICALCivil cases

Responsive pleadings must be filed by 3:00 PM on the last business day before the hearing, with holiday adjustment; late filings not considered.

Any responsive pleading must be filed by 3:00 pm the last business day before the hearing. If Friday before oral hearing setting is a Court holiday, then responsive pleadings must be filed by 3:00 PM on the Thursday before. Late filed responsive pleadings will not be considered by the court.

CRITICAL

Deadline

1 business days

Exhibits must be sent to the Court by 2:00 p.m. on the business day before the hearing, and late exchange may result in exclusion.

For all settings, exhibits must be exchanged by the parties and sent to the Court by 2:00 p.m. the business day before the hearing. Failure to timely exchange exhibits may result in the exclusion of those exhibits.

CRITICALCivil cases

All pleadings must be filed by 4:00 pm on the Monday before the hearing; late pleadings will not be considered.

All pleading must be filed by 4:00 pm the Monday before the hearing. Late filed pleadings will not be considered by the court.

CRITICAL

Failure to appear at the virtual docket call may result in dismissal for want of prosecution.

Failure to appear the virtual docket call will be grounds for dismissal for want of prosecution.

CRITICAL

The virtual docket call is held 2 weeks before trial on Mondays at 8:00 am via Zoom.

The virtual docket call is held 2 weeks before trial on Monday at 8:00 am via ZOOM.

CRITICAL

Submission docket occurs on Mondays at 8:00am with proper notice, excluding holidays and dead weeks.

Submission docket are Mondays at 8:00am with proper notice, exclude any Holidays and Dead Weeks.

CRITICALCivil cases

Oral Monday dockets close the Wednesday before at noon; notices must be filed by then.

The oral Monday dockets close the Wednesday before at 12:00 pm noon. Your notice must be filed by this date.

CRITICALCivil cases

The Court Clerk will remove noncompliant motions from the docket and notify the requesting party.

PLEASE NOTE: The Court Clerk will remove from the docket any motions that do not comply with this rule and will notify the requesting party of the same.

CRITICALCivil cases

The first motion to retain may be granted only if substitute service was granted at least six months before filing.

The first Motion to Retain may be granted only if a Motion for Substitute Service was granted at least 6 months prior to the filing.

CRITICALCivil cases

File a proposed Final Judgment before contacting the Clerk for a minor-settlement hearing date.

A proposed Final Judgment must be filed before contacting the Clerk to obtain a hearing date on the minor’s settlement.

CRITICAL

Deadline

1 business days

Exhibits must be sent to the Court by 2:00 p.m. on the business day before the hearing.

For all settings, exhibits must be exchanged by the parties and sent to the Court by 2:00 p.m. the business day before the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

All expert witness challenge motions must be set for hearing before the trial date.

Parties shall set all motions to challenge expert for hearing before the trial date. Parties should not wait until the day of trial to challenge expert testimony.

CRITICALCivil cases

File a notice of oral hearing only after the clerk provides a hearing date and time, not before.

Once the clerk has provided a hearing date and time, then file a notice of oral hearing, not before.

CRITICALCivil cases

Parties must exchange motions in limine before the pre-trial conference as required by the pre-trial order.

The parties must exchange motions in limine prior to the pre-trial conference in accordance with the pre-trial order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Responsive pleadings must be filed by noon on the last business day before the hearing.

Any responsive pleading must be filed by 12:00 p.m. on the last business day before the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

The electronic jury-charge copy is due by 4:00 p.m. on the day before trial begins.

Each party shall provide the Court with an electronic copy in Microsoft Word format no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day before trial begins.

CRITICALCivil cases

Responsive pleadings are due by 12:00 p.m. on the last business day before the hearing, and late responses will not be considered.

Any responsive pleading must be filed by 12:00 p.m. on the last business day before the hearing. Late-filed responses will not be considered.

CRITICALCivil cases

Submission docket filings are due Mondays at 8:00 AM with proper notice.

Submissions are Mondays at 8:00 AM with proper notice.

CRITICALCivil cases

Expert-exclusion motions should be filed and set for hearing well before trial.

All motions to exclude experts should be filed AND set for hearing WELL IN ADVANCE OF TRIAL.

CRITICALCivil cases

Responsive pleadings must be filed by 4:00 pm on the last business day before the hearing.

Any responsive pleading must be filed by 4:00 pm the last business day before the hearing.

WARNINGCivil cases

After settlement notice, parties have 45 days to submit proposed final judgment/dismissal, with consequences for failure.

Once the Court is notified of the settlement, the Parties have 45 days to submit a proposed final judgement/dismissal. Parties who fail to submit a proposed judgment/dismissal will be ordered to appear in person. If the Parties do not appear, the case will be dismissed for want of prosecution. Failure to obtain an enforceable settlement agreement will not be good cause to avoid dismissal or to reinstate the case.

WARNING

Self-represented litigants should arrive at least thirty minutes early for court to allow time for parking, security, and locating the courtroom.

Always get to court on time. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least thirty minutes early in order to allow for time to locate parking, clear the security check and locate the proper courtroom.

WARNING

Motions challenging deposition excerpts or expert witnesses must be set for hearing before the trial date if an advance ruling is sought.

If you seek an advance ruling on deposition excerpts or expert witness challenges, please set all motions to challenge for hearing before the trial date.

WARNING

MSJ submission dockets are held on Tuesdays.

MSJ submission dockets are on Tuesdays.

WARNING

Parties should exchange and file motion in limine, exhibits, exhibit lists, witness lists, deposition excerpts, and objections before the assigned trial.

The parties should exchange and file motion in limine, exhibits, exhibit lists, witness lists, deposition excerpts, and any objections before the assigned trial.

WARNING

Hearing dates must be selected within the court's 30-day scheduling window.

When selecting a date please stay within the courts 30-day window to select a date.

WARNINGCivil cases

Responses, replies, and sur-replies filed after Thursday at 11:00 am before a Monday hearing are unlikely to be considered.

Any responses, replies, sur-replies, etc. filed after the Thursday before at 11:00 am for a Monday oral hearing are unlikely to be considered by the Court prior to the hearing.

WARNINGCivil cases

Parties should make every effort to file necessary replies or sur-replies by Thursday before a Monday hearing.

Please do everything in your power to file any necessary replies (or sur-replies, etc.) by Thursday before a Monday hearing.

WARNINGCivil cases

If objections remain, then the party seeking to exclude the testimony should file a motion to rule on the objections as soon as possible so that the court can promptly rule on the objections prior to voir dire.

If objections remain, then the party seeking to exclude the testimony should file a motion to rule on the objections as soon as possible so that the court can promptly rule on the objections prior to voir dire.

WARNINGCivil cases

Replies filed after noon Friday for a Monday oral hearing are unlikely to be considered.

Any replies that are filed after Friday at NOON for a Monday oral hearing are NOT LIKELY to be considered by the Court.

WARNINGCivil cases

The Court may refuse to consider responses or replies filed after noon Friday before a Monday oral hearing or submission.

The Court reserves the right to refuse to consider responses or replies filed after noon on a Friday before a Monday oral hearing or submission setting.

WARNINGCivil cases

Parties must file proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law before the day of trial per the pre-trial order.

Parties should file their proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law with the Court prior to the day of trial in accordance with the pre-trial order.

WARNINGCivil cases

Counsel should consult the Docket Control Order for the appropriate filing time for no-evidence summary judgment motions.

Counsel should consult the Docket Control Order regarding the appropriate timing for filing such motions.

WARNINGCivil cases

The Court is unlikely to consider an expert-exclusion motion on the eve of trial or the morning of trial.

The court is not likely to consider such a motion on the eve, or morning, of trial.

WARNINGCivil cases

Continuance motions should be filed early.

Continuance motions should be filed early.

INFOCivil cases

The Court may extend the 14-day settlement filing deadline if appropriate.

The Court may extend this deadline if appropriate.

CRITICAL

Responses must be filed and served at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

Must be filed and served at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

CRITICAL

The fully signed proposed order must be filed before the entry date.

If the order has all signatures, file the proposed order before your entry date for the judge’s signature.

CRITICALCivil cases

Motions to exclude or challenge expert evidence must be filed and set for hearing at least 30 days before trial.

Any Motions to exclude or challenge expert evidence must be filed and set for hearing on a date at least thirty days prior to trial.

CRITICAL

Written vacation designations for months other than June, July, or August must be filed with the District Clerk by February 1.

Written designation for vacation weeks in months other than June, July, or August must be filed with the District Clerk by February 1.

CRITICAL

A Respondent must make the required disclosure within 30 days after filing a first pleading or making a general appearance, whichever occurs first.

b) by a Respondent within 30 days after he or she files Respondent's first pleading or makes a general appearance in the case, whichever occurs first.

CRITICAL

Written vacation designations for June, July, or August must be filed with the District Clerk by May 15.

Written designation for vacation weeks during June, July, or August must be filed with the District Clerk by May 15.

CRITICAL

A Petitioner or Movant must make the required disclosure within 30 days after the Respondent files a first pleading or makes a general appearance.

a) by a Petitioner or Movant within 30 days after the Respondent files Respondent’s first pleading or makes a general appearance in the case;

CRITICAL

If an order has all signatures, the proposed order must be filed before the entry date for the judge’s signature.

If the order has all signatures, file the proposed order before your entry date for the judge’s signature.

CRITICAL

Responses must be filed at least 3 days before submission and served by that deadline, or earlier if statute or rule requires it.

Must be filed and served at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

CRITICAL

Judgments and orders must be submitted to the court for signing within ten days after rendition, unless the court directs otherwise.

All judgments and orders must be submitted to the court for signing within ten (10) days from the date of rendition, unless otherwise directed by the court.

CRITICAL

If an order has all signatures, the proposed order must be filed before the entry date for the judge’s signature.

If the order has all signatures, file the proposed order before your entry date for the judge’s signature.

CRITICAL

If a respondent has not appeared, a case may be dismissed unless a return of service or a properly executed waiver is on file before the dismissal date.

If a respondent has not appeared, a case may be dismissed unless a return of service or a properly executed waiver is on file before the dismissal date.

CRITICAL

If all respondents have appeared, the case may be dismissed unless it is settled and proven up before the dismissal date, trial is set and approved within 90 days of that date, or a motion to retain is granted before that date.

If all respondents have appeared, the case may be dismissed unless: (1) the case has been settled and proven-up before the dismissal date, (2) trial has been set and approved to occur within 90 days of the dismissal date, or (3) before the dismissal date, a motion to retain has been granted by the court.

CRITICAL

Responses must be filed and served at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

Must be filed and served at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

CRITICAL

Any response to a motion set for submission must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

The notice must state that: (1) the motion will be heard by submission; (2) no party may appear for the hearing in person; and (3) any response to the motion must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or longer if required by statute or rule.

CRITICALCivil cases

If no judgment is filed within 14 days after the court is notified of settlement, the case is dismissed for want of prosecution.

Cases are dismissed for want of prosecution if no judgment is filed within 14 days after the court is notified of settlement (this time may be extended where necessary).

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

1 calendar days

Final Judgments must be filed at least 1-2 days before the Minor Settlement hearing.

All Final Judgments must be filed at least 1-2 days before the Minor Settlement hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Motions to exclude or challenge expert evidence must be filed and set for hearing at least thirty days before trial.

Any Motions to exclude or challenge expert evidence must be filed and set for hearing on a date at least thirty days prior to trial.

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

CRITICAL

Deadline

24 hours

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.

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

48 hours

The proposed order must be filed at least 48 hours before submission or oral hearing.

You must file a proposed order with your motion at least 48 hours prior to your submission or oral hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Motions on the submission docket require 10-day notice; otherwise they will be automatically passed.

Motions placed on a submission docket without the requisite 10-day notice will be automatically passed by the Clerk of the Court.

CRITICAL

Counsel has fourteen days to file an Agreed Judgment or Final Non-Suit after announcing settlement.

Counsel has fourteen days to file an Agreed Judgment or Final Non-Suit with the Court.

CRITICAL

A summary judgment hearing notice must be sent no less than 21 days before the hearing date.

a hearing Notice must sent NO LESS THAN 21 days prior to the hearing date.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

7 calendar days

Exchange and file deposition excerpts as soon as practical, but no later than 7 days before voir dire.

Deposition excerpts shall be exchanged and filed as soon as practical but no later than 7 days prior to the voir dire examination.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

35 calendar days

An MSJ set for oral hearing must be set between the 35th and 60th day after the motion is filed.

An MSJ, if set for an oral hearing, must be set 35 days after the motion is filed and before the expiration of 60 days from the date the motion is filed. In other words, the motion must be set between the 35th and 60th day after the filing of the motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

If no oral hearing notice is filed, the MSJ is automatically placed on the submission docket on the first Monday after 35 days.

If no oral hearing notice is filed by the movant, the Court will automatically place the motion on the submission docket on the first Monday after the expiration of 35 days.

CRITICALCivil cases

Extending the MSJ setting deadline to 90 days requires a Rule 11 agreement filed into the case file.

If the movant wishes to extend the setting deadline to 90 days, a rule 11 agreement must be filed into the case file.

CRITICALCivil cases

Related motions, agreed orders, or nonsuits/dismissals must be on file prior to the DWOP date.

The Dismissal for Want of Prosecution (DWOP) docket is a no-appearance docket. Please have any related motions, agreed orders, or nonsuits/dismissals on file prior to your DWOP date.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

10 calendar days

The submission docket is every Monday at 8:00 am with at least ten days' notice; no reservation is needed.

The submission docket is every Monday at 8:00 am with at least a ten-day notice. There is no need to reserve a date with the clerk for the submission docket. Simply choose an appropriate date and file your notice.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

3 calendar days

File objections to deposition excerpts no later than 3 days before voir dire.

Objections to the excerpts shall be filed no later than 3 days prior to voir dire examination.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

14 calendar days

Additional motions in limine and exhibits must be exchanged among all parties no later than 14 days before voir dire.

Motions in Limine which are in addition to the Court's Standing Motion in Limine, and exhibits must be exchanged among all parties pursuant to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, but no later than 14 days before voir dire examination.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

24 hours

File the appointee fee and proposed final judgment 24 hours before the minor-settlement hearing.

Please ensure the appointee fee and proposed final judgment are filed 24 hours prior to the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Expert-exclusion motions should be filed and set well before trial; a motion filed after the docket-control-order deadline will not be considered without leave demonstrating exceptionally good cause.

All motions to exclude experts should be filed AND set for hearing WELL IN ADVANCE OF TRIAL. The court will NOT consider such motions filed after the deadline in the docket control order without a motion for leave demonstrating exceptionally good cause.

CRITICALCivil cases

A final judgment or other dispositive e-filing should be submitted within 14 days after settlement notice, or the case may be dismissed; the Court may extend the deadline if appropriate.

If a final judgment or other dispositive efiling is not submitted within fourteen (14) days after the Court is notified of the settlement, the case may be dismissed for want of prosecution. The Court may extend this deadline if appropriate.

CRITICALCivil cases

The submission docket is Monday at 8:00 a.m. and requires 10 days’ notice.

Submission docket is on Monday at 8:00 AM after 10 days’ notice.

CRITICALCivil cases

Submit disputed jury-questionnaire questions to Judge Hughes by submission or oral hearing before docket call.

If there are any questions not agreed on, you need to present them to Judge Hughes by submission or oral hearing PRIOR to the docket call.

CRITICAL

If a respondent has not appeared, a case may be dismissed unless a return of service or a properly executed waiver is on file before the dismissal date.

If a respondent has not appeared, a case may be dismissed unless a return of service or a properly executed waiver is on file before the dismissal date.

CRITICAL

The Court sets the entry date for final orders, and failure to enter the order by that date may result in dismissal.

Entry dates on final orders will be set by the Court in its rendition or at an oral prove-up of an agreement. Failure to enter the order before that date may result in dismissal of the case.

CRITICAL

When all respondents have appeared, the case may be dismissed unless it is settled and proven up before the dismissal date, trial is set and approved to occur within 90 days of that date, or a motion to retain is granted before that date.

If all respondents have appeared, the case may be dismissed unless: (1) the case has been settled and proven-up before the dismissal date, (2) trial has been set and approved to occur within 90 days of the dismissal date, or (3) before the dismissal date, a motion to retain has been granted by the court.

CRITICAL

Responses must be filed at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

Must be filed and served at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

CRITICAL

If an order has all signatures, the proposed order must be filed before the entry date.

If the order has all signatures, file the proposed order before your entry date for the judge’s signature.

CRITICAL

Deadline

1 business days

Exhibits must be sent to the Court by 2:00 p.m. on the business day before the hearing.

For all settings, exhibits must be exchanged by the parties and sent to the Court by 2:00 p.m. the business day before the hearing.

CRITICAL

The Court sets the final-order entry date in its rendition or at an oral prove-up, and failure to enter the order by that date may result in dismissal.

Entry dates on final orders will be set by the Court in its rendition or at an oral prove-up of an agreement. Failure to enter the order before that date may result in dismissal of the case.

CRITICAL

Responses to motions set for submission must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

The notice must state that: (1) the motion will be heard by submission; (2) no party may appear for the hearing in person; and (3) any response to the motion must be on file at least 3 days before the submission date, or longer if required by statute or rule.

CRITICAL

Responses must be filed and served at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

Must be filed and served at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

CRITICAL

When the order has all signatures, the proposed order must be filed before the entry date.

If the order has all signatures, file the proposed order before your entry date for the judge’s signature.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

24 hours

Responses to motions must be filed at least 24 hours before the hearing.

E-File responses to motions at least 24 hours prior to the hearing and include a proposed order.

CRITICAL

Answers should be mailed within a reasonable amount of time prior to the hearing date.

Please mail your answer within a reasonable amount of time prior to your hearing date.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

7 calendar days

Parties must file and exchange specified trial documents 7 days before trial or per the pre-trial order.

Parties need to file and exchange exhibit lists, motions in limine, deposition offers, proposed jury charges, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law 7 days prior to trial, or in accordance with the Courts pre-trial order.

CRITICAL

The parties should exchange motions in limine, exhibit lists, witness lists, deposition excerpts and any objections thereto at least five (5) days prior to the assigned trial. Discuss the matters among yourselves and attempt agreements.

The parties should exchange motions in limine, exhibit lists, witness lists, deposition excerpts and any objections thereto at least five (5) days prior to the assigned trial. Discuss the matters among yourselves and attempt agreements.

CRITICAL

Motions to exclude experts must be filed and set for hearing at least 30 days before trial.

All motions to exclude experts should be filed AND set for hearing well in advance of trial (at least 30 days). Do not wait until the eve of or morning of trial to file your motion.

CRITICAL

Motions placed on the submission docket must be noticed for submission at least 10 days from filing, or the hearing will be passed.

Motions set for submission must be noticed for submission at least ten (10) days from filing, except on leave of the Court. Submission hearings set without timely notice will result in the Court passing the hearing.

CRITICAL

Deadline

24 hours

Responses must be filed at least 24 hours before the hearing or they may be treated as no opposition.

All responses should be filed at least 24 hours before the hearing unless otherwise required at a different time under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. The failure to file a written response prior to the hearing or submission date may be considered a representation of no opposition.

CRITICAL

A summary-judgment motion may not be set for hearing less than 35 days after the motion is filed.

All MSJ must be set no sooner than 35 days after the motion has been filed.

CRITICAL

A default judgment for unliquidated damages requires an oral hearing on Mondays at 10:30 AM with at least ten days' notice.

Default judgments asking for unliquidated damages will need an oral hearing on Mondays at 10:30am with a ten days’ notice.

CRITICALCivil cases

Summary judgment motions must be heard within 60 days of filing or be automatically denied without prejudice.

PER RULE 166A: Motions for Summary Judgment must be heard within 60 days of filing. If a Motion for Summary Judgment is not set or heard within 60 days, it will be automatically denied without prejudice.

CRITICALCivil cases

If a reset is granted, the summary judgment motion must be heard within 90 days of filing or be automatically denied without prejudice.

If the reset is granted, the motion MUST be heard within 90 days of filing, or the motion will be automatically denied without prejudice.

CRITICAL

If a respondent has not appeared, a case may be dismissed unless a return of service or a properly executed waiver is on file before the dismissal date.

If a respondent has not appeared, a case may be dismissed unless a return of service or a properly executed waiver is on file before the dismissal date.

CRITICAL

When all respondents have appeared, the case may be dismissed unless one of the listed settlement, trial-setting, or motion-to-retain conditions is met.

If all respondents have appeared, the case may be dismissed unless: (1) the case has been settled and proven-up before the dismissal date, (2) trial has been set and approved to occur within 90 days of the dismissal date, or (3) before the dismissal date, a motion to retain has been granted by the court.

CRITICAL

If an order has all signatures, file the proposed order before the entry date.

If the order has all signatures, file the proposed order before your entry date for the judge’s signature.

CRITICAL

Responses must be filed and served at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

Must be filed and served at least 3 days before the submission date, or earlier if required by statute or rule.

CRITICALCivil cases

Motions set for submission must be noticed for submission at least ten (10) days from filing, except on leave of the Court.

Motions set for submission must be noticed for submission at least ten (10) days from filing, except on leave of the Court.

CRITICAL

Submit orders and judgments for the Court's signature within 15 days after the hearing, unless the Court specifies otherwise.

All orders and judgments must be submitted for the Court's signature within fifteen (15) days from the date of the hearing unless otherwise specified by the Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Late-filed responses will not be considered.

Late-filed responses will not be considered.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

10 calendar days

Set motions for severance on the Monday 8:00 a.m. submission docket with ten days’ notice.

Motions for Severance should be set on the submission docket, any Monday at 8:00 a.m. with ten days’ notice.

CRITICALCivil cases

A motion challenging expert testimony must be filed and set for hearing at least 30 days before trial.

Any motion to exclude or otherwise challenge expert testimony must be filed and set for hearing at least thirty (30) days before trial.

CRITICALCivil cases

A supplemental certificate of conference must be filed at least 3 days before the submission/hearing date for discovery motions.

Further, a Supplemental Certificate of Conference should be filed notating further efforts to resolve the discovery disputes at least 3 days before the submission/hearing date for the motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

Motions to exclude experts must be filed and heard 30 days before trial, with exception for good cause.

All motions to exclude experts should be filed and heard 30 days prior to trial. The Court will NOT consider such motions filed after the deadline in the docket control order without a motion for leave demonstrating exceptionally good cause.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel has sixty days to file an Agreed Judgment or Final Non-Suit after settlement announcement.

Counsel has sixty days to file an Agreed Judgment or Final Non-Suit with the Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

A final order must be filed three days before the structured settlement hearing.

The Court requires the party to seek evaluator services. A Final Order must be filed three days in advance of the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

For minor settlement hearings, final order and ad litem fee report must be filed three days before the hearing.

Regarding Minor Settlement Hearings, a Final Order and the Attorney Ad Litem's Fee Report must be filed three days in advance of the hearing.

WARNING

Failing to enter a final order by the court-set entry date may result in dismissal.

Failure to enter the order before that date may result in dismissal of the case.

WARNINGCivil cases

Parties must not file responses to motions within 2 days of the hearing on that motion.

Unless otherwise governed by statute or by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, parties are not to file a response to any motion within two (2) days of their hearing date on that motion.

WARNING

Failure to enter a final order by the date set by the Court may result in dismissal.

Failure to enter the order before that date may result in dismissal of the case.

WARNING

If all respondents have appeared, the case may be dismissed unless: (1) the case has been settled and proven-up before the dismissal date, (2) trial has been set and approved to occur within 90 days of the dismissal date, or (3) before the dismissal date, a motion to retain has been granted by the court.

If all respondents have appeared, the case may be dismissed unless: (1) the case has been settled and proven-up before the dismissal date, (2) trial has been set and approved to occur within 90 days of the dismissal date, or (3) before the dismissal date, a motion to retain has been granted by the court.

WARNING

Deadline

7 working days

The judge must sign judgments and orders within seven working days after submission for entry, unless the court rejects them.

All judgments and orders submitted for entry must be signed by the judge within seven (7) working days from the date that the judgments or orders are submitted for entry, unless the judgment or order is rejected by the court.

WARNING

Failure to enter a final order before the court-set entry date may result in dismissal of the case.

Failure to enter the order before that date may result in dismissal of the case.

WARNING

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.

WARNINGCivil cases

Deadline

24 hours

Objections to deposition excerpts should be made in writing more than 24 hours before the deposition is used at trial.

Excerpts should be reviewed and objections made in writing more than 24 hours before that deposition is to be used at trial.

WARNING

All summary judgments should be set and heard at least thirty days before trial.

ALL Summary Judgments should be set and heard at least thirty days PRIOR to trial.

WARNING

Parties must inform the Court of their ADR strategy by the DCO deadline.

The DCO will have a deadline for the parties to inform the Court of their ADR strategy.

WARNING

Objections to ADR should be filed by the deadline in the DCO.

An objection to ADR should be filed by the deadline specified in the DCO.

WARNING

Deadline

3 hours

Cases on the two-week docket may be called to trial with three hours' advance notice.

Cases on the docket during a two-week period may be called to trial with a three (3) hour advance notice.

WARNING

Dead weeks are scheduled for Regional Conference (April 20, 2026), State Bar Convention (June 18, 2026), Annual Conference (September 7, 2026), and Christmas Week (December 22, 2025).

Dead Week Schedule Regional Conference Week of April 20th, 2026 State Bar Convention Week of June 18th, 2026 Annual Conference Week of September 7th, 2026 Christmas Week Week of December 22nd, 2025

WARNING

If a respondent has not appeared, the case may be dismissed unless a return of service or properly executed waiver is on file before the dismissal date.

If a respondent has not appeared, a case may be dismissed unless a return of service or a properly executed waiver is on file before the dismissal date.

WARNING

If all respondents have appeared, dismissal may be avoided if the case is settled and proven-up before the dismissal date, trial is set and approved to occur within 90 days of that date, or the court grants a motion to retain before that date.

If all respondents have appeared, the case may be dismissed unless: (1) the case has been settled and proven-up before the dismissal date, (2) trial has been set and approved to occur within 90 days of the dismissal date, or (3) before the dismissal date, a motion to retain has been granted by the court.

WARNINGCivil cases

Summary judgments should be heard at least 1 month prior to trial.

Summary judgments should be heard at least 1 month prior to trial.

WARNING

Most motions must receive at least 10 days' notice before being set on Monday's submission docket at 8:00 AM.

Submission docket takes place on Monday at 8:00 AM after 10 days’ notice for most motions.

WARNING

Motions for Severance should be set on the submission docket, any Monday at 8:00am with ten days’ notice.

Motions for Severance should be set on the submission docket, any Monday at 8:00am with ten days’ notice.

WARNINGCivil cases

Summary judgment motions must be heard at least one month before trial; late-filed motions are addressed at the Court's discretion.

Summary judgments must be heard at least one month before trial. Late-filed summary judgments will be addressed at the Court's discretion.

WARNING

The Court sets the entry date for final orders, and failure to enter an order by that date may result in dismissal.

Entry dates on final orders will be set by the Court in its rendition or at an oral prove-up of an agreement. Failure to enter the order before that date may result in dismissal of the case.

WARNINGCivil cases

If no final judgment or other dispositive filing is submitted within 14 days after settlement notice, the case may be dismissed for want of prosecution.

If a final judgment or other dispositive filing is not submitted within fourteen (14) days after the Court is notified of the settlement, the case may be dismissed for want of prosecution.

WARNINGCivil cases

A no-evidence summary-judgment motion filed before discovery ends will likely be denied without prejudice; counsel should consult the Docket Control Order on timing.

Any no-evidence motion for summary judgment filed before the discovery period has elapsed will likely be DENIED without prejudice. Counsel should consult the Docket Control Order regarding the appropriate timing for filing such motions.

WARNINGCivil cases

If no final judgment or other dispositive filing is submitted within 14 days after settlement notification, the case may be dismissed, although the Court may extend the deadline.

If a final judgment or other dispositive filing is not submitted within fourteen (14) days after the Court is notified of the settlement, the case may be dismissed for want of prosecution. The Court may extend this deadline if appropriate.

WARNINGCivil cases

Motions for severance should be set on the submission docket for a Monday at 8:00 a.m., with 10 days’ notice.

Motions for Severance should be set on the submission docket, any Monday at 8:00 a.m. with ten days’ notice.

WARNINGCivil cases

Deadline

30 calendar days

If no judgment is filed within 30 days of settlement notice, the case may be dismissed for want of prosecution, subject to extension.

Cases may be dismissed for want of prosecution if no judgment is filed within 30 days after the court is notified of settlement (this time may be extended where necessary).

INFO

Parties should brief or bring cases on unusual legal and evidentiary issues before the pretrial conference.

Please brief and/or bring cases on unusual legal and evidentiary issues before the pretrial conference.

INFOCivil cases

Cases are set on a two-week trial docket with no docket positions; if not reached, the Court automatically resets the trial date.

All cases are set on a two-week trial docket. There are no docket positions; cases will be set for a date certain by the Trial Coordinator. If a case is not reached within the two-week docket the Court will automatically issue an order resetting the trial date.