Harris County District Courts Document Format Requirements

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be pre-marked and numbered with numerals.

Exhibits must be pre-marked and numbered using numerals.

CRITICAL

The exhibit marking must appear on the document and correspond to the title of its exhibit file.

Exhibits must be pre-marked on the document itself, and the title of each exhibit file shall correspond with the pre-marked exhibit, for example, “Petitioner Ex. 01.”

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be pre-marked on the document, numbered with numerals, and named to match their exhibit marking.

Exhibits must be pre-marked and numbered using numerals. Exhibits must be pre-marked on the document itself, and the title of each exhibit file shall correspond with the pre-marked exhibit, for example, “Petitioner Ex. 01.”

CRITICAL

For property divisions involving marital estates with numerous assets or debts, the exhibits must include an editable file, such as an .xls file, containing the party’s proposed property division.

For property divisions involving marital estates with numerous assets or debts, include with the exhibits an editable file (i.e., .xls) containing the party’s proposed property division.

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be pre-marked on the document, numbered with numerals, and named to match the marked exhibit.

Exhibits must be pre-marked and numbered using numerals. Exhibits must be pre-marked on the document itself, and the title of each exhibit file shall correspond with the pre-marked exhibit, for example, “Petitioner Ex. 01.”

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be provided by emailing a cloud-storage share link to the designated exhibit email, with the required subject information and without using an account-required collaboration share feature.

Create and email a file share link using your cloud storage service to the designated exhibit email listed on the court’s website. The subject line of the email shall state the full cause number, your party identification, and the date of the court proceeding. Do not use the share feature intended for collaboration that requires an account with that service.

CRITICALCivil cases

All exhibits must be printed, indexed, and placed in a notebook for the Judge. The court reporter will accept exhibits from each party on flash drive.

All exhibits must be printed, indexed, and placed in a notebook for the Judge. The court reporter will accept exhibits from each party on flash drive.

CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Counsel must provide the Court with a hardcopy trial binder.

Counsel must provide the Court with a hardcopy trial binder.

CRITICALCivil cases

Proposed orders for substitute service or service by publication must use the Court's standard format.

All proposed orders for substitute service or service by publication be in the format of the Court's standard format.

CRITICALCivil cases

Do not alter or mark exhibits with a pen, pencil, or marker during court proceedings; altered exhibits will not be accepted.

Do not alter or mark through exhibits with pen/pencil/marker during court proceedings. Should this occur, the exhibit (s) will not be accepted.

CRITICAL

For property divisions involving marital estates with numerous assets or debts, the exhibits must include an editable file, such as an .xls, containing the party’s proposed division.

For property divisions involving marital estates with numerous assets or debts, include with the exhibits an editable file (i.e., .xls) containing the party’s proposed property division.

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be pre-marked with numerals on the document, and each exhibit file title must match its marking.

Exhibits must be pre-marked and numbered using numerals. Exhibits must be pre-marked on the document itself, and the title of each exhibit file shall correspond with the pre-marked exhibit, for example, “Petitioner Ex. 01.”

CRITICALCivil cases

The Court requires a copy of the proposed jury charge on a flash drive.

The parties must file their proposed charge and must provide the court with a copy on a flash drive.

CRITICAL

A proposed order attached to a motion to enter must not be marked with an exhibit label.

Movant must attach a proposed order to the motion to enter (do not mark with exhibit label) and the proponent must sign indicating approval as to form.

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be pre-marked on the document, numbered with numerals, and titled to match the pre-marked exhibit.

Exhibits must be pre-marked and numbered using numerals. Exhibits must be pre-marked on the document itself, and the title of each exhibit file shall correspond with the pre-marked exhibit, for example, “Petitioner Ex. 01.”

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must provide the Court Reporter a thumb drive containing an electronic copy of the exhibits.

Counsel must also provide the Court Reporter with a thumb drive containing an electronic copy of their exhibits.

CRITICALCivil cases

Demonstrative and blow-up exhibits must be marked and tendered in an 8½-by-11 format.

Any demonstrative or blow-up exhibit must also be marked and tendered in an 8½ x 11 format.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party may not present more than 20 minutes of videotaped deposition excerpts to the jury without first obtaining leave of Court.

No party shall present videotaped deposition testimony at trial in which the excerpts shown to the jury exceed twenty (20) minutes without first obtaining leave of Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Each party must provide the Court an electronic Microsoft Word copy by 4:00 p.m. on the day before trial.

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

Plaintiff and Defendant exhibits must use their respective exhibit stickers, and exhibits must be numbered rather than lettered.

Plaintiff’s exhibits must be marked with “Plaintiff’s Exhibit” stickers; Defendant’s exhibits must be marked with “Defendant’s Exhibit” stickers. Exhibits shall be numbered, not lettered.

CRITICALCivil cases

Exhibits must be clearly labeled without all-capital lettering and filed as separate documents.

Exhibits must be clearly labeled (without using all capital letters) and filed as separate documents.

CRITICALCivil cases

Multi-page exhibits must be stapled, bound, or otherwise securely assembled.

Multi-page exhibits must be stapled, bound, or otherwise securely assembled.

CRITICALCivil cases

All motions and proposed orders must be double-spaced.

All Motions and Proposed Orders MUST be double spaced.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must test courtroom equipment before trial; failure won't delay trial.

PRIOR TO THE START OF TRIAL, Counsel and/or counsel's Tech team MUST visit the Courtroom to test out the equipment. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL NOT DELAY THE TRIAL PROCEEDING AND COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE PARTIES WHO HAVE FAILED TO COMPLY.

WARNING

Do not use a collaborative sharing feature that requires the recipient to have an account with the service.

Do not use the share feature intended for collaboration that requires an account with that service.

WARNING

The inventory and appraisement submitted for a divorce default trial must be pre-marked.

In all divorces, a sworn inventory and appraisement must be pre-marked and submitted as an exhibit before the trial by default begins.

WARNING

A proposed order attached to a motion to enter must not be marked with an exhibit label.

Movant must attach a proposed order to the motion to enter (do not mark with exhibit label)

WARNING

In all divorces, a sworn inventory and appraisement must be pre-marked and submitted as an exhibit before the trial by default begins. (See Rule 6.4, above.)

In all divorces, a sworn inventory and appraisement must be pre-marked and submitted as an exhibit before the trial by default begins. (See Rule 6.4, above.)

WARNING

A proposed order attached to a motion to enter must not be marked with an exhibit label.

Movant must attach a proposed order to the motion to enter (do not mark with exhibit label) and the proponent must sign indicating approval as to form.

WARNING

Exhibits must be marked with party-specific stickers using numbers only (not letters), and parties must provide their own stickers.

Plaintiff’s exhibits are to be marked with “Plaintiff’s Exhibit” stickers. Defendant’s exhibits are to be marked with “Defendant’s Exhibit” stickers. Use only numbers when marking exhibits instead of letters. Parties should provide their own. In an emergency, a limited number of exhibit stickers may be obtained from the court reporter.

WARNING

An assigned exhibit number may not be reused for another exhibit, even if the original is withdrawn or unused.

Once an exhibit number has been assigned, the same exhibit number may not be used for another exhibit, even if the original exhibit is withdrawn or not used in the hearing or trial.

WARNINGCivil cases

For trial exhibits referencing depositions, provide a condensed version of the full deposition.

If an exhibit is referring to depositions in trial, please provide a CONDENSED version of the full deposition.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit courtesy copies must be in binders with individual tabs.

The exhibits must be in binders with individual tabs.

WARNINGCivil cases

Any exhibit with more than one page must be stapled, binder clipped, or contained in a notebook.

Please ensure any exhibit that has more than one page is stapled, binder clipped, or contained in a notebook.

WARNINGCivil cases

Mark exhibits with numbers rather than letters.

Exhibits should be marked with numbers, not letters.

WARNINGCivil cases

For any blowup exhibit, mark an exhibit sized 8 by 11.

Mark an 8 x 11 size exhibit for any blowup used.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

The Court may require longer or more complex proposed orders to be emailed to the Clerk in Word format; submissions should include a cover letter stating whether the order is agreed as to form.

In some instances, the Court may require that longer or more complex proposed orders be emailed to the Clerk in Word format. When submitting a proposed order, include a cover letter stating whether the order is agreed as to form.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Only after assignment to trial, the parties should email the Trial Coordinator their proposed charge in Microsoft Word format.

Only when actually assigned to trial, the parties should email the Trial Coordinator their proposed charge to the court in Microsoft Word format so that the court may compile the court’s charge as the trial proceeds.

WARNING

Exhibits must be pre-marked on the document, numbered with numerals, and named to match their pre-marked designation.

Exhibits must be pre-marked and numbered using numerals. Exhibits must be pre-marked on the document itself, and the title of each exhibit file shall correspond with the pre-marked exhibit, for example, “Petitioner Ex. 01.”

WARNING

A proposed order attached to a motion to enter must not be marked with an exhibit label.

Movant must attach a proposed order to the motion to enter (do not mark with exhibit label) and the proponent must sign indicating approval as to form.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

The Court may require modified orders to be submitted in Word format to the court clerk.

Occasionally, the Court may require the parties to submit modified orders to the Court clerk in Word format to the court clerk.

WARNING

All exhibits must be on a numerically labeled flash drive with hard copies for the Court and jurors.

Please have all exhibits on a flash drive numerically labeled. Have a hard copy for the Court and a hard copy for the jurors.

WARNINGCivil cases

E-filed pleadings must have full un-abbreviated titles, labeled exhibits, and proposed orders must not be attached as exhibits.

Type the entire title of your pleading. Do not abbreviate parts of the title. The clerks need the full and complete title of the pleading to insure proper filing. Do not split your documents in different envelopes. Clearly label all exhibits. Do not attach proposed orders as exhibits.

WARNING

Exhibits over 30 must be scanned to a CD with specific resolution and pixel requirements.

If you are offering more than 30 exhibits, please scan them to a CD. Scanned exhibits must have a resolution of 300 dots per inch (dpi). Photographic images other than documents (e.g., photos of physical exhibits) must be included within the computer file as images with a resolution of not less than 2,048 x 1,536 pixels (approximately 3 megapixels). Higher resolutions are not encouraged. If a full color rendition is necessary, color depth should be between 12-bit and 18-bit. Otherwise, grayscale images are encouraged.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

The Court may require longer or more complex proposed orders to be emailed to the Clerk in Word format.

In some instances, the Court may require that longer or more complex proposed orders be emailed to the Clerk in Word format.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

In some instances, the Court may require that longer or more complex proposed orders be emailed to the Clerk in Word format.

In some instances, the Court may require that longer or more complex proposed orders be emailed to the Clerk in Word format.

WARNINGCivil cases

Mark plaintiff exhibits with red Plaintiff’s Exhibit stickers and defendant exhibits with blue Defendant’s Exhibit stickers.

Plaintiff’s exhibits are to be marked with red “Plaintiff’s Exhibit” stickers. Defendant’s exhibits are to be marked with blue “Defendant’s Exhibit” stickers.

WARNINGCivil cases

Multi-page exhibits should be stapled, bound, or otherwise assembled for accurate preservation.

Exhibits with multiple pages should be stapled, bound and/or assembled so that they may be accurately preserved.

WARNINGCivil cases

All oral hearings are in-person only.

All Oral hearings are In-Person ONLY.

WARNINGCivil cases

All hearings are held in person.

All hearings are held in person

WARNINGCivil cases

Motions for summary judgment must be heard by submission only.

Motions for Summary Judgment are to be heard by Submission ONLY.

WARNINGCivil cases

Video depositions should be edited to remove long pauses between questions and answers.

Further, please edit the video depositions to remove long pauses between questions and answers, etc.

WARNINGCivil cases

Pleas to the jurisdiction and Rule 91A motions must be heard on the oral docket only.

Pleas to the Jurisdictions and 91A Motions are to be heard on the Oral Docket ONLY.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Only after assignment to trial, the parties should arrange with the Trial Coordinator to email their proposed jury charge to the court in Microsoft Word format for compilation during trial.

Only when actually assigned to trial, the parties should make arrangements with the Trial Coordinator to e-mail their proposed charge to the court in Microsoft Word format so that the court may compile the court’s charge as the trial proceeds.

WARNINGCivil cases

Use numbers, not letters, to mark exhibits.

Use only numbers when marking exhibits instead of letters.

WARNINGCivil cases

For an oversized exhibit, identify an 8.5-by-11-inch copy as an exhibit.

For over-sized exhibits, identify an 8.5 x 11 sized copy as an exhibit.

WARNINGCivil cases

When e-filing, type the full pleading title in the description field, label exhibits, avoid all caps, and keep titles to 10 words or fewer.

When filing documents, please type the entire title of your pleading in the description field and clearly label all exhibits. Do not use all caps. Please limit the title of documents to no more than 10 words.

INFOCivil cases

Although not required, the Court considers PDF files exchanged by flash drive, email attachments, or a cloud link to be the best and least expensive practice.

The court finds that the best and least expensive practice (this is not required) is to create .pdf (Adobe) files of these filings and the exhibits and exchange them on a flash drive or by sending them to opposing counsel an e-mail with attachments. A link to a cloud-based version of these documents is also acceptable.

INFO

Please bring your proposed Jury Charge on a flash drive or cd.

Please bring your proposed Jury Charge on a flash drive or cd.

INFOCivil cases

Footnotes are accepted; hyperlinked motions may be provided on a USB thumb drive with courtesy copies.

Footnotes on filings are accepted. If you have hyperlinks on motions that have been filed, you can provide a courtesy copy of the motion in a USB thumb drive with your courtesy copies.

WARNING

A draft of the proposed jury charge must be exchanged before pretrial, delivered in Word format to the court coordinator via email or via thumb drive.

Drafts of proposed jury charges should be a valid prior to the pretrial conference. Parties should email or bring a d drive with proposed charge in Word format to the court coordinator Justin Fitzgerald.

INFO

Exhibits must be numbered, and lists prepared for both the Court and the court reporter, with a hard copy given to the court reporter.

Use numbers for the exhibits, not letters. Have a list prepared for the Court and another for the court reporter. Additionally, parties should provide a hard copy of the court for the court reporter's the record.