Jefferson County District Courts
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Communication
Document Format Requirements5 rules
Audio and video exhibits may not exceed 5GB and must use one of the listed file extensions.
Court's wording
Audio and Video files: Files may not exceed 5GB. A list of valid extensions that these files must be submitted in are: .avi, .wmv, .wav, .mpg, .mid, .asf, .mpeg, .mp1, .mp2, .mp3, .mp4, .mp4v, .mpg, .ogg, .oga, .ogv, .webm.
Format of Exhibits: Documents: PDF
- File type
- Exhibits
extensions, the sponsoring party is not required to convert it to a .mp3 or .mp4 file. If it does not have any of those extensions, the sponsoring party shall convert it to an acceptable format.
Nothing other than what is offered as an Exhibit may be included on the audio or video media.
Physical evidence may be submitted via a photograph.
Document Filing Requirements40 rules
a notice of hearing is to be filed contemporaneously with the filing of a motion for summary judgment.
The notice of hearing shall be filed as a separate document.
Once the discovery period expires, the movant may request a rehearing on the summary judgment. A notice of hearing is to be filed along with the request for rehearing.
IT IS ORDERED that a copy of these orders shall be attached to all original petitions by the filing party.
IT IS ORDERED that a copy of these orders shall be attached to all original petitions by the filing party.
Include a date and time for the hearing that complies with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and any applicable local rules;
Allow sufficient time for notice to all parties;
Be coordinated with the Court Coordinator to confirm availability on the Court's docket.
Any party or attorney who files a Motion for Summary Judgment or Motion for Partial Summary Judgment in the 279th or 317th District Court shall, at the time of filing the motion, contemporaneously file a separate proposed order setting the motion for hearing.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Proposed order
Absent leave of court, no summary judgment shall be filed until the expiration of the discovery period.
Responses shall be in writing and accompanied by a proposed order.
- Document
- Response
Must include
- •Proposed order
A notice of hearing must be filed contemporaneously with each summary-judgment motion as a separate document.
Court's wording
To ensure the Courts are in compliance with the new rule, a notice of hearing is to be filed contemporaneously with the filing of a motion for summary judgment. The notice of hearing shall be filed as a separate document.
Before a motion or other contested matter is heard, the parties must make a good-faith attempt to resolve it, and the required certificate of conference extends to motions, pleas, and special exceptions subject to the listed exceptions.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Court's wording
Before any motion or other contested matter will be heard, the parties must make a good-faith attempt to resolve the disputed matter by agreement. Certificates of conference required by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure are extended to all motions, pleas and special exceptions except summary judgments, default judgments, agreed judgments, motions for voluntary dismissal or nonsuit, post-verdict motions and motions involving service of citation.
Motions shall be in writing and accompanied by a proposed order granting the relief sought. The proposed order shall be a separate instrument.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Proposed order
Once a hearing date has been confirmed with the court coordinator, a notice of hearing must be filed and served on all parties and state the time and date of the hearing and whether the hearing is an oral hearing or the matter will be heard by submission.
Motions by counsel to withdraw shall state whether or not the client has agreed to the withdrawal, and, if so, the motion shall be signed by the client evidencing such agreement.
Counsel must also provide, in the motion, the client's full address, email address and telephone number, and certify that the same are, as of the time of filing of the motion, still those of the client.
Once the Court has reviewed and approved the request to schedule a court proceeding to modify temporary orders, the requesting party may schedule the appropriate court proceeding and submit a Notice of Court Proceeding in compliance with these Local Rules.
If you are asking the Court to order temporary spousal support, child support or to divide expenses, in addition to information required under Texas Family Code §154.063, you must provide a financial information statement, paystubs, or other income reporting documents, as well as proof of expenses for temporary spousal support cases.
File a verified motion for continuance and email the coordinator to request a court proceeding (by submission, Zoom or in person).
Counsel or parties presenting any application for an ex parte order shall, at the time the application is presented to the Court, certify in writing that:
If you are asking the Court to order temporary spousal support, child support or to divide expenses, you must provide a financial information statement, paystubs, or other income reporting documents, as well as proof of expenses for temporary spousal support cases. These items should be exchanged at least twenty-four hours before the scheduled temporary court proceeding.
Discovery-sanction, discovery-ruling, and motion-to-compel papers must identify the disputed interrogatory or request and the disputed objection and response in the motion body.
Court's wording
All motions for discovery sanctions, request for rulings on discover objections, and motions to compel discovery shall set out within the body of the motion the interrogatory or request which is in dispute, and the objection and answer or response which is in dispute, so that all matters necessary for the Court's consideration are set out in the pleadings.
A subpoena directed at a non-party government employee must include a certificate documenting either the timely but unsuccessful contact attempt or the unsuccessful conference with an authorized representative.
Court's wording
The subpoena must include a certificate that provides the following information: - (a) The party timely attempted to contact the legal representative or chief executive officer on (list dates, times, methods of contact, and persons contacted) and provide a detailed message alerting the person of the reasons for the subpoena, but received no response; or - (b) The party conferred with an authorized representative and was unable to agree on a representative to appear or provide documents sought were critical for the following reasons: (list all reasons that apply)
Motions to Withdraw must comply with all requirements of Tex. R. Civ. P. 10.
The withdrawal motion and order must contain the client's last known physical and email address.
indicating whether it is approved by all parties as to form or substance
A final in-person pre-trial court proceeding is required for those cases being called to jury trial. This pre-trial court proceeding is required and must be included in the scheduling order at the time of filing.
Mediation is required and must be completed at least fourteen (14) days before any scheduled final court proceeding or trial that is expected to exceed three hours of court time. Scheduling orders without mediator name(s) will be rejected.
The parties are required to submit a proposed jury charge and Motions in Limine to the Court at the pre-trial court proceeding.
In every case involving children, the parties must file a pleading or statement describing health insurance for the children.
If the parties are asking the Court to divide property, a sworn, verified inventory listing all assets and debts must be filed at least seven (7) days before any final court proceeding.
Failure to file a proposed order setting a hearing concurrently with the motion may result in the motion being stricken, reset, or not considered until proper compliance is achieved.
- Document
- Motion
Include
- •Proposed order
Unopposed motions shall be labeled “Unopposed” in the caption.
- Document
- Motion
- Placement
- Caption
Must include
- •Unopposed
Advance notification is not required if:
If dates cannot be agreed to, please e-file a letter describing your efforts and attach all attempts at obtaining a signature for the scheduling order.
Counsel for Petitioner shall be responsible for preparing a comparative inventory with a proposed or requested division of property and debts.
If a party is asking the Court to order spousal support or divide expenses in the Final Decree, the parties must provide a financial information statement listing income and expenses.
Absent a setting by the movant, the summary judgment shall be set by the court.
All motions should comply with TRCP Rule 10.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All notices of settlement must be submitted in writing and electronically filed with the Court.
*PLEASE NOTE: ALL NOTICES OF SETTLEMENT MUST BE MADE IN WRITING AND EFILED WITH THE COURT.*
Civil cases
Page 6 | RULE 8 - GENERAL
If direct filing with the District Clerk is unavailable, self-represented litigants must use the electronic or e-filing system.
If direct filing with the District Clerk is not available, self-represented litigants must use the electronic or e-filing system.
Page 2 | 2.3 Document Filing and Electronic Filing
Attorneys must use the District Clerk's required or mandated electronic or e-filing system.
Attorneys must use the electronic or e-filing system required or mandated by the District Clerk.
Page 2 | 2.3 Document Filing and Electronic Filing
Self-represented litigants may electronically file or file directly with the District Clerk, subject to the District Clerk's discretion.
Self-represented litigants may use electronic filing or file documents directly with the District Clerk, at the discretion of the District Clerk.
Page 2 | 2.3 Document Filing and Electronic Filing
After receiving trial dates and conferring with the opposing party or counsel, the parties should electronically file the Court's Scheduling Order with the trial date and mediation details.
After receiving trial dates and conferring with the opposing party or counsel, please e-file the Court's form Scheduling Order (available on the Court's website) with the trial date and mediation details.
Page 7 | 5.2 Bench Trials
Electronic filing is permitted and mandated by TRCP 21(f) despite this standing order's confidentiality requirements.
Nothing in this standing order prohibits the use of electronic filing as mandated by TRCP 21(f).
Civil cases
Page 2 | STANDING ORDER ESTABLISHING CONFIDENTIALITY OF DFPS COURT RECORDS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A summary-judgment motion filed before discovery expires must be denied as prematurely filed.
If a summary judgment is filed prior to the expiration of the discovery period, an order shall be entered by the courts denying the motion based on the premature filing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Timing of Summary Judgment
Unless the court grants leave, a summary-judgment motion may not be filed before the discovery period expires.
Absent leave of court, no summary judgment shall be filed until the expiration of the discovery period.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Timing of Summary Judgment
Summary-judgment motions filed on or after September 1, 2025 must be heard within 60 days after filing.
all summary judgments filed on or after September 1, 2025, shall be heard within 60 days of filing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | IN RE: MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT PRACTICE
If the movant does not request a hearing setting, the court must set the summary-judgment hearing.
Absent a setting by the movant, the summary judgment shall be set by the court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | IN RE: MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT PRACTICE
After the court sets a summary-judgment hearing, the date and time may be reset only upon a written showing of good cause and a ruling by the court.
Once set by the Court, the hearing time and date will not be subject to reset without a showing of good cause, made in writing and ruled on by the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | IN RE: MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT PRACTICE
Summary judgments filed on or after September 1, 2025 must be heard within 60 days of filing.
all summary judgments filed on or after September 1, 2025, shall be heard within 60 days of filing.
Civil cases
Page 2 | RULE 3 – MOTIONS
A written designation of vacation in months other than June, July, or August must be filed with the district clerk by February 1.
Written designation for vacation in months other than June, July or August must be filed with the district clerk by February 1.
Civil cases
Page 8 | RULE 9. VACATIONS OF COUNSEL – Non-Summer Vacations
A written designation of vacation weeks in 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.
Civil cases
Page 8 | RULE 9. VACATIONS OF COUNSEL – Summer Vacations
Unless the Court orders otherwise, the parties must submit a written final judgment or order within 30 days after a reported settlement, rendition, or verdict.
Unless the Court orders otherwise, within 30 days after any reported settlement, rendition, or verdict, the parties shall submit to the Court a written final judgment or order, indicating whether it is approved by all parties as to form or substance.
Page 6 | 4.5 Final Judgments Due Within 30 Days
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The notice of hearing must be served on all parties after the hearing date is confirmed.
Once a hearing date has been confirmed with the court coordinator, a notice of hearing must be filed and served on all parties and state the time and date of the hearing and whether the hearing is an oral hearing or the matter will be heard by submission.
Civil cases
Page 3 | RULE 3 – MOTIONS
Withdrawing counsel must immediately notify the party in writing of the withdrawal order and any known settings or deadlines not previously communicated, with notice mailed to the party's last known address by both certified and regular first-class mail.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that withdrawing counsel shall immediately notify the party in writing of this ORDER and of any additional settings or deadlines of which the attorney has knowledge at the time of the withdrawal and has not already notified the party. Notice of delivery to a party shall be mailed to the party's last known address by both certified and regular first-class mail.
Civil cases
Page 7 | Withdrawal of Counsel
For a withdrawal that the client has not agreed to, counsel must provide evidence that the client received the motion and hearing notice at least 30 days before the hearing; agreed withdrawals are considered without a hearing.
In such agreed withdrawals, the Court will consider the motion without hearing, but in all other cases, the withdrawing attorney must provide evidence that the client has received a copy of the motion and notice of a hearing thereon at least 30 days in advance thereof.
Civil cases
Page 7 | Withdrawal of Counsel
If the attorney in charge withdraws and another attorney remains or is substituted, a new attorney in charge must be designated of record and notice must be given to all other parties under TRCP Rule 21a.
If the attorney in charge withdraws and another attorney remains or becomes substituted, another attorney in charge must be designated of record with notice to all other parties in accordance with TRCP Rule 21a.
Civil cases
Page 7 | Withdrawal of Counsel
If vacation plans are made after receipt of a trial-setting notice, the attorney must immediately notify the court and other parties with a request to reset the case for a different time.
(If plans for a vacation are made by an attorney after a trial setting notice has been received, the attorney will immediately notify the Court and other parties with a request that the case be reset for a different time.
Civil cases
Page 8 | RULE 9. VACATIONS OF COUNSEL – Summer Vacations
These items should be exchanged at least twenty-four hours before the scheduled temporary court proceeding.
These items should be exchanged at least twenty-four hours before the scheduled temporary court proceeding.
Page 1 | 3.5 Temporary Orders Court Proceedings
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Affidavits, court reports, and other documents filed in DFPS suits under Chapters 261, 262, and 264 of the Texas Family Code must be maintained as confidential by the District Clerk.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that access to affidavits, court reports, and other documents filed in a suit brought by DFPS pursuant to Chapters 261, 262, and 264 of the Texas Family Code are CONFIDENTIAL and shall be maintained by the District Clerk of Jefferson County as such.
Civil cases
Page 1 | STANDING ORDER ESTABLISHING CONFIDENTIALITY OF DFPS COURT RECORDS
Court records may be sealed only if a party files a written motion under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 76a.
Sealing Court Records. Court records may be sealed only upon a party's written motion pursuant to TRCP 76a.
Civil cases
Page 4 | RULE 5 - ADR AND SPECIAL PROCEDURES
Sensitive data must be redacted before filing; legally required sensitive data may be designated with a notice, and an unredacted filing must be replaced with a redacted substitute.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must follow Tex. R. Civ. P. 21c and must redact sensitive data before filing documents. If the inclusion of sensitive data is required by law, then the documents may be marked with a notice that the document contains sensitive data; otherwise the document must not contain that notice. If a party has filed a document containing unredacted sensitive data, that party must resubmit a redacted substitute document.
Page 2 | 2.4.1 Sensitive Data and Initials
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
An attorney or self-represented litigant must first send the Court a letter or written request, copied to the opposing party, identifying the requested modifications, the reasons for them, and the anticipated proceeding duration.
Attorneys or self-represented litigants requesting a court proceeding to modify temporary orders shall first send a letter or written request to the Court (copying opposing counsel or other self-represented litigants) identifying the provisions of the current temporary orders that you are requesting to modify, outlining the reason for the requested modification, and provide how long you anticipate the court proceeding to modify the temporary orders will last.
Page 1 | 3.5 Temporary Orders Court Proceedings
Before scheduling a proceeding to modify existing temporary orders in an open and active case, the requesting attorney or party must first obtain the Court's permission.
In any case in which temporary orders have been entered in an open and active case, whether by agreement of the parties or after a contested temporary orders court proceeding, any attorney or party requesting to modify the existing temporary orders must first request and receive permission from the Court before scheduling any court proceeding on said modification.
Page 1 | 3.5 Temporary Orders Court Proceedings
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance in a TRY OR DISMISS case, or any case lacking unanimous agreement to pass, requires a written motion presented to the court as soon as practicable.
In "TRY OR DISMISS" cases, or in cases where there is no unanimous agreement to pass, a written motion must be brought to the Court's attention for ruling as soon as practicable.
Civil cases
Page 4 | RULE 4 - SETTINGS OF CASES FOR TRIAL
A non-TRY OR DISMISS case may be continued by written agreement of all parties filed by the applicable docket-call date, or no later than two weeks before the first day of the docket month; the notice must identify who is charged with the continuance.
Continuances. A case which is not "TRY OR DISMISS" may be passed by agreement of all parties, in writing efiled with the Court, on or before the docket call date where applicable or no later than two weeks prior to the first day of the month of the docket on which the case is pending. The notice should state to whom the continuance is to be charged.
Civil cases
Page 4 | RULE 4 - SETTINGS OF CASES FOR TRIAL
Failure to mediate cannot support a requested continuance.
The failure to mediate will not be considered a basis for any requested continuance.
Page 3 | 3.2 Continuances
Any continuance of the final trial date requires court approval, even when all parties agree.
Court approval is required for any request for a continuance of the final trial date, even if the request is agreed to by all parties.
Page 3 | 3.2 Continuances
Any continuance of the final trial date requires court approval, a verified motion, and an emailed request to the coordinator for a court proceeding.
Court approval is required for any request for a continuance of the final trial date, even if the request is agreed to by all parties. File a verified motion for continuance and email the coordinator to request a court proceeding (by submission, Zoom or in person).
Page 7 | 5.5 Continuances
Chambers Communication Rules
After e-filing an ex parte motion and proposed order, counsel should alert the Court Coordinator by phone or email that action is desired; without notice, the request remains in the e-filing queue without action until reached.
If you file a motion requesting ex parte relief and submit your proposed order through e-filing, please call or e-mail the Court Coordinator and let them know that you want action taken on the request. If you do not call or email the Court Coordinator to alert them that you want the request addressed, it will remain in the e-filing queue without action until it is reached.
Page 3 | 3.4.1 Ex Parte Relief
Email the coordinator to request a continuance-related court proceeding by submission, Zoom, or in person.
File a verified motion for continuance and email the coordinator to request a court proceeding (by submission, Zoom or in person).
Page 3 | 3.2 Continuances
The proposed jury charge and motion in limine may be submitted to the court by email in Word or editable PDF format, with opposing counsel copied.
This can be done by emailing the Court with the proposed charge and Motion in Limine in Word or editable PDF format and copying opposing counsel.
Page 7 | 5.3 Jury Trials