Judge Kimberly Fitzpatrick
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Communication
Phone
Document Format Requirements11 rules
Book Antiqua 10-point font
- Font size
- 10 points
Formatting
- •Page numbers
Book Antiqua Font
Formatting
- •Book Antiqua font
Placed in footer, left justified
Page numbers
Formatting
- •Page numbers
1-inch margins
- Margins
- 1 inch
12-point font size
- Font size
- 12 points
Highlight in Yellow – Plaintiff’s designated testimony b. Highlight in Orange – Defendant’s designated testimony
Audio Files must be in “mp3” format and submitted on a USB drive.
Video Files must be in “mp4” format and submitted on a USB drive.
Large Exhibits exceeding 8 ½” X 11” must be accompanied by a letter-sized copy.
All exhibits shall be redacted (as needed), pre-marked, tabbed and indexed with a table of contents, and placed in a binder.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Redact exhibits as needed
- •Pre-mark exhibits
- •Tab exhibits
- •Place exhibits in a binder
Document Filing Requirements14 rules
File the jury charges.
A notice of hearing must state the hearing format, motions to be heard, allotted time, filing deadline, and any applicable notebook-delivery requirement.
Court's wording
When you do send out the notice of hearing, please include: 1. The hearing is In-Person, by ZOOM, or by Submission.* 2. Which motion(s) will be heard. 3. The amount of time allotted for the hearing – 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc. 4. All orders and responses must be filed according to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedures or the day before the hearing by 12:00 pm. 5. If the motion and response is over 50 pages, a notebook must be delivered to the court 2 days prior to the hearing, between 9:00 am – 11:00 am or 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
In addition to the condensed transcript, the objecting party will need to file a proposed order(located on the Court’s website) indicating the page and line of the objected to testimony and the reason for the objection.
For deposition transcripts that will be read into the record or played by video, the page and line numbers of the designated testimony is to be filed with the Court.
Diligent attempts to notify counsel for the party against whom ex parte relief is sought has been as follows:
CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE IN COMPLIANCE WITH TARRANT COUNTY LOCAL RULES FOR EX PARTE RELIEF
- Document
- Ex parte relief application
Include
- •Certificate of conference
And said diligent attempts have been unsuccessful, and the circumstances do not permit additional efforts to give notice.
4. Certificate of Conference in Compliance with Tarrant County Local Rules
5. Order Granting TRO
3. Affidavit Supporting TRO
2. Application for TRO
1. Plaintiff’s Original Petition
Counsel for the party against whom relief is sought ex parte has been notified of this application and has stated that he or she does not wish to be heard in this matter.
To the best of my knowledge the party against whom relief is sought ex parte is not represented by counsel in this matter (the matter made the basis of the relief sought).
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The jury charges must be emailed in MS Word format.
Email the jury charges in MS WORD.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Jury Charge Criteria
The Settlement Agreement, signed Final Judgment, unwaived List of Expenses, payment breakdown, and Minor Information Sheet must be emailed to the court.
3. Settlement Agreement (email to Court) 4. Final Judgment (email to Court with ALL signatures) 5. List of Expenses, if they were not waived (email to Court) 6. Breakdown of how the settlement is being paid out (email to Court) 7. Minor Information Sheet (email to Court)
Civil cases
Page 1 | Required Documents – Due by 12:00 pm, two (2) days prior to the hearing
The GAL Report and GAL Order for Fees must be submitted electronically.
1. GAL Report (e-file) a. List and describe the injuries. b. When was the last date of treatment? c. Were there sources of recovery? (PIP, UIM, etc.) d. Have all the bills been paid from the suit? i. If not, include a breakdown of residuals. e. What are the liability facts? 2. GAL Order for Fees (e-file)
Civil cases
Page 1 | Required Documents – Due by 12:00 pm, two (2) days prior to the hearing
The listed pretrial documents must be filed electronically, including exhibit and witness lists, motions in limine, proposed jury charges or findings, and a letter to the judge.
E-file the following documents: 1. Exhibit List – Jury and Non-Jury 2. Witness List – Jury and Non-Jury 3. Motions in Limine – Jury 4. Proposed Jury Charge – Jury or Proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law – Non-Jury 5. Letter to the Judge – Jury and Non-Jury
Civil cases
Page 1 | JURY AND NON-JURY TRIAL CASES
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Plaintiff and Defendant jury charges are due by 12:00 pm on Monday of the week of the Pretrial Conference.
Monday, the week of the Pretrial Conference by 12:00 pm.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Jury Charge Criteria
Failure to timely send the proposed jury charge may result in the trial being reset.
Failure to timely send the proposed jury charge may result in the trial being reset.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Jury Charge Criteria
All orders and responses must be filed under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedures or by 12:00 pm the day before the hearing.
All orders and responses must be filed according to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedures or the day before the hearing by 12:00 pm.
Civil cases · Court notice
Page 1 | Notice of Hearing
The required documents are due by noon two days before the hearing.
Required Documents – Due by 12:00 pm, two (2) days prior to the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Required Documents – Due by 12:00 pm, two (2) days prior to the hearing
All required documents must be received by noon on the day before the hearing, or the Friendly/Minor Prove-Up will be cancelled.
• The court must receive all required documents by 12:00 pm, the day prior to the hearing, or the Friendly/Minor Prove-Up will be cancelled.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Friendly/Minor Prove-up Hearing Requirements
A party requesting a trial shuffle must alert the coordinator no later than 8:00 a.m. on the day of trial.
In addition, parties are to alert the coordinator if a shuffle is requested, no later than 8am on the day of trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | JURY AND NON-JURY TRIAL CASES
Trial check-in is required at 8:15 a.m. on the day of trial unless the judge instructs otherwise.
Check-in for Trial: 8:15 a.m. the day of trial, unless otherwise instructed by the judge.
Civil cases
Page 1 | JURY AND NON-JURY TRIAL CASES
All trial documents must be filed by noon on Monday of the pretrial conference week.
All Trial Documents are Due on Monday by 12:00 p.m., the Week of the Pretrial Conference
Civil cases
Page 1 | JURY AND NON-JURY TRIAL CASES
Objections to opposing counsel's designated deposition testimony must be received by the court by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday before trial.
DUE BY 5pm WEDNESDAY BEFORE TRIAL: Objections by a party to opposing counsel’s designated deposition testimony will need to be received by the Court no later than 5pm on the Wednesday before trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | JURY AND NON-JURY TRIAL CASES
A request to reset the trial date must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday before trial.
Any request for a reset of the trial date is due by 5pm on the Wednesday before trial.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Reset of Trial Date
Filing Bundling Requirements
If the motion and response exceed 50 pages, a notebook must be delivered to the court two days before the hearing during one of the stated delivery windows.
If the motion and response is over 50 pages, a notebook must be delivered to the court 2 days prior to the hearing, between 9:00 am – 11:00 am or 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Civil cases · Court notice
Page 1 | Notice of Hearing
Chambers Communication Rules
After all required TRO documents are on file, counsel must call the court to schedule presentation of the TRO to the judge.
Once all of the required documents are on file, call the court and set up a time to have the TRO presented to the judge.
Civil cases
Page 1 | TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER - TRO
Parties must email the court the proposed jury charge or findings, case type, trial duration needed, and number of witnesses.
Email the Court with the following information: 342dc@tarrantcountytx.gov 1. Proposed Jury Charge in MS Word – Jury 2. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in MS Word – Non-Jury 3. Type of Case – vehicle accident, contract, injury, medical malpractice etc. - Jury and Non-Jury 4. Total Days Needed for Trial – Jury and Non-Jury 5. Number of Witnesses – Jury and Non-Jury
Civil cases
Page 1 | JURY AND NON-JURY TRIAL CASES
Email or call to request a hearing and include the following:
Email or call to request a hearing and include the following:
Civil cases · Court notice
Page 1 | How to Request a Hearing