Judge Jan Soifer
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 3 copies
Demonstrative Aid, Powerpoint Presentation
- 3 copies
Exhibits
- 2 copies
- 4 copies
Exhibits, Documents
- 2 copies • At Hearing
Adjournments
Court-wideRequest must include
Communication
Chambers5 contacts
Other Contacts3 contacts
Clerk1 contacts
Document Format Requirements8 rules
Each exhibit must be uploaded as a separate PDF. Do not combine multiple exhibits into a single PDF;
- File type
- Exhibits
Each exhibit must be uploaded as a separate PDF. Do not combine multiple exhibits into a single PDF;
- File type
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •One exhibit per PDF
Use the specified party designations and exhibit-number format regardless of which party filed the motion, adding last names when designations repeat and no other descriptive language to the exhibit number.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Do not include other descriptive language in the exhibit number
Court's wording
USE THIS FORMAT REGARDLESS OF WHICH PARTY IS THE MOVING PARTY. The party who originally filed the lawsuit should be designated Petitioner or Plaintiff (P), the opposing party should be designated Respondent (R) or Defendant (D), and an Intervenor should be designated Intervenor (I), regardless of the party that filed the motion being heard. If there is more than one party with the same designation, use last names to identify the party. The exhibit numbers should include “00” prior to the exhibit number. For example: P-001; R Smith-001; I Jones-001. There should be no other descriptive language in the exhibit number.
Electronic exhibits uploaded to Box are preferred and official; if upload is not possible, bring at least four indexed paper copies in binders.
Court's wording
The Court strongly prefers electronic exhibits, uploaded to Box as instructed in the separate document entitled “Guidance on Submission of Electronic Exhibits.” The electronic exhibits will be the official exhibits. However, if you are unable to upload electronic exhibits, you must bring no fewer than four paper copies of each exhibit to be offered into evidence (one each for the Court, Staff Attorney, witness [who gets the original], and opposing counsel), and they must be indexed and placed in binders.
If the matter is taken under advisement, email a proposed order in Word format to the Staff Attorney.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
The pages of each pre-marked exhibit should be separately numbered so that the Court can quickly locate specific pages of each exhibit.
The pages of each pre-marked exhibit should be separately numbered so that the Court can quickly locate specific pages of each exhibit.
Proposed jury questions and instructions must be submitted in Word format with supporting citations and without boilerplate provisions.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed jury instructions
Court's wording
Submit in Word proposed jury questions and instructions, with supporting cites to cases, statutes, and the PJC, at the pretrial conference or on or before the first day of trial, by uploading them to Box and/or by email to the Staff Attorney. Do not include boiler plate provisions; the Court will add those.
Document Filing Requirements40 rules
Exhibit numbers must follow the fixed party-designation format (e.g., P-001; R Smith-001; I Jones-001) with a '00' prefix and no other descriptive language, regardless of which party filed the motion.
Court's wording
USE THIS FORMAT REGARDLESS OF WHICH PARTY IS THE MOVING PARTY. The party who originally filed the lawsuit should be designated Petitioner or Plaintiff (P), the opposing party should be designated Respondent (R) or Defendant (D), and an Intervenor should be designated Intervenor (I), regardless of the party that filed the motion being heard. If there is more than one party with the same designation, use last names to identify the party. The exhibit numbers should include “00” prior to the exhibit number. For example: P-001; R Smith-001; I Jones-001. There should be no other descriptive language in the exhibit number.
Exhibit lists must be uploaded to Box along with pre-marked exhibits;
List every exhibit to be offered with a short neutral description, and do not use special characters in the exhibit list.
Court's wording
Exhibit lists must list all exhibits to be offered, along with a short neutral description of each exhibit (for example, P-001 Bank Statements). Please do not use special characters in the exhibit list.
Exhibit lists must be uploaded to Box along with pre-marked exhibits; and
- Document
- Exhibits
Must include
- •Exhibit list
The first page of each exhibit must be pre-marked with the exhibit number;
- Document
- Exhibit
- Placement
- First page
The first page of each exhibit must be pre-marked with the exhibit number;
Exhibit lists must list all exhibits to be offered, along with a short neutral description of each exhibit (for example, P-001 Bank Statements). Please do not use special characters in the exhibit list.
Attorneys and self-represented litigants who intend to use electronic exhibits must ensure they and their witnesses are proficient in the technology, including courtroom hardware and Box.
Specifies that all necessary information and materials must be provided in the same email and that incomplete submissions will not be granted
Also note that providing documents to a judge does not file them; documents provided to a judge for action (e.g., motions) must first be filed with the District Clerk, then a copy provided to the judge's staff.
Each attorney's signature block on these documents must identify the parties represented by that attorney.
- Placement
- Signature block
So far as practicable, every draft of a judgment, decree, or order to be signed by a judge or associate judge must be signed by all parties evidencing approval as to form before it is presented to the judge.
If agreed, the proposed order shall contain "Agreed" in the title and be signed "Agreed as to Form and Substance" by all counsel and self-represented parties.
Submissions must include all information and materials necessary for the Court to evaluate the proposed order. Incomplete submissions will not be granted.
Except for the submission of an agreed judgment, a motion must be filed with the District Clerk before a proposed order granting the motion may be considered on submission.
If the case is assigned to a specific judge pursuant to Chapters 2 or 10 of the Local Rules, then the motion and proposed order shall be submitted to that judge's Court.
The submitting party must certify in the body of the email that it has complied with the requirements of this Standing Order.
- Document
- Submission email
- Placement
- Body of the document
Emergency, urgent, or date-certain matters may not be submitted and instead must be set for hearing or presented under Chapter 7.
Court's wording
Matters requiring emergency relief and those requiring urgent attention or approval by a definite date shall not be forwarded for submission. Instead, such matters shall be set for hearing (in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Local Rules) or presented pursuant to Chapter 7 of the Local Rules.
No contested matters shall be forwarded for submission unless expressly authorized by the Court.
Upload to Box and/or bring a proposed order with the relief being sought to each hearing. If the matter is taken under advisement, email a proposed order in Word format to the Staff Attorney.
- Document
- Hearing
Include
- •Proposed order
Upload to Box and/or bring a proposed order with the relief being sought to each hearing.
- Document
- Hearing
Include
- •Proposed order
Submit in Word proposed jury questions and instructions, with supporting cites to cases, statutes, and the PJC, at the pretrial conference or on or before the first day of trial, by uploading them to Box and/or by email to the Staff Attorney. Do not include boiler plate provisions; the Court will add those.
Do not include items that are in the Standing Order in Limine in the parties' Motions in Limine.
All communications regarding a hearing set in this Court should be directed to Judicial Executive Assistant Batool Fatima by email to Batool.Fatima@traviscountytx.gov with the following reference: “HEARING;” cause number, case style, subject matter, and whether or not a record is requested.
If you intend to offer any exhibits during the hearing, you must utilize the Box link sent by the Court and upload an Exhibit List and pre-marked exhibits.
- Document
- Hearing exhibits
Must include
- •Exhibit list
If you intend to offer any exhibits during the hearing, you must utilize the Box link sent by the Court and upload an Exhibit List and pre-marked exhibits.
- Document
- Exhibits
Must include
- •Exhibit list
Trial exhibits should be: o Unopposed exhibits should be offered at pretrial for pre-admission
Documents provided to the Court should be indexed and uploaded to Box and, if paper copies are used, placed in binders (with a copy of the index provided to opposing counsel), and should include: o Operative pleadings, if pertinent to the hearing o Motions, responses, and replies, together with their exhibits, if any o Controlling case law with pertinent passages highlighted
Trial exhibits should be: o Pre-marked with party abbreviation and number (e.g., P-001, D-002, R-003)
Trial exhibits should be: o An index of exhibits should be provided to the Court and court reporter
- Document
- Trial exhibits
Should include
- •Exhibit list
Documents provided to the Court should be indexed and uploaded to Box and, if paper copies are used, placed in binders (with a copy of the index provided to opposing counsel), and should include: o Operative pleadings, if pertinent to the hearing o Motions, responses, and replies, together with their exhibits, if any o Controlling case law with pertinent passages highlighted
Trial exhibits should be pre-marked, exchanged before trial, unopposed exhibits offered at pretrial for pre-admission, and an index provided to the Court and court reporter.
Court's wording
Trial exhibits should be: o Pre-marked with party abbreviation and number (e.g., P-001, D-002, R-003) o Exchanged with opposing counsel prior to trial o Unopposed exhibits should be offered at pretrial for pre-admission o An index of exhibits should be provided to the Court and court reporter
If the Court announces its ruling and an appropriate order has not been prepared in advance, the prevailing party’s counsel should promptly circulate a proposed order for approval as to form by opposing counsel and promptly forward it to the Staff Attorney approved as to form.
If counsel cannot agree on the form of the order within a week, a redlined version of the order, with comments about the basis of the disagreement, should be forwarded by email to the Staff Attorney within a week, unless the Court has specified a different deadline.
Proposed jury questions and instructions must include supporting citations to cases, statutes, and the PJC, and must not include boilerplate provisions.
Court's wording
Submit in Word proposed jury questions and instructions, with supporting cites to cases, statutes, and the PJC, at the pretrial conference or on or before the first day of trial, by uploading them to Box and/or by email to the Staff Attorney. Do not include boiler plate provisions; the Court will add those.
If the Court announces its ruling and an appropriate order has not been prepared in advance, the prevailing party's counsel should promptly circulate a proposed order for approval as to form by opposing counsel and promptly forward it to the Staff Attorney approved as to form. The Court prefers to sign these within a week.
VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING OF ALL OR ANY PART OF A HEARING BY ANYONE OTHER THAN THE OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER IS PROHIBITED.
Non-evidentiary materials, including demonstratives, PowerPoint or other presentations, trial briefs, proposed orders, pleadings efiled within the prior week, and cases for the judge’s reference, should be uploaded to the designated “Other Materials” folder in Box AND emailed to the other parties before the hearing.
If a party intends to call witnesses, a witness list should be uploaded to Box AND emailed to the other parties at least two hours before the hearing.
that do not require oral testimony are eligible for submission, as are friendly suits and agreed divorces accompanied by sworn written testimony that has been filed with the District Clerk, under the terms of this Standing Order.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Uploads are allowed only to the designated 'Exhibits' and 'Other Materials' folders, and creating new folders or sub-folders is prohibited.
You may upload only to your designated “Exhibits” folder and “Other Materials” folder. Do not create new folders or sub-folders.
Page 1 | Requesting Box Link
Uploading to Box does not constitute filing with the District Clerk or an offer/admission of evidence, and exhibits not offered at hearing will not be considered or included in the record.
Uploading exhibits to Box does not constitute an offer or admission of any evidence. Exhibits not offered during the hearing will not be considered by the Court and will not be included in the record. Uploading exhibits or pleadings does not constitute filing with the Travis County District Clerk’s Office.
Page 2 | Warning
Non-evidentiary materials must not be uploaded into the Exhibit folder.
Do not upload non-evidentiary materials into the Exhibit folder.
Page 2 | Submission of Non-Evidentiary Materials
Uploading exhibits or pleadings to Box does not constitute filing them with the Travis County District Clerk’s Office.
Uploading exhibits or pleadings does not constitute filing with the Travis County District Clerk’s Office.
Page 2 | Warning
Responses and other pleadings must be e-filed with the District Clerk; emailing documents to the Court does not satisfy that requirement.
Any responses and other pleadings must be efiled with the District Clerk by this time. Please note: emailing documents to the Court is not the same as efiling them; all pleadings must be efiled with the District Clerk, as usual.
Page 1 | Prior to the Remote Hearing
All pleadings must be efiled with the District Clerk; emailing documents to the Court does not constitute efiling.
Please note: emailing documents to the Court is not the same as efiling them; all pleadings must be efiled with the District Clerk, as usual.
Page 1 | 3.b. Three Days before the Hearing
Upload materials only to the designated Exhibits or Other Materials folders; do not create folders or subfolders.
You may upload only to your designated “Exhibits” folder and “Other Materials” folder. Do not create new folders or sub-folders.
Page 1 | Requesting Box Link
Non-evidentiary materials may be uploaded to Box and should go in the party’s Other Materials folder, not the Exhibit folder.
Electronic, non-evidentiary materials may be uploaded to Box. Non-evidentiary materials, including courtesy copies of pleadings, case law, proposed orders, demonstratives, presentations, and trial briefs should be placed in the “Other Materials” folder identified for that party. Do not upload non-evidentiary materials into the Exhibit folder.
Page 2 | Submission of Non-Evidentiary Materials
The Court strongly prefers electronic exhibits, uploaded to Box as instructed in the separate document entitled "Guidance on Submission of Electronic Exhibits." The electronic exhibits will be the official exhibits.
The Court strongly prefers electronic exhibits, uploaded to Box as instructed in the separate document entitled "Guidance on Submission of Electronic Exhibits." The electronic exhibits will be the official exhibits.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Documents and exhibits to be used in hearings and trials
The Court strongly prefers that exhibits be provided electronically, and electronic exhibits become the official exhibits once admitted.
As provided in this Guidance, it is the strong preference of the Court that exhibits be provided in electronic format, and that the electronic exhibits will be the official exhibits once admitted.
Page 1 | Guidance on Submission of Electronic Exhibits
Additional Box exhibit-folder permissions are obtained by adding all parties, attorneys, and paralegals needing access in the Announcement Application.
For additional permissions to BOX exhibit folders, please review and add all parties, attorneys, and paralegals who will be working on the case or will need access to electronic exhibits in the Announcement Application: Home - Announcements [cts-ext-web2]
Page 1 | Requesting Box Link
The Court strongly prefers electronic exhibits, which become the official exhibits once admitted.
As provided in this Guidance, it is the strong preference of the Court that exhibits be provided in electronic format, and that the electronic exhibits will be the official exhibits once admitted.
Page 1 | Guidance on Submission of Electronic Exhibits
Electronic non-evidentiary materials, such as courtesy copies of pleadings, case law, and proposed orders, may be uploaded to Box.
Electronic, non-evidentiary materials may be uploaded to Box.
Page 1 | Submission of Non-Evidentiary Materials
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Proposed jury questions and instructions must be submitted at the pretrial conference or on or before the first day of trial by Box upload and/or email to the Staff Attorney.
Submit in Word proposed jury questions and instructions, with supporting cites to cases, statutes, and the PJC, at the pretrial conference or on or before the first day of trial, by uploading them to Box and/or by email to the Staff Attorney.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Special instructions for jury trials (in addition to the relevant ones above)
Responses and other pleadings must be e-filed with the District Clerk three days before the hearing.
Any responses and other pleadings must be efiled with the District Clerk by this time.
Page 1 | Prior to the Remote Hearing
Responses and other pleadings must be efiled with the District Clerk three days before the hearing; this provision does not change deadlines set by other applicable rules or law.
Any responses and other pleadings must be efiled with the District Clerk by this time. Please note: emailing documents to the Court is not the same as efiling them; all pleadings must be efiled with the District Clerk, as usual. This provision is not intended to change any deadlines set by other applicable rules or law.
Page 1 | 3.b. Three Days before the Hearing
If counsel cannot agree on the form of the order within a week, a redlined version of the order, with comments about the basis of the disagreement, should be forwarded by email to the Staff Attorney within a week, unless the Court has specified a different deadline.
If counsel cannot agree on the form of the order within a week, a redlined version of the order, with comments about the basis of the disagreement, should be forwarded by email to the Staff Attorney within a week, unless the Court has specified a different deadline.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Court orders and matters under advisement
For cases assigned shortly before a hearing, the Court will be flexible in allowing time for electronic exhibits to be uploaded to Box.
Occasionally a case may not be assigned to this court until a few minutes before a hearing. In such cases, the Court will endeavor to be flexible in allowing time for electronic exhibits to be uploaded to Box.
Page 1 | Requesting Box Link
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Judges do not set hearings or send notices, so lawyers and self-represented litigants must set matters with the Court Administrator, specify the time needed, provide all parties with notice of hearings or trials, and make proper announcements, failing which the hearing or trial may be passed by the Court.
Please note that judges do not set hearings or trials on the Central Docket, send out no�ces of hearings or trials, or announce the length the hearings or trials will be. Lawyers and self-represented li�gants are responsible for se�ng maters with the Court Administrator, for specifying how much �me is needed for the en�re hearing or trial, for providing all par�es with no�ce of the hearing or trial, and for making proper announcements. Form no�ces for hearings and trials on the Central Docket are posted here: htps://www.traviscountytx.gov/courts/files/civil-district. Failure to properly set, no�ce, or announce hearings or trials may result in the hearing or trial being passed by the Court.
Page 1 | Overview of Practice in Travis County Civil and Family District Courts
The submission email must copy all counsel of record and self-represented parties.
All counsel of record and self-represented parties shall be copied.
Civil cases · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 10 | 5. Submission
All counsel of record and self-represented parties must be copied on all correspondence with the Court.
All counsel of record and self-represented parties must be copied on correspondence with the Court.
Page 1 | 1. Communications with the Court
Trial exhibits must be exchanged with opposing counsel prior to trial.
Trial exhibits should be: o Exchanged with opposing counsel prior to trial
Civil cases
Page 1 | Documents and exhibits to be used in hearings and trials
Specified non-evidentiary materials should be uploaded to the designated Box folder and emailed to the other parties before the hearing.
Non-evidentiary materials, including demonstratives, PowerPoint or other presentations, trial briefs, proposed orders, pleadings efiled within the prior week, and cases for the judge’s reference, should be uploaded to the designated “Other Materials” folder in Box AND emailed to the other parties before the hearing.
Page 2 | Prior to the Remote Hearing
Each lawyer or litigant is responsible for ensuring that all witnesses they intend to call receive notice of how to join the Zoom hearing.
It is the responsibility of each lawyer or litigant to ensure that all witnesses they intend to call receive notice of how to join the Zoom hearing.
Page 2 | 3.c. Hearing Links Emailed
A party intending to call witnesses should upload and email its witness list to the other parties at least two hours before the hearing.
If a party intends to call witnesses, a witness list should be uploaded to Box AND emailed to the other parties at least two hours before the hearing.
Page 2 | Prior to the Remote Hearing
Non-evidentiary materials, including demonstratives, PowerPoint or other presentations, trial briefs, proposed orders, pleadings efiled within the prior week, and cases for the judge’s reference, should be uploaded to the designated “Other Materials” folder in Box AND emailed to the other parties before the hearing.
Non-evidentiary materials, including demonstratives, PowerPoint or other presentations, trial briefs, proposed orders, pleadings efiled within the prior week, and cases for the judge’s reference, should be uploaded to the designated “Other Materials” folder in Box AND emailed to the other parties before the hearing.
Page 2 | 3.e. Other Materials
If a party intends to call witnesses, a witness list should be uploaded to Box AND emailed to the other parties at least two hours before the hearing.
If a party intends to call witnesses, a witness list should be uploaded to Box AND emailed to the other parties at least two hours before the hearing.
Page 2 | 3.f. Witness Lists
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When a party must forward a document to a judge or wants to bring it to the judge’s attention, the party must deliver a file-marked courtesy copy to the judge’s staff; filing it alone is not enough.
Please note that documents filed with the District Clerk are not forwarded to a judge; if a party is required to forward a document to a judge or intends for a document to be brought to a judge's attention, the party must deliver a courtesy copy of the file-marked document to the judge's staff, and not simply file it.
Civil cases · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | 1.3 How the Central Docket Functions
Upload documents to the Court’s Box account; if using paper exhibits, bring two courtesy paper copies of documents for the Court to review.
Documents should be uploaded electronically to the Court’s Box account, but if you also want to use paper exhibits, you must bring at least two courtesy paper copies of documents you want the Court to review (one for the Court and one for the Staff Attorney).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Documents and exhibits to be used in hearings and trials
If electronic exhibits cannot be uploaded, at least four indexed paper copies of each exhibit (Court, Staff Attorney, witness original, opposing counsel) must be brought in binders.
However, if you are unable to upload electronic exhibits, you must bring no fewer than four paper copies of each exhibit to be offered into evidence (one each for the Court, Staff Attorney, witness [who gets the original], and opposing counsel), and they must be indexed and placed in binders.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Documents and exhibits to be used in hearings and trials
Documents should be uploaded electronically to the Court's Box account, but if you also want to use paper exhibits, you must bring at least two courtesy paper copies of documents you want the Court to review (one for the Court and one for the Staff Attorney).
Documents should be uploaded electronically to the Court's Box account, but if you also want to use paper exhibits, you must bring at least two courtesy paper copies of documents you want the Court to review (one for the Court and one for the Staff Attorney).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Documents and exhibits to be used in hearings and trials
If you use a PowerPoint presentation or demonstrative aid, please upload them to Box or bring at least three paper copies (for the Court, Staff Attorney, and opposing counsel).
If you use a PowerPoint presentation or demonstrative aid, please upload them to Box or bring at least three paper copies (for the Court, Staff Attorney, and opposing counsel).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Documents and exhibits to be used in hearings and trials
If you use a PowerPoint presentation or demonstrative aid, please upload them to Box or bring at least three paper copies (for the Court, Staff Attorney, and opposing counsel).
If you use a PowerPoint presentation or demonstrative aid, please upload them to Box or bring at least three paper copies (for the Court, Staff Attorney, and opposing counsel).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Documents and exhibits to be used in hearings and trials
Filing Bundling Requirements
All necessary evidence must be included in the submission email.
All necessary evidence must be included in the same email.
Civil cases · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 10 | 5. Submission
Chambers Communication Rules
Hearing and trial settings and announcements must be made with the Court Administrator for the Civil District Courts, not with a particular judge's staff, except in Local Rule 2.6 or 10.2 assigned cases.
Except in 2.6 or 10.2 assigned cases (and a very few other situa�ons, including those in Local Rule 1.5), se�ngs and announcements must be made with the Court Administrator for the Civil District Courts, and not with a par�cular judge’s staff.
Page 1 | Overview of Practice in Travis County Civil and Family District Courts
No submitted matter may be taken to ~~Uncontested~~ Dany docket or set for hearing until after the Court to which it was submitted is first advised that the submission has been withdrawn, by email to the Court with "WITHDRAWAL" in the subject line.
No submitted matter may be taken to ~~Uncontested~~ Dany docket or set for hearing until after the Court to which it was submitted is first advised that the submission has been withdrawn, by email to the Court with "WITHDRAWAL" in the subject line.
Civil cases · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 10 | 6. Withdrawal
For all other motions and proposed orders, email the Court where the case is filed using the specified court-number submission address format.
All other motions/proposed orders shall be submitted to the Court in which the case is filed (i.e., the Court shown in the style of the case) by email in this format: "courtnumber.submission@traviscountytx.gov"; for example, for the 53rd District Court, 53.submission@traviscountytx.gov.
Civil cases · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 10 | 7. Appropriate Court for Submission
Submit a file-stamped motion and proposed order to the appropriate Court by email, with the specified subject line information.
A file-stamped copy of the motion (along with a proposed order) shall be submitted to the appropriate Court attached to an email requesting approval on submission, with the following subject line: "SUBMISSION", cause number, and style of the case.
Civil cases · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 10 | 5. Submission
Court staff must not be contacted to set hearings or trials or to make docket announcements for Central Docket matters; the Local Rules govern those procedures.
Do not contact Court staff to set hearings or trials, or to make docket announcements for matters on the Central Docket. See the Local Rules for instructions on setting hearings and trials and handling announcements on the Central Docket.
Civil cases
Page 2
All communications regarding a hearing set in this Court should be directed to Judicial Executive Assistant Batool Fatima by email to Batool.Fatima@traviscountytx.gov with the following reference: “HEARING;” cause number, case style, subject matter, and whether or not a record is requested. Any questions about a scheduled hearing, these procedures, or information requested herein also should be directed to this email address, with this reference.
All communications regarding a hearing set in this Court should be directed to Judicial Executive Assistant Batool Fatima by email to Batool.Fatima@traviscountytx.gov with the following reference: “HEARING;” cause number, case style, subject matter, and whether or not a record is requested. Any questions about a scheduled hearing, these procedures, or information requested herein also should be directed to this email address, with this reference.
Page 1 | 1. Communications with the Court
Only counsel, parties (and their spouses if they are individuals, or one representative of each organizational party), and witnesses should be provided the Zoom link and password and permitted to attend the Zoom hearing. Any person who receives the links and passwords is prohibited from disseminating them to anyone other than those listed here without express prior approval of the Court. Others may be given the link to the Court’s YouTube channel to view the livestream of the proceedings.
Only counsel, parties (and their spouses if they are individuals, or one representative of each organizational party), and witnesses should be provided the Zoom link and password and permitted to attend the Zoom hearing. Any person who receives the links and passwords is prohibited from disseminating them to anyone other than those listed here without express prior approval of the Court. Others may be given the link to the Court’s YouTube channel to view the livestream of the proceedings.
Page 2 | 3.c. Hearing Links Emailed
Except in Local Rule 2.6 or 10.2 assigned cases, emergencies should be directed to the week's Duty Judge, whose contact information is posted with the weekly docket.
Emergencies in all cases, except in 2.6 or 10.2 assigned cases, should be directed to the week’s Duty Judge, whose informa�on will be posted with the weekly docket, linked below.
Page 2 | Overview of Practice in Travis County Civil and Family District Courts
Email documents to a judge’s submission address or staff, not directly to the judge.
To deliver a document to the judge by email, it should be emailed to the judge's submission email address or the judge's staff, not to the judge directly.
Civil cases · Proposed or draft document; may not be in force
Page 2 | 1.3 How the Central Docket Functions
Emergency matters (other than specially assigned cases) must be directed to the designated Duty Judge through the Duty Judge's staff, who is listed on the Travis County civil district dockets page.
The designated Duty Judge handles all emergency matters for the Travis County Civil District Courts (other than specially assigned cases), and should be contacted through their staff. The Duty Judge is listed at www.traviscountytx.gov/courts/files/dockets/civil-district.
Civil cases
Page 2
Do not contact Court staff to set Central Docket hearings or trials or to make Central Docket announcements.
Do not contact Court staff to set hearings or trials, or to make docket announcements for matters on the Central Docket. See the Local Rules for instructions on setting hearings and trials and handling announcements on the Central Docket.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Contacting the Court
Court staff must not be copied on emails disputing the form of orders; counsel should instead forward a redlined order with comments about the disagreement.
Do not copy Court staff on disputes about the form of orders or related matters; simply forward a redlined version of the order with comments about the disagreement.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Court orders and matters under advisement
Do not copy Court staff on disputes about an order’s form; forward the redlined order and comments instead.
Do not copy Court staff on disputes about the form of orders or related matters; simply forward a redlined version of the order with comments about the disagreement.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Court orders and matters under advisement
For emergency matters other than specially assigned cases, contact the designated Duty Judge through the judge’s staff.
The designated Duty Judge handles all emergency matters for the Travis County Civil District Courts (other than specially assigned cases), and should be contacted through their staff. The Duty Judge is listed at www.traviscountytx.gov/courts/files/dockets/civil-district.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Contacting the Court
Hearing-related communications should be emailed to the Judicial Executive Assistant with the specified reference information, copying all counsel of record and self-represented parties.
All communications regarding a hearing set in this Court should be directed to Judicial Executive Assistant Batool Fatima by email to Batool.Fatima@traviscountytx.gov with the following reference: “HEARING;” cause number, case style, subject matter, and whether or not a record is requested. All counsel of record and self-represented parties must be copied on correspondence with the Court.
Page 1 | Communications with the Court
If counsel or a self-represented litigant seeks to limit public access to a hearing or portion(s) of a hearing, the request should be made to the Court as soon as possible, stating the reasons for the request, and if the Court finds that the evidence or subject matter is of such a nature that the protection of the evidence overcomes the presumption of public presentation, the livestream will not be activated or will be interrupted or terminated.
If counsel or a self-represented litigant seeks to limit public access to a hearing or portion(s) of a hearing, the request should be made to the Court as soon as possible, stating the reasons for the request, and if the Court finds that the evidence or subject matter is of such a nature that the protection of the evidence overcomes the presumption of public presentation, the livestream will not be activated or will be interrupted or terminated.
Page 1 | 3.a. Objections to Livestreaming
Parties must notify the Court if they, a litigant, or a witness lack access to a computer, tablet, smartphone, or reliable internet; “Zoom rooms” at the courthouse may be arranged for their use.
If you, a litigant, or a witness do not have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone, or do not have reliable internet service, notify the Court. There are “Zoom rooms” available at the courthouse, and arrangements may be made for their use by those who do not have access to Zoom otherwise.
Page 2 | 3.b. Three Days before the Hearing
Parties must notify the Court if they request a record of the proceeding; if no record is requested, no court reporter will be present.
Notify the Court if you request a record of the proceeding. If no record is requested, then a Court Reporter will not be present for the hearing.
Page 2 | 3.b. Three Days before the Hearing
Technical assistance with Box is available from Courts-Help by email or phone.
For Technical Assistance with BOX, please contact Courts-Help (courts-help@traviscountytx.gov) at 512-854-8324.
Page 1 | Requesting Box Link
Parties may request assistance of the Civil Courts’ IT staff well in advance of the time of the court proceeding.
Parties may request assistance of the Civil Courts’ IT staff well in advance of the time of the court proceeding.
Page 2 | Technology
Parties may request assistance from Civil Courts IT staff well in advance of the proceeding.
Parties may request assistance of the Civil Courts’ IT staff well in advance of the time of the court proceeding.
Page 2 | Technology
Parties may contact the assigned court's staff for assignment information only after the Court Administrator assigns the matter, which generally occurs at the end of the week before a hearing or about ten days before a jury trial.
Once the Court Administrator has assigned a mater to a par�cular judge for a hearing (generally at the end of the week prior to the hearing) or trial (approximately ten days before the jury trial), then you may contact that Court’s staff for informa�on about the par�cular assignment.
Page 2 | Overview of Practice in Travis County Civil and Family District Courts
Please arrive early if you need assistance, so that Court staff can request assistance from the IT department for you.
Please arrive early if you need assistance, so that Court staff can request assistance from the IT department for you.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Use of E-Courtroom equipment
Hearings/trials on specially assigned matters and follow-ups on matters heard in this Court may be scheduled or pursued by contacting the JEA (Batool Fatima), Staff Attorney (Elliott Beck), or Court Reporter (Michelle Williamson) by phone or email.
To set hearings or trials on matters specially assigned to this Court pursuant to Local Rule 2.6 or 10.2, or to follow up on a matter that was heard in this Court, you may contact: Batool Fatima, JEA: 512.854.9712, batool.fatima@traviscountytx.gov Elliott Beck, Staff Attorney: 512.854.9892, elliott.beck2@traviscountytx.gov Michelle Williamson, Ct Reporter: 512.854.9373; michelle.williamson@traviscountytx.gov
Civil cases
Page 2
Parties unsure of the Court's expectations or preferences may check with the JEA or Staff Attorney.
If in doubt about the Court's specific expectations or preferences, please feel free to check with the JEA or Staff Attorney.
Civil cases
Page 2
For specially assigned matters, contact the listed Court personnel to set hearings or trials or follow up on matters heard by the Court.
To set hearings or trials on matters specially assigned to this Court pursuant to Local Rule 2.6 or 10.2, or to follow up on a matter that was heard in this Court, you may contact: Batool Fatima, JEA: 512.854.9712, batool.fatima@traviscountytx.gov Elliott Beck, Staff Attorney: 512.854.9892, elliott.beck2@traviscountytx.gov Michelle Williamson, Ct Reporter: 512.854.9373; michelle.williamson@traviscountytx.gov
Civil cases
Page 2 | Contacting the Court