Bexar County Civil District Courts
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Signed Order
- Mail • After Signature By Court
Adjournments
- Settings for final hearings on the merits cannot be continued or dropped without court approval.
- Once a setting has been noticed, it may be dropped only with the agreement of all present parties.
- A party announcing 'Not ready' must file a motion for continuance at or before the announcement and set it for hearing before the trial setting.
- +4 more
Request must include
- Litigants with more than two settings must confer at least two days in advance, notify opposing parties of the conflicts, discuss resetting, provide a day-of-hearing cell phone number, and advise the Presiding Judge of any unresolved conflict, or risk dropped settings or adverse rulings.
Communication
Clerk6 contacts
- monitoringcourt@bexar.org
- 210-335-2621
- (210) 335-2300
- 210-335-2520
- 210-335-2000
- 1-346-248-7799
Chambers2 contacts
- 225settings@bexar.org
- (210)335-2233
Other Contacts2 contacts
- 210-631-0100
- (210) 335-3843
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Motions for Extended Assignment and any response are limited to 5 pages each, and replies or sur-replies are not allowed.
The motion and response, if any, are limited to 5 pages each. No replies or sur-replies are allowed.
Motion
5 pages
Response
5 pages
Document Format Requirements2 rules
When appearing remotely, statutorily-required documents, pleadings, and proposed orders must be in digital PDF format.
statutorily-required documents, pleadings, and proposed orders. If appearing remotely, these documents must be in digital .pdf format.
Motions, orders, briefs, and similar filings should include page numbers.
Motions, orders, briefs, etc. should include page numbers and complete signature blocks on all orders.
Document Filing Requirements56 rules
The Notice of Setting must include the Presiding Court Zoom ID information and the name of the Visiting Judge that previously heard the matter.
Include (a) the Presiding Court ZOOM ID information in the Notice of Setting, and (b) the name of the Visiting Judge that previously heard the matter.
Document Type
Notice Of Setting
Every non-dispositive motion must also certify either a good-faith conferral to resolve or narrow the issues or reasonable but unsuccessful efforts to confer, and the court may strike any setting lacking these certificates.
every motion (other than dispositive motions) must also certify either: 1. “[Counsel/Self-represented litigant] has conferred with all parties who may be affected by the relief sought in this motion in a good faith effort to resolve or narrow the issues raised.”; or 2. “[Counsel/Self-represented litigant] has made reasonable efforts to confer with all parties who may be affected by the relief sought in this motion but has been unable to do so.” The court retains discretion to strike any setting in which the motion (or an amended version of the motion) does not include such certificates.
Document Type
Motion
Every motion must include a certification that the party has conferred with (or made reasonable efforts to confer with) all parties about the date, time, and format of the setting.
every motion must include a certification that “[counsel/self-represented litigant] has conferred with (or made reasonable efforts to confer with) all parties about the date, time, and format of the setting”
Document Type
Motion
Agreed orders requiring Staff Attorney review (Default Judgment, Rule 106 and 109 Motions for Substituted Service, Gestational Agreement) must be efiled with '[Type of Order] – Staff Attorney Review Required' in the Comment Section.
Agreed orders that require review by the Staff Attorney’s Office prior to being presented to the court (Default Judgment, Rule 106 and 109 Motions for Substituted Service, Gestational Agreement) must be efiled with the following statement included in the Comment Section – “[Type of Order] – Staff Attorney Review Required”.
Document Type
Agreed Order
Agreed orders announced to Presiding Court must be efiled with the statement 'Presiding Court [Time/Type of Docket] Docket [Date of Docket]' included in the Comment Section.
Agreed orders announced to Presiding Court must be efiled within two weeks of the announcement with the following statement included in the Comment Section – “Presiding Court [Time/Type of Docket] Docket [Date of Docket]”.
Document Type
Agreed Order
Agreed orders must bear full signature blocks for all counsel and self-represented litigants and state 'Agreed' or 'Agreed as to Form and Substance.'
If the order involves a matter that is agreed to by counsel and/or self-represented litigants, the order must bear full signature blocks for all counsel and/or self-represented litigants and state “Agreed” or “Agreed as to Form and Substance.”
Document Type
Agreed Order
Orders on matters set and heard by the Presiding Judge must be efiled with the statement 'Presiding Court [Time/Type of Docket] Docket [Date of Docket]' included in the Comment Section.
Orders on matters set and heard by Presiding Judge must be efiled with the following statement included in the Comment Section – “Presiding Court [Time/Type of Docket] Docket [Date of Docket]”.
Document Type
Order
If the proponent cannot secure approval of a proposed order, a Motion to Enter must be filed and set in the court that heard the motion, should be accompanied by the Judges' Notes or the court reporter's record, and must succinctly state any disagreement over the order's terms.
If a proponent of the order is unable to secure the approval of the other counsel and/or self-represented litigants, a Motion to Enter the order must be filed and set in the Court which heard the motion. A copy of the Judges’ Notes for the hearing at which the Judge rendered the order or a copy of the court reporter’s record of the hearing should accompany all Motions to Enter. The motion must succinctly set forth any disagreement regarding the terms of the order.
Document Type
Motion To Enter Order
All proposed orders and judgments presented for a judge's signature must bear approval signature blocks from the presenting party and all other counsel of record or self-represented litigants, unless the Court orders otherwise.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, all proposed orders and judgments presented for a judge’s signature must have appropriate signature blocks for the counsel and/or self-represented litigant presenting the order and all other counsel of record and/or self-represented litigants indicating their approval as to form and substance or approval as to form, as appropriate.
Document Type
Proposed Order Or Judgment
A full signature block must include the counsel's or self-represented litigant's number (if applicable), telephone number, fax number (if available), and the identity of the party represented (if applicable).
A full signature block consists of counsel’s and/or self-represented number (if applicable), telephone number, fax number (if available), and the identity of the party represented (if applicable).
Document Type
Proposed Order Or Judgment
If parties cannot agree on a docket control order, a motion to enter must be set with the assigned court within 45 days of the first responsive pleading, must state each side's agreements and disagreements, and must attach a proposed docket control order, with failure risking dismissal.
If counsel and/or self-represented litigants cannot agree on the docket control order, a motion to enter must be set with the assigned court within 45 days of the filing of the first responsive pleading. The motion must succinctly set forth the respective side’s agreements and disagreements and attach a proposed docket control order. Failure to file a motion to enter and set it for hearing within the prescribed time limits may result in dismissal of the proceeding.
Document Type
Motion To Enter Docket Control Order
The docket control order must include a trial setting within Texas Supreme Court time standards and a summary-judgment cutoff deadline at least 60 days before the trial setting.
The docket control order must include: (1) a trial setting that is within the time standards for the disposition of cases established by the Texas Supreme Court (see page 1 of these rules); and (2) a deadline (at least 60 days before the trial setting to allow compliance with Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 166a) after which no summary judgment motions may be filed.
Document Type
Docket Control Order
Within 30 days of the first responsive pleading, counsel and self-represented litigants must confer and present an agreed docket control order to the assigned court.
Within 30 days of the filing of the first responsive pleading, counsel and/or self-represented litigants must confer and present to the court to which the case is assigned at filing an agreed docket control.
Document Type
Docket Control Order
Default judgments and Rule 106/109 substituted service motions must be reviewed by the Staff Attorney's Office before submission to a judge for signature.
All default judgments and Rule 106 and 109 motions for substituted service must be reviewed by the Staff Attorney's Office prior to submission to a Judge for signature.
Document Type
Default Judgment Or Motion For Substituted Service
Written submission filings must include the statement 'Presiding Court, Written Submission Docket, [Date Submitted]' in the e-filing Comment Section.
The motion or order must be efiled with the following statement included in the Comment Section – "Presiding Court, Written Submission Docket, [Date Submitted]".
Document Type
Written Submission Motion Or Order
Uncontested adoptions require filing all statutorily-required documents, an affidavit or interrogatories to prove up the adoption, and the Decree of Adoption.
The parties must file all statutorily-required documents and an affidavit or interrogatories to prove up the adoption order, along with the Decree of Adoption, including affidavits and/or interrogatories to prove up the adoption and the Decree of Adoption.
Document Type
Uncontested Adoption
Uncontested divorces presented on written submission require an affidavit or sworn interrogatories to prove up the divorce (including the parties' bankruptcy status declaration) and the agreed Final Decree of Divorce.
For uncontested divorces where the parties do not want an evidentiary hearing, the following must be filed: 1. an affidavit or sworn interrogatories to prove up the divorce (the parties' declaration of bankruptcy status must be included); and 2. the agreed Final Decree of Divorce.
Document Type
Uncontested Divorce Written Submission
All default judgments must comply with the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. Appendix, section 521.
Document Type
Default Judgment
To have a 9:00 Presiding Court docket hearing heard by Zoom, the parties must file a joint notice of hearing stating the hearing requires 2.5 hours or less and that all parties agreed in writing to Zoom; hearings exceeding 2.5 hours will be referred back for in-person reassignment.
Counsel and/or self-represented litigants must file a joint notice of hearing stating that the time required for the hearing is 2.5 hours or less and that the parties have agreed to have the matter heard by Zoom.
Document Type
Joint Notice Of Hearing
Fiats, orders setting hearings, and orders to appear must state whether the hearing will be in person in Presiding Court or remote on the Presiding Court Zoom.
All fiats, orders setting hearings, and orders to appear must identify whether the hearing will occur in person in Presiding Court OR remotely on the Presiding Court Zoom.
Document Type
Fiat Or Notice Of Setting
Fiats, Notices of Setting, orders setting hearings, and orders to appear must include the time announcement, telephone numbers for all counsel/self-represented litigants, and whether an interpreter is required with the desired language.
All Fiats, Notices of Setting, orders setting hearings, and orders to appear must also include the following: 1. The time announcement; 2. Telephone numbers for all counsel and/or self-represented litigants; ... 4. Whether an interpreter is required and the desired language.
Document Type
Fiat Or Notice Of Setting
All pleadings must include a signed AI certification, on the approved form from the Presiding Court website, attesting that generative AI-produced content was verified through traditional (non-A.I.) legal sources and acknowledging responsibility for compliance.
A.I. Certification. All pleadings shall include a certificate on the form approved by the Civil District Court Judges and available on the Presiding Court website, signed by counsel or self-represented litigant, attesting that: a. all drafted language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analyses produced by generative A.I. will—before submission—be verified by counsel licensed in Texas (or admitted to appear in the cause) or a self-represented litigant as accurate through traditional (non-A.I.) legal sources, and b. that counsel of record and/or self-represented litigant understands and acknowledges that they are responsible for any failure to comply with this order.
Document Type
Pleading
In every divorce and original suit affecting the parent-child relationship, the Petitioner must attach a copy of the Bexar County Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties to the original petition and to each copy of the petition.
Bexar County Civil District Courts require in every divorce case and in original suits affecting the parent-child relationship, that the Petitioner shall attach to the original petition and to each copy of the petition a copy of the Bexar County Standing Order Regarding Children, Property and Conduct of the Parties.
Document Type
Petition
On entry of default divorce decrees, parties must comply with Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 239 and 239a, including filing a certificate of the defaulting party's last known address.
On entry of default divorce decrees, all parties shall comply with the requirements of Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 239 and 239a including the requirement that a certificate of last known address of the defaulting party be filed.
Document Type
Default Judgment
All default judgments must be accompanied by a non-military affidavit (or Department of Defense Manpower Data Center documentation) with sufficient facts for the Court to determine the defaulting party's military status.
Pursuant to the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act, all default judgments must be accompanied by a non-military affidavit with sufficient facts for the Court to determine the military status of the defaulting party or with a ... Center attached.
Document Type
Default Judgment
Unless waived, litigants in child or spousal support trials or hearings must present an income and expense itemization in the website sample format, at least the prior 3 months of wage and income information, and a tax return from the previous year.
Unless otherwise waived by the Court, all litigants involved in trials or hearings relating to child support or spousal support shall present to the Court an itemization or summary of all of their income and expenses, substantially in the format of the sample in the Forms section of the Presiding Court website, as well as a minimum of the prior 3 months of wage and income information and a tax return from the previous year, if child support and/or spousal support is an issue in the trial or hearing.
Document Type
Income And Expense Itemization
Unless waived by the Court, litigants appearing for divorce trials involving property or liability issues must present a sworn Inventory & Appraisement in the Presiding Court website sample format, itemizing values of all contested property and debts.
Unless waived by the Court, all litigants appearing for trial involving property or liability issues shall present the Court with a sworn Inventory & Appraisement substantially in the format of the sample posted in the Forms section of the Presiding Court website, which shall contain an itemization including values of all contested items of property and all debts.
Document Type
Sworn Inventory And Appraisement
Failure to appear at a trial docket may result in dismissal or default judgment.
Failure to appear at a trial docket may result in the case being dismissed or a judgment being rendered by default.
Document Type
Trial Appearance
Before setting a hearing, parties must make reasonable efforts to confer, and every motion must include a certificate that counsel and/or self-represented litigant has conferred (or made reasonable efforts to confer) with all parties about the date, time, and format of the setting.
Prior to setting a hearing, the parties must make reasonable efforts to actually speak to one another regarding the date, time, and format (i.e., whether in-person or remote) of a hearing or trial and the substance of the motion in a genuine effort to narrow their disputes before seeking court intervention. To that end, every motion must include a certification that "[counsel and/or self-represented litigant] has conferred with (or made reasonable efforts to confer with) all parties about the date, time, and format of the setting"
Document Type
Motion
Every motion other than a dispositive motion must also certify either a good-faith conferral with all parties affected by the requested relief to resolve or narrow the issues, or that reasonable efforts to confer were made but were unsuccessful, and the court may strike any setting lacking these certificates.
and every motion (other than dispositive motions) must also certify either: ... who may be affected by the relief sought in this motion in a good faith effort to resolve or narrow the issues raised."; or 2. "[Counsel and/or self-represented litigant] has made reasonable efforts to confer with all parties who may be affected by the relief sought in this motion but has been unable to do so." The court retains discretion to strike any setting in which the motion (or an amended version of the motion) does not include such certificates.
Document Type
Motion
Fiats setting remote hearings by ZOOM must include the Monitoring Court ZOOM link, the telephone access number 1-346-248-7799, the meeting ID 992-478-8545, and the telephone access code 992-478-8545.
All fiats setting hearings to occur remotely by ZOOM must include the following: 1. The link to Monitoring Court ZOOM: https://zoom.us/my/monitoringcourt. 2. The Zoom telephone access number for Monitoring Court: 1-346-248-7799. The personal meeting identification number: 992-478-8545. 3. The Monitoring Court telephone access code: 992-478-8545.
Document Type
Fiat
A proposed order not signed by all counsel and/or self-represented litigants must be presented to the Court by a motion to enter.
If the proposed order is not signed by all counsel and/or self-represented litigants, the order must be presented to the Court by a motion to enter.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Agreed orders must contain a complete signature block and be signed by counsel for each party and any self-represented litigant, with electronic signatures and signatures by permission acceptable.
All agreed orders must have a complete signature block for counsel representing each party to the proceeding and each self-represented litigant and the order must be signed by counsel for each party and any self-represented litigant (electronic signatures and signatures by permission remain acceptable).
Document Type
Agreed Order
For orders obtained by default, the words 'did not appear' must be included in the signature block of the non-appearing counsel or self-represented litigant.
If the order was obtained by default, “did not appear” should be included in the signature block for counsel and/or self-represented litigant who did not appear.
Document Type
Default Order
Non-jury matters expected to last longer than two days require a Motion for Referral to the Monitoring Court, which must be filed and set at 8:30 in Presiding Court.
If the non-jury matter is expected to last longer than two days, a Motion for Referral to the Monitoring Court must be filed and set at 8:30 in Presiding Court.
Document Type
Motion For Referral To Monitoring Court
Orders following a hearing must include the signature block for each party's counsel and signatures for each counsel or self-represented litigant.
Orders pursuant to a hearing also need to include the signature block for each counsel representing a party and signatures for each counsel or self-represented litigant.
Document Type
Order Pursuant To Hearing
TRO applicants (counsel or self-represented litigants) must state in writing one of four facts: respondent is unrepresented, movant could not contact opposing counsel, opposing counsel was notified and does not wish to be heard, or notification would cause irreparable harm.
Counsel or the self-represented litigant making the request shall state in writing that: (1) to the best of his knowledge the respondent is not represented by counsel, (2) he has tried and has been unable to contact opposing counsel about the application and the means by which the attempt was made, (3) opposing counsel has been notified of the application and does not wish to be heard, or (4) notifying the respondent or his counsel would cause irreparable harm to the movant.
Document Type
Temporary Restraining Order Request
Two prescribed forms, available on the Presiding Court website, must be attached to all ex parte and final protective orders.
In the case of ex parte and final protective orders, there are two forms which must be attached to all said orders. The forms may be found in the Forms section of the Presiding Court website.
Document Type
Protective Order
Mediation orders must state the mediator's name, the fee split, the mediation deadline, and must contain a provision authorizing sanctions for noncompliance.
All orders must state the mediator's name, how the fee will be split, the deadline for mediation, and must contain a provision authorizing sanctions for noncompliance.
Document Type
Mediation Order
In family-law cases, the vacation/unavailability notification letter must also designate alternate counsel in case of an emergency.
In family-law cases, the notification letter must also designate alternate counsel in the event an emergency arises during the vacation or period of unavailability.
Document Type
Vacation Unavailability Notice
Counsel must give written notice of vacation or unavailability to the District Clerk and counsel-in-charge at least two weeks in advance, and the notification letter must include an address, telephone number, email address, and telecopier number.
Counsel who plan to take a vacation, or who know that they will be unavailable for hearings, and who wish to prevent the scheduling of hearings during their absence must give written notice to the Bexar County District Clerk and to the counsel-in-charge for other parties and/or self-represented litigants in the cases affected at least two weeks before the vacation or period of unavailability will begin. The notification letter must provide an address, telephone number, email address, and telecopier number for service of notice.
Document Type
Vacation Unavailability Notice
All docket control orders must incorporate specific deadlines, such as deadlines to mediate and to have dispositive motions heard, with sample orders available on the 225th website.
There are specific deadlines that are to be incorporated into all docket control orders such as deadlines to mediate and have dispositive motions heard. See the 225th website for sample docket control orders.
Document Type
Docket Control Order
When requesting a hearing, attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide a total time announcement covering hearing time, reading time if needed, and any chambers conference time, and parties who significantly under-announce will be stepped aside with remaining time heard at the end of the day or rescheduled.
Attorneys/self-represented litigants are to provide a total time announcement that includes time for the hearing, reading time if needed, and time to confer in chambers prior to the hearing if so desired. Parties will be given a date and specific start time. Parties should be ready to begin at their assigned time. If parties under announce by any significant amount of time they will be asked to step aside to allow for the next case to be heard. Parties will conclude their hearing at the end of the day if time permits or they may elect to schedule additional time at a later date.
Document Type
Hearing Request
All pleadings must include a signed certificate attesting that any generative-AI-produced language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analyses were verified as legally accurate before submission, with the filer acknowledging responsibility for noncompliance.
All pleadings shall include a certificate signed by the attorney or self-represented litigants attesting that all drafted language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analyses produced by generative artificial intelligence will before submission, verified by an attorney licensed in Texas or self-represented litigant as legally accurate and that the attorney of record or self-represented litigant understands and acknowledges that they are responsible for their failure to comply with this order.
Document Type
Pleading
The Certificate of Conference must detail efforts to resolve the dispute without court intervention, and motions omitting it will not be set for hearing until the certificate is filed.
The Certificate of Conference shall detail the efforts to resolve the dispute without court intervention. Any motion omitting a Certificate of Conference shall not be set for hearing until such certification has been filed.
Document Type
Certificate Of Conference
A Notice of Setting must be delivered to each attorney of record and self-represented litigant and must state the nature of the matter, contact information for each party, and the hearing date, hour, and estimated time.
A Notice of Setting shall be delivered to each attorney of record and/or self-represented litigant. Each Notice of Setting shall state the nature of the contested matter, the name, address, telephone number, and email address of each attorney of record or self-represented litigant and the hearing date, hour and estimated time announcement.
Document Type
Notice Of Setting
Each summary judgment motion and each response must be accompanied by both a proposed order granting and a proposed order denying the motion.
Additionally, each motion for summary judgment, as well as each response, must be accompanied by a proposed order granting the motion and a proposed order denying the motion for the court's signature.
Document Type
Motion For Summary Judgment
A Docket Control Order must be submitted to the Court for signature in trial cases.
A Docket Control Order must be submitted to the Court for signature.
Document Type
Docket Control Order
Filings containing generative AI-produced content must include a certification that all such language was verified against traditional legal sources and that filers acknowledge responsibility for noncompliance.
I certify that all drafted language, quotations, sources, citations, arguments, and legal analyses produced by generative A.I. in this filing have been verified as accurate through traditional (non-A.I.) legal sources, and all attorneys of record for the parties or self-represented litigant filers submitting this filing understand and acknowledge that the attorneys or self- represented litigants are responsible for their failure to comply with this
Document Type
Certificate
The agreed submitted order must state the time announcement for trials scheduled on red-listed dates.
The dates listed in red are limited to trials that will not exceed 4 days and the agreed submitted order must state the time announcement.
Document Type
Agreed Submitted Order
Orders presented by local counsel on behalf of out-of-county counsel should bear the signature blocks of both the local and out-of-county counsel.
If a local counsel is presenting an order on behalf of an out-of-county counsel, the order should bear the signature block of the local and out-of-county counsel.
Document Type
Proposed Order Or Judgment
Zoom appearance at the Presiding Court call docket is allowed only for non-evidentiary hearings or evidentiary hearings agreed to be 2.5 hours or less with the required joint notice of hearing filed.
Counsel and self-represented litigants may appear at the Presiding Court call docket on Zoom on the date and time listed on the fiat, notice of setting, order setting hearing, and/or order to appear for non-evidentiary hearings or for evidentiary hearings that by agreement will be 2.5 hours or less and the required joint notice of hearing has been filed with the court as set forth in these protocols.
Document Type
Joint Notice Of Hearing
If there is no agreement on a trial date or the trial must be set past the scheduling deadlines, a Motion to Set should be filed and a hearing will be scheduled.
If there is no agreement or there is a need to set the trial past the deadlines listed above, then a Motion to Set should be filed and a hearing will be scheduled.
Document Type
Motion To Set
If parties cannot obtain approval as to form of an order, they must file a motion to enter and secure a hearing date.
If the parties are unable to obtain approval as to form, counsel/litigants must file a motion to enter and secure a hearing date.
Document Type
Motion To Enter
When the opposing party does not object but cannot sign a proposed order, the party may present the order to the Court during morning docket after alerting the Court of the non-objection.
When at least one pa1ty is represented by counsel and a patty seeks the Cout1's signature but is unable to obtain the opposing side's signature on the proposed order, you may approach the Court during the morning docket to present the order for consideration. Please alert the Cowt at that time that the opposing patty does not object to the relief requested but is unavailable or otherwise unable to sign the order. Upon this noti fication, the Court will review the proposed order and determine whether it is appropriate for signature.
Document Type
Unopposed Proposed Order
Mileage reimbursement requires supporting documentation.
Out-of-county mileage reimbursement shall be paid in accordance with Bexar County Standard Mileage Rates, which are based on the IRS standard mileage rate. Reimbursable mileage shall be calculated from the courthouse, and supporting documentation is required.
Document Type
Mileage Reimbursement Request
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
When e-filing orders, filers must leave specific routing instructions in the comment section or the order will be accepted as a Proposed Order but not routed for signature.
When filing orders, ALWAYS leave specific and correct instructions regarding where the clerk should route the order for signature. If no comment is left, the order will be accepted as a Proposed Order, but it will NOT be routed for signature.
Page 1 | Attorneys Instructions for eFiling
When e-filing matters assigned out of Presiding to a sitting District Court Judge (including summary judgment hearings), the comment section must state the assigned court and the hearing date.
Matters Assigned out of Presiding and heard by a sitting District Court Judge including Summary Judgement Hearings When efiling, in the Comment section indicate the following: • Court it was assigned to • Date of Hearing (Month/Date/Year)
Page 1 | Matters Assigned out of Presiding and heard by a sitting District Court Judge including Summary Judgement Hearings
When e-filing matters for the Presiding 8:30 am, 9:00 am, Tax, or Expunction dockets, the comment section must state Presiding, the specific docket, and the docket date.
Matters set and heard in Presiding on 8:30 am Docket, 9:00 am Docket, Tax Docket, Expunction Dockets When eFiling, in the comment section indicate the following: • Presiding • Which Docket (8:30/9:00/Tax/Expunction) • Date of Docket (Month/Date/Year)
Page 1 | Matters set and heard in Presiding on 8:30 am Docket, 9:00 am Docket, Tax Docket, Expunction Dockets
When e-filing matters to be heard by a visiting judge, the comment section must request the Visiting Judge Queue, name the visiting judge, and state the hearing date.
When efiling, in the Comment section indicate the following: • Please forward to Visiting Judge Queue • Visting Judge's Name • Date of Hearing (Month/Date/Year)
Page 2 | Please forward to Visiting Judge Queue
Orders requiring staff attorney review under Local Rules F(4) (previously emailed to UncontestedMotions@bexar.org or CivilDistrictAgreedOrders@bexar.org) must be e-filed with comments stating the type of order and that staff attorney review is required.
Orders which were previously emailed to UncontestedMotions@bexar.org or CivilDistrictAgreedOrders@bexar.org and need staff attorney's review pursuant to the Local Rules F(4). When eFiling, in the Comment Section indicate the following: • Type of Order • Staff Attorney Review Required
Page 2 | Orders which were previously emailed to UncontestedMotions@bexar.org or CivilDistrictAgreedOrders@bexar.org and need staff attorney's review pursuant to the Local Rules F(4)
When e-filing for the 1:30 Walk-up Docket, the comment section must state Presiding, the docket (1:30, Walk-up, or Uncontested Docket), and the planned appearance date.
When eFiling, in the Comment Section indicate the following: • Presiding • 1:30 Docket (Walk-up Docket and Uncontested Docket are also acceptable) • Date which you plan to appear on the docket
Page 2 | Matters heard or to be heard at the 1:30 Walk-up Docket – Refer to Local Rules H(7)
Orders eFiled without a routing comment are accepted as proposed orders but will not be routed for signature.
If a comment is not made, the order will be accepted as a proposed order, but it will NOT be routed for signature.
Page 3 | Important Tips
When eFiling an order, a comment must be left indicating the appropriate queue so clerks can correctly route the order.
Due to our Presiding system, it's extremely important to leave a comment on the appropriate queue an order should be routed. It helps the clerks correctly route orders.
Page 3 | Important Tips
When eFiling matters heard by Monitoring Court, the filer must indicate 'Monitoring Court' and the docket date in the Comment Section.
Matters heard by Monitoring Court When eFiling, in the Comment Section indicate the following: • Monitoring Court, Date of Docket Examples: “Monitoring Court, Date”
Page 3 | Matters heard by Monitoring Court
Default judgments, Rule 106 matters, gestational agreements, orders of dismissal, and agreed judgments must be flagged with the 'Staff Attorney Review Required' queue comment when eFiled.
"Default Judgement – Staff Attorney Review Required" "Rule 106 - Staff Attorney Review Required" "Gestational Agreement - Staff Attorney Review Required" "Orders of Dismissal - Staff Attorney Review Required" "Agreed Judgements- Staff Attorney Review Required"
Page 3 | Staff Attorney Review Required queue labels (continuation of staff attorney review section)
All agreed orders must be submitted to the Courts through the efiling system.
All Agreed Orders must be submitted to the Courts through the efiling system pursuant to the following requirements:
Page 12 | F. Orders – a. Agreed Orders
Orders on matters heard by a Visiting Judge must be efiled with “Forward to Visiting Judge [Name] [Date of Hearing]” in the Comment Section, and the efiling envelope number must be emailed to the Visiting Judge afterward.
d. Orders on matters heard by Visiting Judge. Orders on matters assigned out of Presiding Court and heard by a Visiting Judge must be efiled with the following statement included in the Comment Section – “Forward to Visiting Judge [Name] [Date of Hearing]”. AFTER order is efiled, the envelope number of the efiling must be emailed to the Visiting Judge at the address provided by the Visiting Judge.
Page 13 | d. Orders on matters heard by Visiting Judge
Orders on matters assigned out of Presiding Court and heard by a sitting District Court Judge must be efiled with “[Assigned Court] [Date of Hearing]” in the Comment Section, and the efiling envelope number must be emailed to the court afterward.
matters assigned out of Presiding Court and heard by a sitting District Court Judge must be efiled with the following statement included in the Comment Section – “[Assigned Court] [Date of Hearing]”. AFTER order is efiled, the envelope number of the efiling must be emailed to the court at the address provided by the court clerk.
Page 13 | Orders on matters heard by Sitting District Court Judge
Orders for the Presiding Court's 1:30 Walk-up Docket must be efiled with “Presiding Court, 1:30 Docket, [Date of Hearing]” in the Comment Section before the court appearance, and litigants must confirm the pleadings were accepted by the District Clerk and be ready to provide the envelope number to the Presiding Judge.
e. Orders on matters heard during 1:30 Walk-up Docket. Orders on matters to be heard at the Presiding Court’s 1:30 Walk-up Docket (Refer to Local Rule 3(O)(3)) must be efiled prior to (but no more than 24 hours before) appearing in Court with the following statement included in the Comment Section – “Presiding Court, 1:30 Docket, [Date of Hearing]”. Prior to approaching the Presiding Court, counsel and/or self-represented litigants must make sure that the relevant pleadings have been accepted by the District Clerk’s Office and be prepared to provide the envelope number of the efiled order to the Presiding Judge.
Page 13 | e. Orders on matters heard during 1:30 Walk-up Docket
Motions or orders presented on the Presiding Court's written submission docket (default judgments, Rule 106/109 substituted service motions, and agreed orders) must be e-filed.
The motion or order must be efiled with the following statement included in the Comment Section – "Presiding Court, Written Submission Docket, [Date Submitted]".
Page 15 | Written Submission Docket
Counsel and self-represented litigants must set hearings by e-filing the appropriate Fiat or Notice of Setting.
Setting Hearings. Counsel and self-represented litigants shall set matters pursuant to the above protocols and the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure by efiling the appropriate Fiat or Notice of Setting.
Page 17 | Setting Hearings
Agreed mediation orders must be submitted through the Monitoring Court website.
Agreed meditation orders must be submitted pursuant to the Monitoring Court website.
Page 29 | Local Rule 9. Mediation - B. Mediation Orders
Agreed orders must be e-filed with a filing comment directing that the proposed order be forwarded to the Court.
Agreed orders should be efiled with a filing comment directing that the proposed order be forwarded to the Court.
Page 34 | ORDERS BY SUBMISSION
Orders for substituted service, default judgments, and motions requesting relief without a record must be e-filed with a filing comment directing the proposed order to the Court (sentence continues beyond the provided text).
Orders for substituted service, default judgments, and motions requesting relief in which no record is requested should be efiled with a filing comment
Page 34 | ORDERS BY SUBMISSION
Agreed orders signed by all attorneys of record and any self-represented litigants may be e-filed as proposed orders with a comment for staff attorney review and may then be signed without a hearing.
Agreed Orders bearing the signature of all attorneys of record and self-represented litigants, if any, may be submitted via e-filing as a proposed order. Orders shall be e-filed with a comment for a staff attorney to review. Upon review by staff counsel, these orders may be signed by the Court without the necessity of a hearing.
Page 39 | AGREED ORDERS
An order must be eFiled only once; duplicate eFiling of the same order creates longer processing times.
Only eFile an order ONE time. Multiple filings of the same order only create longer processing times.
Page 3 | Important Tips
Paper orders must not be presented if the order has already been eFiled, because duplicates delay order processing.
Do not present paper orders if you have already eFiled that order. Duplicates create delay in processing orders.
Page 3 | Important Tips
Proposed orders filed electronically are not routed for signature.
Proposed Orders are not routed for signature.
Page 3 | Important Tips
Agreed orders signed by all attorneys of record and self-represented litigants may be e-filed as proposed orders and signed without a hearing.
Agreed Orders bearing the signature of all attorneys of record and self-represented litigants, if any, may be submitted via e-filing as a proposed order and may be signed by the Court without the necessity of a hearing.
Page 38 | Orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
For the 1:30 Walk-up Docket, orders must be filed before appearing in court, pleadings must already be accepted, and the order's envelope number must be available when approaching the judge.
File orders prior to appearing in Court. Make sure pleadings have been accepted prior to approaching the Court and that you have the envelope number for your order available when you approach the Judge.
Page 2 | Matters heard or to be heard at the 1:30 Walk-up Docket – Refer to Local Rules H(7)
Attorneys should give staff an envelope number rather than a case number and must confirm the envelope has been accepted by Civil Filing before approaching Presiding Court for the walk-up docket.
Providing court staff with an envelope number will assist in locating cases. If a case number is provided, every filing shows up on that case. It’s more efficient to provide an envelope number to staff. It is the attorney’s responsibility to make sure the envelope has been accepted by Civil Filing prior to approaching Presiding Court for the walk-up docket.
Page 3 | Important Tips
Orders reflecting the Court's rulings must be reduced to writing and presented to the Court for entry no later than two weeks after the date of the hearing.
orders reflecting rulings made by the Court must be reduced to writing and presented to the Court for entry not later than two weeks from the date of hearing.
Page 12 | F. Orders
Agreed orders announced to Presiding Court must be efiled within two weeks of the announcement.
Agreed orders announced to Presiding Court must be efiled within two weeks of the announcement
Page 12 | F. Orders – a. Agreed Orders
Orders for the 1:30 Walk-up Docket must be efiled before the court appearance but no more than 24 hours before it.
Orders on matters to be heard at the Presiding Court’s 1:30 Walk-up Docket (Refer to Local Rule 3(O)(3)) must be efiled prior to (but no more than 24 hours before) appearing in Court with the following statement included in the Comment Section – “Presiding Court, 1:30 Docket, [Date of Hearing]”.
Page 13 | e. Orders on matters heard during 1:30 Walk-up Docket
The joint notice of hearing for a Zoom hearing on the 9:00 Presiding Court docket must be filed at least 2 days before the hearing date.
The joint notice must be filed at least 2 days prior to the date on which the hearing is set to be heard.
Page 16 | N. Hearings and Bench Trials to be Conducted In Person or Via Zoom
A motion for Extended Assignment must include a Notice of Submission setting the submission date no less than 5 days after the motion is filed.
The motion for Extended Assignment must be accompanied by a Notice of Submission setting the date of submission no less than 5 days after it is filed.
Page 19 | Extended Assignment (Presiding Court)
Trial announcements must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. on the Monday two weeks before the scheduled trial date via email to monitoringcourt@bexar.org.
Each counsel and self-represented litigant shall submit their announcement no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Monday two weeks before the scheduled trial date. The responses must be sent electronically to monitoringcourt@bexar.org.
Page 23 | Local Rule 5. Jury Docket - C. Procedures, 1. Announcements
Motions in limine, proposed jury charges, and realignment/strike-equalization motions must be served on all parties by noon on the last business day before trial, or issues may be waived.
Motions in Limine, proposed Jury Charges, and motions to realign parties or equalize peremptory strikes must be delivered to all parties by noon on the last business day before the trial date. Failure to do so could result in waiver of the issues, instructions, and/or questions presented.
Page 24 | Local Rule 5. Jury Docket - C. Procedures, 2. Assignment for trial
The Mediator's Report must be filed no later than 30 days before the trial date, and the parties are responsible for ensuring it is filed.
The Mediator's Report must be filed no later than thirty (30) days before the trial date. Parties are responsible for ensuring the Mediator's report is filed.
Page 29 | Local Rule 9. Mediation - D. Report of Mediator
Effective July 1, 2026, every contested case must have a docket control order on file within 45 days after the petition is filed.
Effective July 1, 2026, all contested cases shall have a docket control order on file within 45 days of the filing of the petition.
Page 32 | 225th District Court Local Rules and Procedures - Docket Control Orders
Cases must be set for trial within 18 months for civil jury cases, 12 months for civil non-jury cases, and 6 months for family law cases.
Civil jury cases will be required to be set for trial within 18 months, civil, non-jury in 12 months, and family law cases in 6 months.
Page 32 | 225th District Court Local Rules and Procedures - Docket Control Orders
Hearings with time announcements of 3 hours or more must be confirmed by the Thursday of the week prior to the hearing date, or the setting may be dropped.
Once provided a hearing date, the hearing MUST be confirmed the Thursday of the week prior to the hearing date. If you do not confirm the Thursday prior to your hearing, the setting may be dropped.
Page 34 | SETTING A HEARING WITH A TIME ANNOUNCEMENT OF 3 HOURS OR MORE
Final judgments/orders must be reduced to writing within 30 days and delivered to the Court for signature.
All Final Jt.:dgments/Orders of the Court shall be reduced to writing within thirty (30) ·days and delivered to the Court for signature.
Page 38 | Orders
Temporary orders must be reduced to writing within 10 days and delivered to the Court for signature.
All temporary orders shall be reduced to writing within ten ( I 0) days and delivered to the Court for signature.
Page 38 | Orders
Failure to furnish the Court with a temporary order, final judgment, or decree within the applicable time period may result in a hearing being set or the case being placed on the dismissal docket.
FAILURE TO FURNISH THE COURT WITH A TEMPORARY ORDER, FINAL JUDGMENT OR DECREE WITHIN THE APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD MAY RESULT IN THE COURT SETTING A HEARING OR PLACING THE CASE ON THE COURT'S DISMISSAL DOCKET.
Page 38 | Orders
Written motions to remove a case from the dismissal docket must be presented to the judge before the notified dismissal date.
Written motions to remove the case from the dismissal docket must be presented to the judge prior to the notified date of dismissal.
Page 40
All vouchers must be submitted within 60 calendar days of the hearing or service rendered.
All vouchers shall be submitted no later than 60 calendar days from the hearing or service rendered.
Page 4 | CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS' AD LITEM FEE SCHEDULE GUIDELINES
If 5 days' notice is not practicable or possible, a party may instead urge its Extended Assignment request at the time of the setting on the underlying motion.
If relief is sought under this rule, and it is not practicable or possible for the party to make such a request with 5 days' notice, that party may urge its request under this rule at the time of the setting on the motion sought to be the subject of an Extended Assignment.
Page 19 | Extended Assignment (Presiding Court)
If the Presiding Judge or designee determines an oral hearing is necessary on an Extended Assignment motion, the hearing will be set with at least 3 days' written notice to the parties.
In that event, the Presiding Judge or their designee will set an oral hearing on the motion with at least 3 days' written notice to the parties.
Page 20 | Extended Assignment (Presiding Court)
If an e-filed document has not been accepted by the District Clerk at the time of a hearing, parties should be prepared to give the Monitoring Court Judge the efiling envelope number.
Parties should be prepared to provide the Monitoring Court Judge with the efiling envelope number if the filing has not been accepted by the District Clerk at the time of the hearing.
Page 25
Summary judgment motions will be set for submission 45 days from the date of filing.
Summary Judgment motions will be set for submission 45 days from date of filing.
Page 34 | MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGEMENT
Service and Proof of Service Rules
To schedule a non-jury trial or hearing, a party must file a motion to set with the Presiding Court and serve a copy of the motion and a conformed copy of the order on all other parties.
A party may schedule a nonjury trial or hearing by filing a motion to set on a specific date and time with the Presiding Court (210-335-2000) and serving a copy of the motion and a conformed copy of the order on all other parties.
Page 27 | Local Rule 6. Scheduling Hearings and Trials
Before presenting an emergency relief request, the moving party must notify opposing counsel or a self-represented litigant of the intent to approach and the assigned appearance time, unless notice would cause irreparable harm or injury.
If there is opposing counsel or a self-represented litigant on the other side, you must provide them notice of your intent to approach and at what time you have been assigned to appear unless doing so would cause irreparable harm or injury.
Page 35 | REQUESTS FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF
Filing Fees and Waivers
The jury fee must be paid before or at the time a case is set on the jury docket.
The jury fee must be paid prior to the setting or at the time of setting a case on the jury docket.
Page 28 | Local Rule 6. Scheduling Hearings and Trials
The attached Civil District Courts' Ad Litem Fee Schedule applies to all vouchers submitted after the date of this order.
the undersigned Criminal District Court Judges adopt the attached Civil District Courts' Ad Litem Fee Schedule and Fee Schedule Guidelines effective for all vouchers submitted after the date of this order.
Page 1 | JOINT ORDER ADOPTING CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS' AD LITEM FEE SCHEDULE
Courtesy Copy Requirements
The District Clerk processes signed orders and provides courtesy copies to all attorneys and self-represented litigants.
Signed orders will be processed by the District Clerk's office and courtesy copies will be provided to all attorneys/self-represented litigants.
Page 35 | 225th District Court Local Rules and Procedures
Filing Bundling Requirements
Motions and orders must be filed as separate filings rather than bundled together, per Local Rule F(1).
Motions and Orders should be filed separately. Refer to Local Rule F(1).
Page 3 | Important Tips
Proposed orders and judgments must be filed as separate documents from any motion or other filing, except for motions and orders setting hearings.
Except in the case of motions and orders setting hearings, all proposed orders and judgments must be filed separately from any motion or other document.
Page 14 | 3. Separate Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Hearings on these motions must be set per local rules at 8:30 a.m. for non-evidentiary matters or 9:00 a.m. for evidentiary matters.
Set the hearing per local rules, either at 8:30 a.m. (non-evidentiary) or 9:00 a.m. (evidentiary).
Page 1 | PROCEDURE FOR SETTING MOTION before a VISITING JUDGE
All hearings before a Visiting Judge must follow these procedures and must be assigned by the Presiding Judge.
Note: All hearings before a Visiting Judge must adhere to these procedures and must be assigned by the Presiding Judge
Page 1 | PROCEDURE FOR SETTING MOTION before a VISITING JUDGE
Only motions to enter, to reconsider, to clarify, for new trial, and to set aside an order may return to the Visiting Judge who originally ruled the matter.
Only the following motions shall return to the Visiting Judge who originally ruled: a. Motion to Enter b. Motion to Reconsider c. Motion to Clarify d. Motion for New Trial e. Motion to Set Aside Order
Page 1 | PROCEDURE FOR SETTING MOTION before a VISITING JUDGE
Motions for the Visiting Judge must be set in Presiding Court, per the Bexar County Civil District Courts Local Rules, on a date the Visiting Judge is scheduled to assist Presiding Court.
Set the motion in Presiding Court pursuant to the Bexar County Civil District Courts Local Rules (https://www.bexar.org/DocumentCenter/View/40194/Bexar-County-Civil-District-Court-Local-Rules-2024-1924?bidId=) on a date the Visiting Judge is scheduled to assist Presiding Court.
Page 1 | PROCEDURE FOR SETTING MOTION before a VISITING JUDGE
The announcement to the Presiding Judge must include the name of the Visiting Judge that should hear the matter.
Your announcement to the Presiding Judge must include the name of the Visiting Judge that should hear the matter.
Page 1 | PROCEDURE FOR SETTING MOTION before a VISITING JUDGE
Before setting any hearing or trial, parties must make reasonable efforts to actually speak about the date, time, and format of the setting and the substance of the motion to narrow their disputes.
Prior to setting a hearing, counsel and/or self-represented litigants must make reasonable efforts to actually speak to one another regarding the date, time, and format (i.e., whether in-person or remote) of a hearing or trial and the substance of the motion in a genuine effort to narrow their disputes before seeking court intervention.
Page 11 | E. Setting Hearings – Certification of Conference Requirements
Parties wishing to involve the Domestic Relations Office must file a motion and set a hearing before the Presiding Judge, and no orders (including agreed orders) will be signed unless the judge determines at a hearing that DRO involvement will assist the Court.
If the parties to a proceeding wish to involve the Domestic Relations Office in the case, a motion must be filed and a hearing set before the Presiding Judge. The Presiding Judge will determine if the involvement of the Domestic Relations Office is appropriate. No orders, including orders agreed to by the parties, will be signed unless the Presiding Judge has determined at a hearing that the involvement of the Domestic Relations Office will assist the Court.
Page 22 | P. Policies (Family Law) - 8. Domestic Relations Office
Parties must confer on all motions before presenting them to the trial court and bring a conforming proposed order to the hearing.
Counsel and self-represented litigants must confer on all motions prior to presenting any issue to the trial court and must bring to the hearing an order conforming to any agreements reached on an issue and providing space for the trial judge to rule on the remaining disputed issues.
Page 24 | Local Rule 5. Jury Docket - C. Procedures, 2. Assignment for trial
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must confer before requesting any hearing regarding both the subject of the hearing and available dates and times, and this requirement is enforced.
Attorneys and Self-represented litigants are required to confer in advance of requesting a hearing regarding the subject of the hearing AND available dates and times for the hearing. The requirement to confer will be enforced.
Page 32 | 225th District Court Local Rules and Procedures - Requirement to Confer
In cases involving the Attorney General's Office, attorneys and self-represented litigants must also confer with an AG representative regarding the subject of the suit and their availability.
If a case involves the Attorney General's Office, attorneys/self-represented litigants must confer with a representative from that office regarding the subject of the suit as well as their availability.
Page 32 | 225th District Court Local Rules and Procedures - Requirement to Confer
Before requesting any hearing, parties must confer with opposing counsel or self-represented litigants, making a minimum of three legitimate attempts to confer on non-emergency issues.
Confer with opposing counsel/self-represented litigant regarding the dispute BEFORE requesting a hearing. A minimum of three legitimate attempts to confer must be made on non-emergency issues.
Page 33 | SETTING A HEARING WITH A TIME ANNOUNCEMENT OF LESS THAN 3 HOURS
Before filing any contested motion, the movant must confer with all affected parties and prepare a Certificate of Conference.
Before filir.g any contested motion, the movant shall confer with all parties affected by the requested relief to determine whether the motion will be opposed and prepare a Certificate of Conference.
Page 37 | CONFERENCE REQUIRED
Dispositive motions, motions for new trial, and ex parte matters are exempt from the Certificate of Conference requirement.
Dispositive motions, Motions for New Trial and Ex Parte matters do not require a Certificate of Conference.
Page 37 | EXCEPTIONS FOR CERTIFICATE OF CONFERENCE
Counsel should confer with opposing counsel on the time announcement because these motions are ordinarily short matters.
The above Motions are ordinarily fairly short matters, however please confer with opposing counsel on your time announcement.
Page 1 | PROCEDURE FOR SETTING MOTION before a VISITING JUDGE
For hearings with time announcements of 3 hours or more, all parties will be given a time to briefly discuss the contested issues with the Court (via Zoom or in person) before the hearing date is provided.
Once the request is received, all counsel/self-represented litigants will be given a time to approach the Court to briefly discuss the contested issues, This will be a brief conference which can be done via Zoom or in person.
Page 33 | SETTING A HEARING WITH A TIME ANNOUNCEMENT OF 3 HOURS OR MORE
For hearings with time announcements under 3 hours, the hearing will be confirmed once all counsel and self-represented litigants reply to the settings email with available dates.
Once all counsel/self-represented litigants have replied to the email providing available dates the hearing will be confirmed.
Page 33 | SETTING A HEARING WITH A TIME ANNOUNCEMENT OF LESS THAN 3 HOURS
A docket call is held approximately three weeks before jury trials and multi-day bench trials, limited to the trial announcement, time requested, interpreter needs, mediation status, and out-of-town parties or witnesses.
A docket call will be held approximately three weeks prior to jury trial and multi-day bench trial dates (see court website for dates). The conference will be limited to providing the trial announcement, time requested, whether an interpreter is needed, whether the case has been mediated, and if there are any out-of-town parties or witnesses.
Page 34 | JURY TRIALS/BENCH TRIALS EXCEEDING 2 DAYS
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Settings for final hearings on the merits cannot be continued or dropped without court approval.
A setting on any final hearing on the merits of a proceeding cannot be continued or dropped without court approval.
Page 10 | Local Rule 6. Scheduling Hearings and Trials — C. Final Hearings on the Merits
Litigants with more than two settings must confer at least two days in advance, notify opposing parties of the conflicts, discuss resetting, provide a day-of-hearing cell phone number, and advise the Presiding Judge of any unresolved conflict, or risk dropped settings or adverse rulings.
If counsel and/or self-represented litigants have more than 2 settings, counsel and/or self-represented litigants must confer with all counsel and/or self-represented litigants on all cases at least two days prior to the date of the settings. Counsel and/or self-represented litigants must notify opposing counsel and/or self-represented litigants of the multiple settings, discuss resetting hearings, and provide opposing counsel and/or self-represented litigants with a cell phone number to contact on the day of the hearing. If an agreement as to how to resolve the conflict cannot be reached, counsel and/or self-represented litigants must advise the Presiding Judge of the conflict when the case is called for hearing. Failure to comply with this section may result in the settings of the case(s) on the Presiding Court docket being dropped, an adverse ruling being entered, or such other action as the Presiding Judge deems appropriate.
Page 11 | Multiple Settings by Counsel and/or Self-Represented Litigants
A party announcing 'Not ready' must file a motion for continuance at or before the announcement and set it for hearing before the trial setting.
If a party announces “Not ready”, they must file a motion for continuance of the trial date at the time of or before making their announcement and set their motion for hearing prior to the trial setting.
Page 23 | Local Rule 5. Jury Docket - C. Procedures, 1. Announcements
Every request for a continuance of the trial setting—including agreed continuances—requires filing a motion, setting it for hearing before the Monitoring Judge, and appearing to obtain the judge's approval.
For all requests for a continuance of the trial setting, including agreed continuances, the parties must file a motion and set it for hearing before the Monitoring Judge. Available trial dates can be found at the following website and are updated each week: http://www.bexar.org/1813/Chief-Trial-Assignment-Clerk. Regardless of agreement, the counsel and/or self-represented litigants must appear and obtain approval of the continuance by the Monitoring Judge.
Page 26 | F. Policies
A vacation or unavailability letter alone will not drop or reschedule existing settings; counsel must reschedule existing hearings by agreed order or by motion for continuance with a ruling from the Presiding Court.
Existing settings will not be dropped, postponed, or rescheduled solely on the basis of a vacation or unavailability letter. Counsel who desire to take a vacation or otherwise be unavailable must reschedule existing hearings by agreed order or by motion for continuance and ruling from the Presiding Court.
Page 29 | Local Rule 10. Vacations and Other Unavailability - B. Existing Settings
Trial settings may be passed or reset only by a settlement agreement announced in open court, an agreed order/agreement of all parties with Court approval, or a granted Motion for Continuance.
No setting shall be passed or reset except by: (a) settlement agreement announced in open court complying with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure; (b) Agreed Order to Dismiss/agreement of all parties with Court approval; or (c) a Motion for Continuance granted by the Court.
Page 40 | TRIALS
Once a setting has been noticed, it may be dropped only with the agreement of all present parties.
Once noticed, a setting may be dropped only by agreement of all present parties.
Page 10 | Local Rule 6. Scheduling Hearings and Trials — B. Presiding Court Announcements
Requests for an amended docket control order extending the trial date beyond the suggested completion dates (18, 12, or 6 months) will require a hearing.
Any requests for an amended docket control order that extends the trial date further than the suggested completion dates listed above will require a hearing.
Page 33 | 225th District Court Local Rules and Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Documents must not be emailed to any court or staff counsel email address in advance of an appearance; for remote appearances the Presiding Judge will direct where to email them at the time of appearance.
DO NOT email documents to ANY court and staff counsel email addresses in advance of your appearance. If appearing remotely, the Presiding Judge will tell you where to email your documents when you make your appearance for this docket. Failure to follow these instructions will delay your case.
Page 21
Trial announcements must be emailed to monitoringcourt@bexar.org.
The responses must be sent electronically to monitoringcourt@bexar.org.
Page 23 | Local Rule 5. Jury Docket - C. Procedures, 1. Announcements
Trial-setting appearances must be in person; motion hearings may appear by Zoom using the Monitoring Court link and phone number.
All appearances for trial settings must be in person. Appearances for hearings on motions may be by Zoom. The link to Monitoring Court ZOOM is https://zoom.us/my/monitoringcourt. The Zoom telephone access number for Monitoring Court is 1-346-248-7799. The Zoom personal meeting identification number: 992-478-8545.
Page 23 | Local Rule 5. Jury Docket - B. Appearances
A party must notify the Office of the Civil District Court General Administrative Counsel immediately if a requested interpreter is no longer needed.
If the party requesting the interpreter determines that the interpreter is no longer required, the party must notify the Office of the Civil District Court General Administrative Counsel immediately.
Page 31 | Local Rule 12. Foreign Language and Sign Language Interpreters
Hearing requests must be emailed to 225settings@bexar.org including all counsel and self-represented litigants, with an estimated time announcement and a preferred time window (applies to both under-3-hour and 3-plus-hour settings).
If a hearing is needed send a request to 225settings@bexar.org that includes all counsel/self-represented litigants. The email should include an estimated time announcement (including reading time if necessary) and provide a preferred time window for the hearing
Page 33 | SETTING A HEARING WITH A TIME ANNOUNCEMENT OF LESS THAN 3 HOURS
Requests for a hearing on a summary judgment motion must be submitted to 225settings@bexar.org within 10 days of the filing of the motion.
If a party would like to request a hearing on the motion they are to submit a request to 225settings@bexar.org within 10 days of the filing of the motion.
Page 34 | MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGEMENT
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must email the Court Clerk when a motion for summary judgment has been filed.
Attorneys/self-represented litigants are to email the Court Clerk when a motion for summary judgment has been filed.
Page 34 | MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGEMENT
After filing a request for emergency relief in the 225th District Court, the filer must call the court at (210)335-2233 to arrange a time to present the request.
Once a request for emergency relief has been filed in the 225th District Court call the court at (210)335-2233 to arrange a time to present the request.
Page 35 | REQUESTS FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF
Scheduling of contested matters must be coordinated through the Court Clerk via the clerk's email to obtain available hearing dates.
All scheduling will be coordinated through the Court Clerk, Amber Martinez at amber.martinezG.iJhexar.org. Please contact the clerk or coordinator to obtain the available dates and times for your case to be heard.
Page 37 | CONTESTED MATTERS
For emergency matters, parties must notify the clerk immediately so the court treats the issue as urgent and provides an expedited hearing as soon as possible.
For all emergency matters, please notify the clerk immediately. Once the clerk has been advised, the cou1i will treat the issue as urgent and recognize that you are requesting an expedited hearing. The clerk will then inform the court accordingly, and you will be provided with an emergency hearing as soon as possible.
Page 40 | EMERGENCY/EX PARTE MATTERS
After e-filing a matter for a visiting judge, the filer must email the envelope number to the visiting judge (who will provide their email address) to ensure timely signing.
AFTER you have efiled, email the envelope number to the Visiting Judge. They will provide you with their email address.
Page 2 | Please forward to Visiting Judge Queue
For interpretation in languages other than Spanish, arrangements must be made with court administration by phone at (210) 335-2300 at least 10 days before the hearing.
For languages other than Spanish interpretation, please make arrangements with court administration 10 days in advance of the hearing at (210) 335-2300.
Page 18 | Setting Hearings
Parties needing an interpreter other than Spanish must schedule it through the Office of the Civil District Court General Administrative Counsel at (210) 335-2300, calling at least 10 days before the hearing or trial when possible.
All interpreters are scheduled through the Office of the Civil District Court General Administrative Counsel (210) 335-2300. A party that needs an interpreter, other than Spanish language interpreters, should, to the extent possible, call the office to arrange for the interpreter at least 10 days in advance of the hearing or trial.
Page 31 | Local Rule 12. Foreign Language and Sign Language Interpreters
Parties must contact the Court if a hearing is no longer needed or the time announcement is altered significantly (appears in both hearing-setting procedures).
If the hearing is no longer needed or the time announcement is altered significantly, please contact the Court.
Page 33 | SETTING A HEARING WITH A TIME ANNOUNCEMENT OF LESS THAN 3 HOURS
A party requesting a hearing on a summary judgment motion must contact the court's clerk or coordinator to schedule a date.
Should a pa11y require a hearing, they must contact the court's clerk or coordinator to schedule an appropriate date.
Page 38 | SUMMARY JUDGMENTS
Questions about filings may be directed to Civil Filing at 210-335-2621.
You can contact Civil Filing at 210-335-2621 for questions on filings.
Page 2 | Matters heard or to be heard at the 1:30 Walk-up Docket – Refer to Local Rules H(7)
The Office of Civil District Courts Administration is located on the 5th Floor and can be reached by phone at (210) 335-2300.
OFFICE OF CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS ADMINISTRATION• 5TH FLOOR• PHONE• (210) 335-2300
Page 3 | Important Tips
Call 210-335-2520 to request special trial settings or non-jury referrals.
If you are seeking a Special setting or Non-Jury referral, please call 210-335-2520 for available dates.
Page 1 | 2026 Available Jury Trial Settings
The Office of Civil District Courts Administration (5th floor) can be reached by phone at (210) 335-2300 or fax at (210) 335-3843.
OFFICE OF CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS ADMINISTRATION• 5TH FLOOR• PHONE• (210) 335-2300 • FAX (210) 335-3843
Page 1 | OFFICE OF CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS ADMINISTRATION
All docket settings are handled by the Presiding Civil District Clerk, who can be reached at 210-335-2000.
Settings on all dockets are handled by the Presiding Civil District Clerk: 210-335-2000.
Page 10 | Local Rule 6. Scheduling Hearings and Trials
The State's protective order docket is called in Monitoring Court each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:00 a.m., and inquiries about it should be directed to the District Attorney's Office at 210-631-0100.
Each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the State's protective order docket is called in the Monitoring Court at 9:00 a.m.. Inquiries regarding the State's protective order docket should be directed to the District Attorney's Office at 210-631-0100.
Page 25 | D. Motions
The Presiding Court can be reached by phone at 210-335-2000 for scheduling non-jury trials and hearings.
A party may schedule a nonjury trial or hearing by filing a motion to set on a specific date and time with the Presiding Court (210-335-2000) and serving a copy of the motion and a conformed copy of the order on all other parties.
Page 27 | Local Rule 6. Scheduling Hearings and Trials
ADA accommodation requests should be made in advance of any scheduled hearing by calling the Civil District Court Administration at (210)335-2300.
Requests for ADA accommodations should be made in advance of any scheduled hearing to the Civil District Court Administration at (210)335-2300.
Page 35 | ADA ACCOMODATIONS