Chambers County Court at Law
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
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Communication
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Chambers
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Document Format Requirements1 rule
Requests for hearings should be made in writing to the court in which the matter is pending in accordance with these rules
Document Filing Requirements15 rules
Any party unable to provide such information above must file a pleading requesting an exception to this rule.
The order granting or denying such motion shall contain an order resetting the case for trial for a specific date and time.
In the event that the court renders an oral final order, the court shall require a party to prepare a written final order complying with the court's ruling. The party preparing the order shall obtain. approval and signature as to form from the opposing counsel or pro se litigant. If signatures are not obtained, then a motion to enter the judgment or order should be set for oral hearing or by submission.
Sureties requesting a release on their liability on a Bail Bond must complete an Affidavit to Release Surety and present the completed affidavit along with an Order of Surrender to the Court in which the case of the defendant is currently pending.
The petitioner must attach a copy of this Order to the original petition and each copy, and the District Clerk must ensure attachment if the petitioner has not done so.
Court's wording
The petitioner in a divorce case or SAPCR shall attach a copy of this Order to the original petition filed in the case and each copy of the petition. At the time the petition is filed, if the petitioner has not attached a copy of this Order to the petition, the District Clerk shall ensure that a copy of this Order is attached to the petition and every copy of the petition presented.
The media notice must specify requested coverage methods and locations, be signed by an agent of each participating media agency, and acknowledge receipt of and agreement to be bound by the Media Plan.
Court's wording
The notice shall include any specific requests, such as broadcasting, photographing, audio recording, or video recording by any means and the location(s) requested, i.e., inside the courtroom and/or inside the courtroom building. The notice shall be signed by an agent of each specific media agency that intends to cover a proceeding or a trial, and the notice shall contain an acknowledgement that such media agency and agent has received a copy of this Media Plan and Rules Regarding Recording and that this Media Plan and Rules Regarding Recording is binding upon said media agency and agent.
Any party unable to provide such information above must file a pleading requesting an exception to this rule.
The order granting or denying such motion shall contain an order resetting the case for trial for a specific date and time.
In the event that the court renders an oral final order, the court shall require a party to prepare a written final order complying with the court's ruling. The party preparing the order shall obtain. approval and signature as to form from the opposing counsel or pro se litigant.
Sureties requesting a release on their liability on a Bail Bond must complete an Affidavit to Release Surety and present the completed affidavit along with an Order of Surrender to the Court in which the case of the defendant is currently pending.
All pro se litigants upon filing any petition or responsive pleading should provide an email address for service via efile, as well as address and current phone number.
All pro se litigants upon filing any petition or responsive pleading should provide an email address for service via efile, as well as address and current phone number.
The District and County Clerk must submit a copy of the rules to the Office of Court Administration and record them in the County Court at Law minutes.
Court's wording
The District and County Clerk of Chambers County, Texas is directed to submit a copy of these rules to the Office of Court Administration pursuant to Rule 3a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and to record these Rules in Minutes of the County Court at Law.
It is the duty of the Clerk of the Court to prepare a Judgement NISI with the aid of the County Attorney.
The District and County Clerk must submit a copy of the rules to the Office of Court Administration and record them in the County Court at Law minutes.
Court's wording
The District and County Clerk of Chambers County, Texas is directed to submit a copy of these rules to the Office of Court Administration pursuant to Rule 3a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and to record these Rules in Minutes of the County Court at Law.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Chambers County adheres to the Texas Supreme Court’s mandatory e-filing rules and procedures.
2. FILING: Cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $20,000 may be filed with the County Clerk. Chambers County adheres to the mandatory e-filing rules and procedures as promulgated by the Texas Supreme Court.
Page 1 | 2. FILING
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A written Motion to Retain must be filed before the dismissal date stated in the notice or the case shall be dismissed.
Unless a written Motion to Retain has been filed prior to the dismissal date as set forth in the notice of intention to dismiss, such case shall be dismissed;
Page 5 | 3.6.3. Motion to Retain
This Order remains in full force and effect as a temporary restraining order for fourteen days after the original petition is filed. If no party contests this Order by presenting evidence at a hearing or before the fourteenth day after the original petition is filed, this Order shall continue in full force and effect as a temporary injunction until further order of the Court.
This Order remains in full force and effect as a temporary restraining order for fourteen days after the original petition is filed. If no party contests this Order by presenting evidence at a hearing or before the fourteenth day after the original petition is filed, this Order shall continue in full force and effect as a temporary injunction until further order of the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 1.3 When this Order Starts and Ends
A written Motion to Retain must be filed before the dismissal date stated in the notice to avoid dismissal.
Unless a written Motion to Retain has been filed prior to the dismissal date as set forth in the notice of intention to dismiss, such case shall be dismissed;
Page 15 | 3.6.3. Motion to Retain
Failure to mail the specified notices does not affect periods under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 306a, except as that rule provides.
Failure to mail notices as set out above shall not affect any of the periods mentioned in Rule 306a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure except as provided in that rule.
Page 5 | 3.6.3. Motion to Retain
Family law cases should be tried or dismissed within six months of the appearance date or, when a Family Code waiting period applies, within six months of its expiration, whichever is later.
Cases should be tried or dismissed within 6 months from the appearance date or within 6 months from the expiration of the waiting period provided by the Family Code where such is required, whichever is later.
Page 6 | Rule 4.2 Time Standards for Family Law Case Disposition
Temporary orders should be presented for entry within ten days after the hearing or on the entry date set by the court.
All temporary orders should be presented to the court for entry within ten (10) days after the hearing or at the entry date set by the court.
Page 6 | 4.3.2 Temporary Orders Entry
Temporary orders should be presented for entry within ten days after the hearing or on the entry date set by the Court.
All temporary orders should be presented to the court for entry within ten (I 0) days after the hearing or at the entry date set by the court.
Page 16 | 4.3.2 Temporary Orders Entry
An attorney’s written designation of vacation weeks outside June, July, and August must be filed with the County Clerk at least 90 days before the designated weeks.
Written designation for vacations in months other than June, July and/or August must be filed with the County Clerk no later than 90 days prior to the weeks being designated.
Page 2 | 9. VACATIONS OF COUNSEL
An attorney’s written designation of June, July, or August vacation weeks must be filed with the County Clerk by May 15 of that year.
Written designation for vacation weeks during June, July and/or August must be filed with the County Clerk by May 15 of each respective year.
Page 2 | 9. VACATIONS OF COUNSEL
Service and Proof of Service Rules
and the attorneys making such request shall serve all counsel and parties appearing pro se with notice of the hearing.
and the attorneys making such request shall serve all counsel and parties appearing pro se with notice of the hearing.
Page 4 | 3.5.2. Setting Requests
The District Clerk must promptly send notice of the court's intention to dismiss to each attorney of record and pro se litigant with an address in the clerk's file.
When a case has been placed on the dismissal docket, the District Clerk shall promptly send notice of the court's intention to dismiss for want of prosecution: to each attorney of record and pro se litigant whose address is shown in the clerk's file.
Page 5 | 3.6.2. Notice
Notice of the signing of an order of dismissal must be given as required by Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 165a.
Notice of the signing of the order of dismissal shall be given as required by Rule 165a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Page 5 | 3.6.3. Motion to Retain
The defendant and sureties must be served with citation in the Judgment NISI proceeding.
The Judgment NISI proceeding will be docketed as a civil matter in the court that ordered the forfeiture and the defendant and their sureties shall be served with citation.
Page 7 | Rule 5.4 Bond Forfeiture
Sureties must receive 60 days' advance notice of any trial setting.
The sureties shall be given sixty days advance notice of any trial setting.
Page 7 | Rule 5.4 Bond Forfeiture
Attorneys requesting a hearing must serve notice of the hearing on all counsel and parties appearing pro se.
the attorneys making such request shall serve all counsel and parties appearing pro se with notice of the hearing.
Page 4 | Rule 3.5.2 Setting Requests
Notice of the signed dismissal order must be given according to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 165a.
Notice of the signing of the order of dismissal shall be given as required by Rule 165a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Page 15 | 3.6.3. Motion to Retain
The District Clerk must promptly send dismissal-intention notice to attorneys of record and pro se litigants whose addresses appear in the clerk’s file.
When a case has been placed on the dismissal docket, the District Clerk shall promptly send notice of the court' s intention to dismiss for want of prosecution: to each attorney of record and prose litigant whose address is shown in the clerk' s file .
Page 15 | 3.6.2. Notice
Sureties must receive 60 days’ advance notice of any trial setting.
The sureties shal l be given sixty days' advance notice of any trial setting.
Page 17 | 5.4 Bond Forfeiture
The Judgment NISI proceeding is docketed as a civil matter in the court that ordered forfeiture, and the defendant and sureties must be served with citation.
The Judgment NISI proceeding will be docketed as a civil matter in the court that ordered the forfeiture and the defendant and their sureties shall be served with citation.
Page 17 | 5.4 Bond Forfeiture
For each probate or guardianship hearing setting, the requesting attorney must give the opposing attorneys and any applicable ad litem notice as required by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
The requesting attorney shall give proper notice as required by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to all opposing attorneys and ad litem, if applicable, of each setting.
Page 1 | 8. SETTING PROBATE AND GUARDIANSHIP CASES
Notice provisions for other civil proceedings do not necessarily apply to juvenile matters, which are handled under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Family Code.
Notice provisions applicable to other civil proceedings are not necessarily applicable to these proceedings which shall be handled in accordance with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Family Code.
Page 2 | 11. JUVENILE COURT MATTERS
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A motion to continue a trial setting must be presented pursuant to the docket control order or the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Any motion for continuance of the trial setting shall be presented to the Court pursuant to the docket control order, or the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Page 5 | Rule 3.7 Continuances
A motion to continue a trial setting must be presented pursuant to the docket control order or the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Any motion for continuance of the trial setting shall be presented to the Court pursuant to the docket control order, or the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Page 15 | Rule 3. 7 Continuances
A case may be passed or continued only with opposing counsel’s and the County Judge’s agreement, and it remains on the docket until the County Judge approves the request.
Cases may be passed or continued from the date set only upon agreement of the opposing counsel AND the County Judge. A case is not removed from the docket until the pass or continuance is approved by the County Judge.
Page 1 | 6. AGREED PASS OR AGREED CONTINUANCE
When an attorney is actually in trial, the court may hold or reset the case based on when the attorney will be released; if the attorney is not actually in trial as represented, the case will proceed without further notice.
When informed that an attorney is presently in trial, the court will determine where and when assigned. This information will be certified upon request of opposing counsel and/or the Court. The case will be placed on "hold" or reset, depending upon when the attorney will be released. If the attorney is not actually in trial as represented by the attorney or his agent, the case will be tried without further notice.
Page 18 | RULE 6 — CONFLICTING ENGAGEMENTS OF ATTORNEYS, A. Attorney already in trial in another court
Chambers Communication Rules
An attorney who settles or dismisses a case set for trial must notify the Court as soon as possible.
When an attorney settles or dismisses a case which is set for trial, he/she shall give notice to the Court as soon as possible.
Page 6 | Rule 3.9 Settlements
Attorneys must call the affected judge's attention to any dual settings as soon as they learn of them.
It is the duty of every attorney to call the affected judge's attention to all dual settings as soon as they are known.
Page 8 | RULE 6 — CONFLICTING ENGAGMENTS OF ATTORNEYS
Do not approach a judge, court staff, or a trial participant on the courtroom-building premises.
For security reasons, DO NOT approach any Judge, court staff, or trial participant on the premises of the courtroom building.
Page 2 | 2. Restrictions
Media must notify the Court Coordinator in writing and request permission at least 72 hours before coverage.
The media shall notify the Court Coordinator of the County Court at Law in writing of their desire to broadcast or record a proceeding and request permission for such coverage at least seventy- two (72) hours in advance of any coverage.
Page 2 | 4. Media Coverage
Transcript requests must be made in writing to the Official Court Reporter.
All requests for transcripts of court proceedings must be made in writing to the Official Court Reporter of the County Court at Law.
Page 4 | 6. Trial Transcripts
An attorney who settles or dismisses a case set for trial must notify the Court as soon as possible.
When an attorney settles or dismisses a case which is set for trial, he/she shall give notice to the Court as soon as possible.
Page 16 | Rule 3. 9 Settlements
An attorney must call the affected judge’s attention to all conflicting court settings as soon as the attorney learns of them.
It is the duty of every attorney to call the affected judge' s attention to all dual settings as soon as they are known.
Page 18 | RULE 6 — CONFLICTING ENGAGEMENTS OF ATTORNEYS, B. Attorney assigned to two courts for the same date
The clerk may respond to telephone requests only about the listed case and filing information.
The court clerk shall limit response to telephone requests for the information of the following: Whether or not a specific document has been filed (i.e. answer). Existence of a case on file. Return of service and date. Correct style of case when correct cause number is supplied. If an order has been signed. Whether or not a jury fee has been paid and date of payment.
Page 3 | Rule 3.3 District Clerk & County Clerk — A. Telephone Requests
Hearing requests should be made in writing to the court where the matter is pending, in accordance with the rules.
Requests for hearings should be made in writing to the court in which the matter is pending in accordance with these rules,
Page 4 | 3.5.2. Setting Requests
Ex parte restraining and protective orders should be presented to the assigned court, and only that court's coordinator or administrator may set the hearing.
Ex Parte Restraining Orders and Protective Orders should be presented to the court in which it has been assigned. Only the court coordinator/administrator of the court may set the hearing.
Page 6 | 4.3.1. Ex Parte Restraining Orders and Protective Orders
Only media may request permission to record or broadcast court proceedings.
Only media may request permission to have the media record or broadcast court proceedings.
Page 2 | 4. Media Coverage
The clerk's responses to telephone requests are limited to the listed case, filing, service, order, and jury-fee information.
The court clerk shall limit response to telephone requests for the information of the following: Whether or not a specific document has been filed (i.e. answer). Existence of a case on file. Return of service and date. Correct style of case when correct cause number is supplied. If an order has been signed. Whether or not a jury fee has been paid and date of payment.
Page 3 | Rule 3.3 District Clerk & County Clerk, A. Telephone Requests
After the surety answers or defaults, the Clerk of the Court must notify the proper court coordinator so a trial setting can be docketed.
After the surety files an answer or defaults, the Clerk of the Court shall notify the proper court coordinator for a trial setting to be docketed.
Page 17 | 5.4 Bond Forfeiture
Hearing requests in probate and guardianship matters must be made to the Court by telephone or in writing.
Requests for a hearing on probate and guardianship matters shall be made by telephone or in writing to the Court.
Page 1 | 8. SETTING PROBATE AND GUARDIANSHIP CASES