Judge Erica R. Hughes
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
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Document Filing Requirements57 rules
For summary judgment motions, a request for oral hearing must appear in the title of the motion.
If a movant requests an oral hearing, the request must appear in the title of the motion. For example: “[Party’s] Traditional Motion for Summary Judgment and Request for Oral Hearing.” If the request for oral hearing does not appear in the title of the motion, the motion will be placed on the Court’s submission docket.
Document Type
Summary Judgment Motion
Default judgment motions must state whether the judgment is final or interlocutory.
Default judgments are set on the submission docket unless you need to prove up unliquidated damages. Please make clear in your motion and proposed judgment whether the judgment will be final (disposing of all claims and all parties) or interlocutory (partial).
Document Type
Default Judgment
To pass a hearing, use the e-Hearing system and/or efile a Notice to Pass, specifying time, date, and motion.
If you wish to pass an oral hearing or submission setting. Pass the setting on the e-Hearing system and/or efile a Notice to Pass the hearing. Specify the time, date and motion to be discussed.
Document Type
Notice To Pass
When citing unpublished opinions, counsel must provide the Westlaw citation; Lexis citations are not acceptable unless a copy is provided.
If citing an unpublished opinion, counsel shall provide the Westlaw citation. The Court does not use Lexis; Lexis citations are not acceptable unless a copy of the unpublished opinion is provided to the Court.
Document Type
Motion
Motions without a proposed order may be passed, and multiple motions must not be combined into a single proposed order.
The Court may pass any hearing on a motion filed without a proposed order. Do not combine multiple motions into a single proposed order.
Document Type
Motion
All motions must include a certificate of conference that explicitly describes efforts to resolve the motion.
All motions must have certificates of conference as required by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and our local rules. All certificates of conference must be explicit as to the party’s efforts to resolve the motion with all other parties/counsel prior to filing.
Document Type
Motion
Motions to withdraw as attorney of record require a certificate of conference.
These motions DO require a certificate of conference, as opposing counsel has a right to be heard on these motions.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw
All continuance or reset motions must state the number of the continuance motion being filed.
continuance).In addition, ALL continuance or reset motions (whether agreed, unopposed or opposed) MUST state what number continuance motion is being filed (i.e. "Plaintiff’s First” or “Defendant’s Second” or “Third Agreed Motion,”
Document Type
Continuance Motion
Requests for oral hearing or continuance must be filed separately from the response with proposed orders attached.
Please clearly identify your request for an oral hearing or your request to continue the hearing by filing them separately from your response with proposed orders attached.
Document Type
Motion For Oral Hearing
Requests for attorney's fees as sanctions must be supported by affidavit or live testimony unless the parties agree.
All requests for attorney’s fees as sanctions MUST be established by affidavit (preferred) or live testimony as to reasonableness and necessity (and meet other legal requirements), unless the parties agree on the record, in a filed Rule 11 Agreement, or an agreed order as to the amount.
Document Type
Sanctions Motion
Exhibits must not be altered or marked through during court proceedings.
Do not alter or mark through exhibits with pen/pencil/marker during court proceedings. Should this occur, the exhibit (s) will not be accepted.
Document Type
Exhibit
Passing a summary judgment motion is not permitted; a party must proceed or withdraw it.
Passing a motion for summary judgment is not permitted under Rule 166a, as amended. A party must either proceed on the motion or withdraw it. Any request to reset the hearing or submission must strictly comply with Rule 166a and will be granted only if authorized by the rule.
Document Type
Summary Judgment Motion
Trial or pretrial deadline continuance motions must include an affidavit unless agreed, and must state the number of the continuance motion.
Motions for trial or pretrial deadline continuances MUST be accompanied by an appropriate affidavit, unless they are agreed. Continuance motions should be filed early. ALL continuance or reset motions (whether agreed, unopposed or opposed) MUST state what number continuance motion is being filed (i.e.“Plaintiff’s First” or “Defendant’s Second” or “Third Agreed Motion,”etc.).
Document Type
Continuance Motion
Agreed motions and orders must include signature blocks for all agreeing parties and state 'AGREED AS TO SUBSTANCE AND FORM AND ENTRY REQUESTED' above the signature block.
If a motion is actually agreed, the motion and order should contain signature blocks for all parties that are agreed to the relief requested and should state “AGREED AS TO SUBSTANCE AND FORM AND ENTRY REQUESTED” above the signature block.
Document Type
Agreed Motion
Special exceptions must identify the page and paragraph, and the proposed order should restate the paragraphs with blanks for sustained/overruled.
Special Exceptions Please explicitly identify by page and paragraph the pleading or portion thereof to which you are specially excepting (unless the special exception is only to the maximum amount of damages sought pursuant to TRCP 47).Parties are encouraged to restate verbatim the paragraph(s) to which your special exceptions apply in the proposed order and provide blanks in which the Court may check "sustained" or "overruled" as to each separate matter to which the movant is specially
Document Type
Special Exception
Every motion must be accompanied by a proposed order.
All motions should be accompanied with an Order.
Document Type
Motion
Counsel must ensure all cited authorities exist and are accurately quoted; fabricated citations will result in denial of relief.
Counsel are responsible for ensuring that all cited authorities exist and are accurately quoted. Citations to nonexistent, fabricated, or “hallucinated” cases will not be tolerated. If the Court determines that a motion contains such citations upon which its request for relief relies, the requested relief will be denied without further consideration.
Document Type
Motion
Each motion or document requesting relief must include a certificate of service, certificate of conference (as required), a proposed order, and indexed exhibits.
File your motion or other document with a certificate of service, (include certificate of conference as required by the TRCP) and a proposed order each time you ask the Court to grant or deny relief. Please index your exhibits.
Document Type
Motion
Default judgment filings must include a non-military affidavit and a Certificate of Last Known Address.
(partial). Please submit the proper non-military affidavit by visiting the Defense Manpower Data Center’s (DMDC) Military Verification service athttps://scra.dmdc.osd.mil. A Certificate of Last Known Address must be filed.
Document Type
Default Judgment
If service was at a different address than on the citation, a Motion to Amend Citation with a proposed order must be filed.
If the defaulting party was served at an address different from the one listed on the citation, the movant must file a Motion to Amend Citation. This motion should request that the citation be amended to reflect the address where valid service was achieved and should include a proposed Order to Amend Citation.
Document Type
Motion To Amend Citation
Severance motions and orders must contain specified information including new case details, parties, pleadings, attorney information, and status.
All motions and orders for severance must contain the following: ·New case number, court number, case type and new style name; ·Reference the parties in the new suit; ·List of original pleadings to be severed out and transferred to the new case (together with a listing of the document type, activity date for the document, number of pages and image number); ·Indicate attorney name, address and bar number to whom costs for the severance are to be assessed; and ·Indicate the severance case's status, and whether the new case file is interlocutory (not a final appealable matter) or whether severance will cause the newly severed matter to be final and appealable upon severance.
Document Type
Severance Motion
To withdraw a summary judgment motion, a written notice titled 'Notice of Withdrawal of Motion for Summary Judgment' must be filed, identifying the original filing date.
To withdraw a motion for summary judgment, the party must file a written notice of withdrawal with the Court. The notice shall be titled “Notice of Withdrawal of Motion for Summary Judgment” and, pursuant to Rule 166a, as amended, must identify the date the motion was originally filed.
Document Type
Notice Of Withdrawal
Discovery motions must include a certificate of conference as required by TRCP 191.2.
The Court requires complete compliance with TRCP 191.2, which state as follows: “Parties and their attorneys are expected to cooperate in discovery and to make any agreements reasonably necessary for the efficient disposition of the case. All discovery motions or requests for hearings relating to discovery must contain a certificate by the party filing the motion or request that a reasonable effort has been made to resolve the dispute without the necessity of Court intervention and the effort failed.”
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Discovery motions must include an explicit certificate of conference and must submit the discovery responses as sub-documents or state them verbatim in the motion.
Always consult with each other (preferably lead attorney on the case to opposing lead attorney on the case) before filing any motions related to discovery. Include an explicit certificate of conference as described in the section of these procedures titled “Certificates of Conference”. Be sure to submit the discovery response(s) at issue as sub-documents when e-filing, or state verbatim the request and answer in the body of your motion.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Motions to withdraw as attorney of record must contain specified information about client notice, consent, contact info, and efforts to find substitute counsel.
All motions and proposed orders to withdraw as attorney of record must contain the following: ·An indication that the motion to withdraw and notice of the hearing or notice of submission was provided to the client, including evidence of mailing the motion to the client; ·An indication of whether or not the client consents to the motion; ·The last known mailing address, email, phone and fax number of client(s); and ·Notice to client that client has the right to appear at the hearing to object to the motion or file a response prior to the submission of the motion; ·Please make reasonable efforts to find substitute counsel in the appropriate case so that the client’s interests are protected;
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw
Default judgment motions seeking attorney's fees must include an affidavit addressing counsel's experience, work performed, time spent, and hourly rate.
When seeking attorney’s fees in a motion for default judgment, the movant must include an affidavit providing competent evidence to support the claim. At a minimum, the affidavit should address: (1) counsel’s experience; (2) the work performed in the case; (3) the time spent performing that work; and (4) the hourly rate charged.
Document Type
Default Judgment
Final orders must state they dispose of all claims and parties; non-suit documents must state Rule 162.
Final orders MUST state that the order disposes of all claims and all parties and is intended to be a final, appealable order. Motions and notices of non-suit as well as orders of non-suit should expressly state that they are being filed pursuant to Rule 162 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Document Type
Final Order
Discovery motions and proposed orders must identify each discovery issue separately.
The motion and proposed order must identify each discovery issue separately. Proposed orders shall list each disputed request or objection individually, allowing the Court to grant or deny relief as to each item.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Default judgment motions requesting damages or fees must include exhibits to prove the damages.
If you are requesting damages or fees, the Court requires you to provide exhibits to prove up the damages sought.
Document Type
Default Judgment
Rule 106 motions for substituted service must include an affidavit with verification efforts, service attempts, persons present, and public record printout.
All motions for substituted service under Rule 106 must be accompanied by an affidavit that includes the following information: ·Efforts taken to verify that defendant actually lives or works at the subject address; ·Each attempt at service, with date(s) and time(s); ·Identity of persons who were present at the subject address and what was said; and · A printout of some public record or Public Data.com or similar online database confirming that the person to be served actually resides at the address at which service is being attempted.
Document Type
Motion For Substituted Service
Non-suits, dismissals, and judgments must be titled as interlocutory or final, and interlocutory orders must list parties/claims.
All non-suits, dismissals and judgments should be titled as interlocutory or final. Interlocutory orders should expressly list which parties and claims are being dismissed and which remain, if any.
Document Type
Nonsuit
Late responses must be accompanied by a motion for leave with a proposed order.
Responses that are filed after the response deadline provided for in the rules MUST be accompanied by a separate motion for leave to late file the response with a proposed order.
Document Type
Response
A proposed Final Judgment must be filed before obtaining a hearing date for a minor's settlement.
A proposed Final Judgment must be filed before contacting the Clerk to obtain a hearing date on the minor’s settlement.
Document Type
Final Judgment
Certificates of conference are required for all motions, pleas, and special exceptions except those specifically exempted.
The Court also requires complete compliance with Rule 3.3.6. of the Local Rules of the Civil Trial Division of the Harris County District Courts, which states as follows: “The certificates of conference required by the TRCP are extended to all motions, pleas and special exceptions except summary judgments, default judgments, agreed judgments, motions for voluntary dismissal or non-suit, post-verdict motions and motions involving service of citation.”
Document Type
Motion
Email or telephone call is insufficient to withdraw a summary judgment motion.
An email to, or telephone call with, the Clerk advising of an intent to withdraw the motion is insufficient and does not constitute withdrawal or compliance with Rule 166a.
Document Type
Notice Of Withdrawal
Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law must be filed prior to trial, with courtesy copies emailed in Word format.
of Law In a non-jury trial, proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law MUST be filed prior to trial to enable the court to follow along during trial.Courtesy copies should be filed via e-mail to the Trial Coordinator in Microsoft Word
Document Type
Proposed Findings Conclusions
Settlements involving minor children require a Guardian ad Litem and an Agreed Motion and Proposed Order for Appointment.
A Guardian ad Litem is required in all settlements involving minor children. The parties shall file an Agreed Motion and Proposed Order for Appointment of Guardian ad Litem.
Document Type
Motion For Appointment Of Gal
The notice for a minor settlement hearing must include the Zoom link for the 151st District Court.
The attorney filing the notice must include the Zoom link for the 151st District Court. The notice MUST be filed with the Zoom information.
Document Type
Notice
The first Motion to Retain may be granted only if a Motion for Substitute Service was granted at least 6 months prior.
Re: Cases where there is no answer filed The first Motion to Retain may be granted only if a Motion for Substitute Service was granted at least 6 months prior to the filing.
Document Type
Motion To Retain
Agreed or unopposed motions need not be set for hearing and must be titled as agreed or unopposed.
Agreed or unopposed motions do not have to be placed on the court’s oral hearing or submission docket, unless otherwise stated by Judge Hughes. All unopposed or agreed motions should be titled as such.
Document Type
Agreed Motion
When assigned to trial, parties must email the proposed jury charge to the Trial Coordinator in Microsoft Word format.
Only when actually assigned to trial, the parties should email the Trial Coordinator their proposed charge to the court in Microsoft Word format so that the court may compile the court’s charge as the trial proceeds.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Charge
All dismissals should be filed with prejudice.
Document Type
Dismissal
Proposed orders should list each discovery issue separately.
Proposed orders should list each discovery issue separately so that the court may sign a specific order granting or denying the requested relief.
Document Type
Proposed Order
If deposition objections remain, a motion to rule on the objections must be filed as soon as possible.
If objections remain, then the party seeking to exclude the testimony should file a motion to rule on the objections as soon as possible so that the court can promptly rule on the objections prior to voir dire.
Document Type
Motion To Rule On Objections
Longer or more complex proposed orders may be required to be emailed in Word format, and a cover letter stating whether the order is agreed as to form must be included.
In some instances, the Court may require that longer or more complex proposed orders be emailed to the Clerk in Word format. When submitting a proposed order, include a cover letter stating whether the order is agreed as to form.
Document Type
Proposed Order
If parties request or agree to a summer trial setting, they must expressly waive conflicting vacation letters.
If the parties request or agree to a summer trial setting, they must also expressly waive any vacation letters that would conflict with that setting.
Document Type
Motion For Summer Trial
For nonsuits involving minors, the Court must be informed whether the minor is receiving a settlement.
NONSUITS INVOLVING MINORS: If you are seeking to dismiss or nonsuit a minor's claim, the Court will want to know whether the minor is receiving a settlement to determine whether a Guardian Ad Litem should be appointed.
Document Type
Nonsuit
Rule 106 motions should be accompanied by the court's form proposed order.
Any Rule 106 Motion should be accompanied by this form proposed order. Failure to do so may delay the court’s granting of an otherwise proper motion.
Document Type
Motion For Substituted Service
First and second agreed continuances should be filed as a Rule 11 Notice and include the reason for the continuance.
First and second agreed continuances should be filed as a Rule 11 Notice. Please include the reason that you are requesting a continuance as you would in the motion.
Document Type
Continuance Motion
Certificates of conference must summarize reasonable efforts; sending a copy, email, or phone message without more is not a conference.
Please summarize your reasonable efforts in your certificate. Note: sending a copy of a motion, without more, is not a conference. Sending an e-mail or leaving a telephone message, without more, is not a conference. If opposing counsel refuses to return numerous phone calls or other messages, describe your efforts to confer in your certificate of conference.
Document Type
Motion
The address on the notice must match the last known address in the petition.
The address on the notice must match the last known address in the petition. Request the Lien Holder issue a notice for hearing.
Document Type
Notice
Certain motions, including liquidated default judgments, motions to compel, and others, are considered only on submission.
The Court requires that certain motions be considered only on submission. These motions include; liquidated default judgment motions (unliquidated damages motions for default will, of course, require an oral hearing with a record), motions to compel, objections to discovery, motions to reinstate, motions to enroll pro hac vice, routine Rule 47 special exceptions, motions to withdraw as attorney of record, motion to substitute counsel, motion to appoint ad litems, referral and objections to mediation, motion to deposit registry funds, and motions for withdrawal of funds.
Document Type
Motion
If unable to reach the other side, the certificate must state efforts and be supplemented after conferring.
If a party was unable to reach the other side prior to filing the motion, the certificate should state the efforts to communicate with that party and should always be supplemented as soon as possible after the parties have actually conferred. If the court does not see a supplemented certificate in such circumstances, please expect a call/email from the Court Clerk asking for one.
Document Type
Motion
Final judgment in minor settlements must specify the disbursement method and Guardian ad Litem issuance within 30 days.
Final Judgment should include whether the minor's disbursement will be deposited into the court registry or structured settlement within 30 days after the judgment is signed. The Guardian Ad Litem should be issued within 30 days after the judgment is signed.
Document Type
Final Judgment
After scheduling a hearing, a notice of oral hearing or notice of written submission must be filed.
Once you have scheduled any hearing date with the court clerk, follow up with a notice of oral hearing or (if applicable) notice of written submission.
Document Type
Notice Of Oral Hearing
For HOA default judgments, only the lien foreclosure provisions and property description need to be submitted.
It is not necessary to submit the Association’s complete declarations. Only the lien foreclosure provisions are required for the Court’s review. Likewise, only the property description from the deed must be submitted for the Court’s consideration.
Document Type
Default Judgment
Preferential settings may be requested by motion in special circumstances.
Preferential settings are available in special circumstances and may be requested by motion.
Document Type
Motion For Preferential Setting
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All documents must be filed electronically through efiletexas.gov unless an exception under the Texas Supreme Court's e-filing rules applies.
All documents shall be filed electronically through efiletexas.gov except as permitted by the Texas Supreme Court's e-filing rules effective January 1, 2014.
Page 1 | FILINGS AND COURTESY COPIES
It is preferable to file documents electronically and then email the Court Clerk to bring the filing to their attention.
Keep in mind that processing times for e-filing have shortened, so it is preferable to file your documents electronically and then bring the filing to the Court Clerk's attention via email.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - B) Emergencies
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The appointee fee and proposed final judgment must be filed 24 hours prior to the hearing.
Please ensure the appointee fee and proposed final judgment are filed 24 hours prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - F) Minor Settlements
Final judgment must be submitted within 14 days after settlement notification or the case may be dismissed.
If a final judgment or other dispositive efiling is not submitted within fourteen (14) days after the Court is notified of the settlement, the case may be dismissed for want of prosecution.
Page 1 | SETTLEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Matters set for oral hearing later than the DCO deadline will not be considered without a motion for leave; dispositive motions on the eve of trial will not be considered.
PLEASE NOTE: Any matter that has been set by the parties for an oral hearing on a date later than the deadline in the DCO will not be considered by the court without a motion for leave explaining sufficient cause for the late filing. The court will NOT consider substantial and potentially dispositive (or outcome determinative) motions on the eve of trial or the morning of trial.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - C) Law Day Docket
Daubert motions to exclude experts must be filed and set for hearing well in advance of trial; late motions require a motion for leave with exceptionally good cause.
All motions to exclude experts should be filed AND set for hearing WELL IN ADVANCE OF TRIAL. The court will NOT consider such motions filed after the deadline in the docket control order without a motion for leave demonstrating exceptionally good cause. The Court cannot imagine a situation in which it would consider such a motion on the eve, or morning, of trial.
Page 1 | K. Daubert Motions
Replies for Monday hearings should be filed by Thursday; replies after Friday noon are unlikely to be considered.
Any replies that are filed after Friday at NOON for a Monday oral hearing are NOT LIKELY to be considered by the Court. The Court prepares diligently over the weekend for its Monday docket. If your reply is filed on Friday, there is a good chance it will not make it into the Court's electronic file for your case, and therefore, the Court will not be able to review it over the weekend. Please do everything in your power to file any necessary replies (or sur-replies, etc.) by Thursday before a Monday hearing.
Page 1 | 4. RESPONSES/REPLIES/OBJECTIONS
The Court may refuse to consider responses or replies filed after noon on a Friday before a Monday hearing.
The Court reserves the right to refuse to consider responses or replies filed after noon on a Friday before a Monday oral hearing or submission setting.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - C) Law Day Docket
If a jury panel larger than 60 is needed, advise the trial coordinator at least 45 days before trial.
If you need a panel larger than 60, please advise the trial coordinator at least 45 days before trial so that we may reserve the ceremonial courtroom.
Page 1 | 8. TRIALS - G) Jury Panel
If using a jury questionnaire, notify the court coordinator 30 days before trial.
If you are going to use a jury questionnaire, let the court coordinator know 30 days before trial.
Page 1 | 8. TRIALS - H) Voir Dire
All cases are automatically set for trial after the answer of a defendant is filed.
All cases are automatically set for trial after the answer of a defendant is filed.
Page 1 | 8. TRIALS - F) Trial Settings
The submission docket is held on Monday at 8:00 AM after 10 days' notice.
Submission docket is on Monday at 8:00 AM after 10 days’ notice.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - D) Submission Docket
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Parties must provide page/line for deposition witnesses prior to the docket call, and opposing counsel must promptly advise of objections.
Provide page/line for any witness anticipated to testify by deposition PRIOR to the docket call. Opposing counsel must promptly advise of any objections.
Page 1 | 8. TRIALS - B) Depositions
Default judgment movants must provide 10 days' notice via regular and certified mail and certify service.
The Court requires the movant to provide defaulting parties, as well as any other parties who have appeared in the case, with 10 days’ notice of the hearing and the default motion. Notice must be sent via regular and certified mail, and the movant must certify this action in a certificate of service.
Page 1 | D. Default Judgments
The movant must provide written notice of the hearing to the Court and all parties, and must advise if passing the hearing.
It is the movant’s responsibility to provide proper written notice of the hearing to the Court and to all parties. It is also the movant’s responsibility to timely advise opposing counsel if he/she is passing the hearing.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - C) Law Day Docket
After obtaining a hearing date, file a notice of oral hearing and serve it; 10 days' notice is required unless shortened by agreement.
Once you obtain a hearing date from the e-Hearing system, file a notice of oral hearing and serve it on all counsels and/or pro se litigants. For most motions, the court requires 10 days’ notice to opposing counsel for an oral hearing, unless shortened by agreement of all parties.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - C) Law Day Docket
If an emergency hearing is granted, the movant must provide proper notice to all parties.
If an emergency hearing is granted, the movant is responsible for providing proper notice of the hearing to all parties.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - B) Emergencies
Parties must exchange specified trial documents before the docket call.
This court requires the parties to actually exchange proposed jury charges, motions in limine, exhibit lists, actual exhibits, party/attorney lists, witness lists, and deposition excerpts BEFORE the docket call, which is usually conducted by the coordinator via email the Friday that is 10 days before the beginning of the two-week trial docket.
Page 1 | 8. TRIALS - A) Pretrial Orders/Exhibits/Motions in Limine
Drafts of proposed jury charges should be exchanged prior to the docket call date.
Drafts of proposed jury charges should be exchanged PRIOR to the docket call date.
Page 1 | 8. TRIALS - D) Court’s Charge
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Paper copies of mandamus petitions are not accepted; they must be delivered on a flash drive or disc.
COPIES OF MANDAMUS PETITIONS: Please do not serve the Court with paper copies of your mandamus petition. Please put it on a flash drive or disc and deliver it to the Court.
Page 1 | FILINGS AND COURTESY COPIES
Paper and email courtesy copies are not accepted; if a courtesy copy is absolutely necessary, it must be on a flash drive or disc.
The Court no longer accepts paper courtesy copies or e-mails of courtesy copies. Instead, if a party wishes to bring a particular filing to the Court's attention, the party may (1) file the document electronically with the clerk's office as it normally does and then (2) call the Court to bring the document to the Court's attention, and ask the Court to view and consider the document that is already in the Court's electronic file system. Alternatively, if you absolutely must file a courtesy copy of the document (which is discouraged) then you must do so on a flash drive or disc.
Page 1 | FILINGS AND COURTESY COPIES
If a motion contains hyperlinks, counsel may provide a courtesy copy on a USB thumb drive.
Footnotes are permitted in filings. If a motion contains hyperlinks, counsel may provide a courtesy copy of the motion on a USB thumb drive with any required courtesy copies.
Page 1 | Citations and Hyperlinks
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Late filing of motions will rarely be a sufficient basis for a continuance.
Late filing of motions will rarely be a sufficient basis for a continuance.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - C) Law Day Docket
Chambers Communication Rules
When passing a hearing, the requestor must promptly notify the Court Clerk at 832-927-2450 and all parties.
If a hearing is passed, the requestor must promptly notify the Court Clerk at 832-927-2450 and all parties.
Page 1 | TO PASS A HEARING (SUBMISSION/ORAL)
For emergency hearings, parties must consult, and if both agree, call the Court Clerk; if only one side, efile a motion for emergency hearing.
Emergencies Parties must consult with each other about the matter (preferably lead attorney on the case to opposing lead attorney on the case).If both sides agree to an emergency hearing, call the Court Clerk to set up a conference by Zoom, phone or in person with Judge Hughes. If only one side thinks it is an emergency, efile a motion for emergency hearing. If time is short and e-filing is impractical, please contact the Court Clerk for further instructions.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - B) Emergencies
Do not bring witnesses to court until speaking with the Court Clerk.
Do not bring your witnesses to court until you have spoken with the Court Clerk.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - E) Temporary Injunctions
Parties may call the Court Clerk at 713-368-6222.
You may also call the Court Clerk at 713-368-6222.
Page 1 | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Parties may call the Court Clerk to follow up on the status of a motion after filing supplemental evidence.
REQUEST: In certain situations, the Court will ask you to supplement your unopposed motion or request for default judgment or expedited foreclosure with additional evidence. It is not always immediately brought to the Court's attention when you have filed that additional evidence. Feel free to call the Court Clerk to follow up on your motion.
Page 1 | 3. MOTIONS
Temporary injunction hearings are typically set on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month; call the Court Clerk to confirm.
Temporary injunctions and evidentiary hearings typically are set on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month unless otherwise directed by the Court. Please call the Court Clerk before your scheduled hearing to confirm the hearing.
Page 1 | 7. HEARINGS - E) Temporary Injunctions
Settlement announcement can be made by telephone or email to the Court Coordinator.
Parties are not required to appear in person to announce a settlement. Notification by telephone or email to the Court Coordinator is sufficient.
Page 1 | SETTLEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS