Harris County District Courts Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

If running late for a hearing, email the court website’s “late” address and copy all counsel or self-represented litigants.

If you are running late for a hearing, email the “late” email address listed on the court’s website with a copy to all counsel or self-represented litigants.

CRITICAL

Except for CPS hearings and final trials, hearing dates for e-filed motions must be scheduled through the e-hearing system on the District Clerk’s website.

Except for CPS hearings and final trials, all hearing dates for e-filed motions must be scheduled through the e-hearing system available through the District Clerk's website.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

Exhibits must be provided to the Court by emailing a cloud-storage file-share link to the designated exhibit email on the court’s website.

Create and email a file share link using your cloud storage service to the designated exhibit email listed on the court’s website.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

Counsel seeking placement on an appointment wheel must send the website application to Melissa_Love@justex.net.

Counsel wanting to be placed on a wheel shall send the application located on the court’s website to Melissa_Love@justex.net.

CRITICAL

Non-trial settings must be scheduled through the online scheduling system on each court’s website.

Non-trial settings must be scheduled using the online scheduling system available on each court’s website.

CRITICAL

Self-represented litigants must not communicate privately (ex parte) with the judge; such communications are returned unread, while formal pleadings and motions filed with the clerk are permitted.

Do not attempt to communicate privately with the judge. The term “communication” includes contact by means of phone calls, letters, voice mail messages, faxes, e-mail messages, and direct conversations. You may communicate with the judge if all parties and their attorneys (if they are represented) are present. Any such unilateral contact is called “ex parte” communication and the district judge will not considered it for any information or argument offered in such a manner for any purpose. The court will return an ex parte communication to you unread and notify the other side of the communication. Prohibited communications do not include formal pleadings, motions, and request for relief filed with the clerk.

CRITICAL

Non-trial settings must be scheduled through the online scheduling system on the relevant court’s website.

Non-trial settings must be scheduled using the online scheduling system available on each court’s website.

CRITICAL

An attorney or pro se party entering a pending case must check with the court whether a Scheduling Order has issued and obtain any issued order from the District Clerk's office.

It shall be the duty of an attorney or pro se party entering a pending case to ascertain from the court whether a Scheduling Order has issued and if so, to obtain a copy of the Scheduling Order from the District Clerk's office.

CRITICAL

A party must make prior arrangements before bringing a child to testify, unless a court order, including a writ of habeas corpus or attachment, requires the child's attendance.

No party is to bring a child to the courthouse to testify without prior arrangement pursuant to this rule, unless the child's attendance is required by court order including a writ of habeas corpus or attachment.

CRITICAL

The attorney or pro se party responsible for bringing a child to court must immediately notify the court coordinator when the child is in the courthouse.

The attorney or pro se party who is responsible for the child's attendance at court shall immediately notify the court coordinator of the child's presence in the courthouse.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

If running late for a hearing, email the “late” address listed on the court’s website and copy all counsel or self-represented litigants.

If you are running late for a hearing, email the “late” email address listed on the court’s website with a copy to all counsel or self-represented litigants.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

Telephone conferences are encouraged for non-evidentiary matters and must be scheduled through the court coordinator.

Use of telephone conferences between judges or associate judges and all attorneys in a case is encouraged for non-evidentiary matters. Telephone conferences shall be scheduled through the court coordinator.

CRITICAL

Except for CPS hearings and final trials, hearing dates for e-filed motions must be scheduled through the District Clerk’s e-hearing system.

Except for CPS hearings and final trials, all hearing dates for e-filed motions must be scheduled through the e-hearing system available through the District Clerk's website.

CRITICAL

When child testimony is necessary or statutorily required, an attorney seeking an interview must arrange a specific time through the court coordinator.

In all cases in which the court deems testimony of a child to be necessary or required by statute, the attorney wishing to have the child interviewed shall arrange a specific time through the court coordinator for the court to interview the child.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

Exhibits must be submitted by emailing a cloud-storage file share link to the designated exhibit email, with the specified subject line; the collaboration share feature must not be used.

a. Create and email a file share link using your cloud storage service to the designated exhibit email listed on the court’s website. The subject line of the email shall state the full cause number, your party identification, and the date of the court proceeding. Do not use the share feature intended for collaboration that requires an account with that service.

CRITICAL

A child may not be brought into the courtroom without the express consent of the judge or associate judge.

The child shall not be brought into the courtroom without the express consent of the judge or associate judge.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

Counsel seeking placement on an appointment wheel must email the application to Melissa_Love@justex.net.

Counsel wanting to be placed on a wheel shall send the application located on the court’s website to Melissa_Love@justex.net.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

Phone

713-274-7393

After submitting the review application and final documents, self-represented litigants must contact the DRO Legal Services Division by phone at 713-274-7393 to request review.

For cases meeting the above criteria that are ready to be finalized, the self-represented litigant(s) shall apply and attach their final documents for review at www.dro.hctx.net under the “Self-Represented Assistance” tab, then contact the Domestic Relations Office, Legal Services Division (713-274-7393) to request a review.

CRITICALCivil cases

Phone

(832) 927-1825

To request preferential trial setting, file a motion, set it for oral hearing, and contact the court clerk.

Preferential trial setting request, you must file a motion and set for an oral hearing, please contact the court clerks at (832) 927-1825 or you can email at simone.mills@hcdistrictclerk.com .

CRITICALCivil cases

Parties must submit correspondence explaining why an emergency hearing is needed.

Parties must submit correspondence to the court as to why an emergency hearing is needed. Once the Court has reviewed the correspondence, a decision will be made as to (1) whether it is granted and (2) whether the hearing will be held in-person or via zoom.

CRITICALCivil cases

A non-movant who prefers an oral hearing must confer with the movant and, if no agreement, submit correspondence to the Court.

If a non-movant prefers an oral hearing (either via zoom or in person), the non-movant must confer with the movant on a date/time for an oral hearing that is agreeable to both of them. If no agreement can be made, the non-movant must submit correspondence to the Court explaining why an oral hearing is preferred and that parties were unable to reach an agreement.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to clerk

To request an emergency hearing, call the court clerk during court hours.

Call the court clerk during court hours.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party passing a hearing must notify all parties involved and the court.

A party who sets a hearing and subsequently passes that hearing MUST notify all parties involved including the court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to clerk

Emergency hearings are requested by emailing the clerk or filing a request; no separate request is needed if the motion title includes 'emergency'.

When requesting an emergency hearing, please either email the clerk or file a request for emergency hearing into the case file. If the motion itself includes "emergency" in the title, there is no need to file a separate request.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to clerk

Parties request oral hearings by calling or emailing the clerk; hearings over 15-20 minutes require a time estimate, and the hearing is not docketed until a notice is filed and accepted.

Any party requesting an oral hearing should call or email the court clerk for a date and time. If a hearing is expected to take over 15 to 20 minutes, you should inform the clerk of your rough time estimate. The clerk will reserve a time for your hearing. This hearing will not be set on the Court's docket until a notice of hearing is filed and accepted.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must contact the court clerk before a temporary injunction hearing to confirm readiness and duration; do not bring witnesses until speaking with the clerk.

Please contact the court clerk before your scheduled hearing. It is imperative that we know whether or not you are ready to proceed with the hearing and how long the hearing will take. If it is lengthy, we may need to reschedule your hearing (because of other hearings or trial) and extend the TRO until the court is available. Do not bring your witnesses to court until you have spoken to the court clerk!

CRITICALCivil cases

An email or telephone call to the Clerk does not withdraw a summary-judgment motion or satisfy Rule 166a.

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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Opposing counsel must promptly advise of any objections to deposition testimony designations.

Opposing counsel must promptly advise of any objections.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

Do not bring witnesses to court for a temporary-injunction hearing until you have spoken with the Court Clerk.

Do not bring your witnesses to court until you have spoken with the Court Clerk.

CRITICALCivil cases

If more than 60 jurors are needed, notify 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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Notify the Court Coordinator 30 days before trial if using a jury questionnaire.

If you are going to use a jury questionnaire, let the court coordinator know 30 days before trial.

CRITICALCivil cases

Telephone or email notification to the Court Coordinator is not sufficient settlement notice.

Notification by telephone or email to the Court Coordinator is not sufficient.

CRITICALCivil cases

Appear in person unless Judge Hughes agrees to another method of appearance.

Appear in person unless Judge Hughes has agreed to another method of appearance.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

When both sides agree to an emergency hearing, call the Clerk to arrange a conference with Judge Hughes by Zoom, phone, or in person.

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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

832-927-2450

When a hearing is passed, the requestor must promptly notify the Court Clerk at the listed number and all parties.

If a hearing is passed, the requestor must promptly notify the Court Clerk at 832-927-2450 and all parties.

CRITICALCivil cases

Before a temporary-injunction hearing, the Court must be informed whether the parties are ready, whether they were properly served, and the expected duration and number of witnesses.

For a temporary injunction hearing, it is imperative that we know whether or not you are ready to proceed; if the parties were properly served, and the length of time and the number of witnesses.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

Parties must consult about an emergency; if both agree, call the Clerk to arrange a conference, while a party seeking an emergency hearing over the other side’s objection must e-file a motion, unless short time makes e-filing impractical, in which case contact the Clerk.

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.

CRITICAL

Non-trial settings must be scheduled through the online system on the court’s website.

Non-trial settings must be scheduled using the online scheduling system available on each court’s website.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

Counsel seeking wheel placement must email the application to Melissa_Love@justex.net.

Counsel wanting to be placed on a wheel shall send the application located on the court’s website to Melissa_Love@justex.net.

CRITICAL

Except for CPS hearings and final trials, hearing dates for e-filed motions must be scheduled through the District Clerk’s e-hearing system.

Except for CPS hearings and final trials, all hearing dates for e-filed motions must be scheduled through the e-hearing system available through the District Clerk's website.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

Exhibits must be provided by emailing a cloud-storage share link to the designated exhibit email, without using the account-required collaboration share feature.

a. Create and email a file share link using your cloud storage service to the designated exhibit email listed on the court’s website. The subject line of the email shall state the full cause number, your party identification, and the date of the court proceeding. Do not use the share feature intended for collaboration that requires an account with that service.

CRITICAL

Non-trial settings must be scheduled through the online scheduling system available on each court’s website.

Non-trial settings must be scheduled using the online scheduling system available on each court’s website.

CRITICAL

Except for CPS hearings and final trials, hearing dates for e-filed motions must be scheduled through the e-hearing system on the District Clerk’s website.

Except for CPS hearings and final trials, all hearing dates for e-filed motions must be scheduled through the e-hearing system available through the District Clerk's website.

CRITICAL

To call the court’s attention to an order ready for signing, select “Signing Box” in the online scheduling system.

Select “Signing Box” in the online scheduling system to call the court’s attention to orders that are ready for signing.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

Counsel seeking placement on an appointment wheel must send the application from the court’s website to Melissa_Love@justex.net.

Counsel wanting to be placed on a wheel shall send the application located on the court’s website to Melissa_Love@justex.net.