Navarro County District Court, Texas Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

CRITICAL

Before filing a pleading or motion, all parties must confer in good faith, except for criminal prosecutions following a grand jury indictment, matters requiring an emergency hearing, and applications for protective orders.

In an effort to reduce the number of contested motions that come before the courts, and to allow each court to use its time more efficiently, all parties are required to confer with all other parties in any cause prior to filing a pleading or motion. At the conference, the parties shall make good faith efforts to come to an agreement. This Rule shall not apply to criminal prosecutions following a grand jury indictment. This Rule shall not apply to any matter for which an emergency hearing is required. This Rule shall not apply to the application for any protective order.

CRITICAL

Before filing a motion in a civil case, the movant must make a good-faith inquiry through at least one oral conversation, explaining the requested relief and general legal grounds but not necessarily the legal arguments.

Prior to filing any motion in a civil case, the movant shall be required make a good faith effort to determine whether the other parties oppose the pleading's requested action. For the purposes of this Rule, a good faith inquiry shall consist of, at a minimum, one oral conversation with the party or the party's lead counsel, during which the movant informs the other party of what they will be asking the court to do in their pleading. The movant need not go into their legal arguments, but must provide the other parties with enough information so that they understand the pleading's requested relief or action, and the general legal grounds for the pleading.

CRITICAL

Before seeking court intervention on a discovery dispute, parties must make a good-faith effort to resolve it, including at least one oral conversation involving all relevant parties.

Parties are required to make a good faith effort to resolve discovery disputes without the Court's intervention. For the purpose of this Rule, good faith means at least one oral conversation regarding the dispute at which all relevant parties make a sincere effort to come to an agreement that is acceptable to all relevant parties.

CRITICAL

Before making any scheduling or trial-setting request, all parties must confer in person or by telephone and make a good-faith effort to agree on a date and time for the hearing or trial.

All parties to any cause shall hold a conference, in person or telephonically, prior to making any scheduling or trial setting request. At this conference, all parties shall make a good faith effort to find a time and date that is acceptable for all parties on which to hold the requested hearing or trial.

CRITICAL

Before seeking court intervention on a scheduling dispute, parties must make a good-faith effort to resolve it, including at least one oral conversation involving all relevant parties.

Parties are required to make a good faith effort to resolve scheduling disputes without the Court's intervention. For the purpose of this Rule, good faith means at least one oral conversation regarding the dispute at which all relevant parties make a sincere effort to come to an agreement that is acceptable to all relevant parties.

WARNING

When conferring about a scheduling or trial-setting request, parties must also confer about the subject matter to be heard.

In addition to attempting to agree upon a time for the scheduling or trial setting request, the parties shall confer on the subject matter to be heard.