Tarrant County Courts at Law Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

After receiving the hearing date and time, the moving party must immediately notify all other parties in writing of the hearing date, time, and subject matter and provide a copy to the Court Coordinator.

Court Coordinators are responsible for scheduling the dates and times for hearings. Upon receiving the date and time of hearing, the moving party shall immediately notify all other parties in writing as to the date, time and subject matter of the hearing. A copy of this communication shall be provided to the Court Coordinator.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Phone to chambers

Anyone intending to participate only by phone must alert the Coordinator at least two business days before the hearing.

If you intend to participate only by phone alert the Coordinator at least two (2) business days before the hearing.

CRITICAL

When an application or case is presented before it can be filed, the clerk must be notified of all actions taken by the judge.

If it is impossible to file an application or case before it is presented to a judge, then it shall be filed as soon thereafter as possible, and the clerk notified of all actions taken by the judge.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

The Court Reporter and Court Coordinator must have the email address a participant will use during the hearing by 4 p.m. the day before the hearing.

The Court Reporter (sikrieger@tarrantcountytx.gov) and Court Coordinator (mwblake@tarrantcountytx.gov) must have the email address you will have immediately available to you during the hearing not later than 4 p.m. the day before any hearing.

CRITICAL

Requests for hearings to approve settlements involving minors and unliquidated default judgments must be made to the Court Coordinator for scheduling.

Requests for hearing to approve settlements in cases involving minors and default judgments, where the amount is unliquidated, shall be made to the Court Coordinator who will schedule the same for hearing.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone

Counsel must immediately telephone the Court Coordinator to notify affected courts when a party files for bankruptcy protection.

Whenever any party of litigation in these courts files for protection under the bankruptcy laws of the United States, it shall be the responsibility of that party's counsel in these courts: (i) to promptly notify the affected courts) by immediately telephoning the Court Coordinator;

CRITICAL

After a bankruptcy concludes, counsel must promptly notify the Court Coordinator so affected cases can be restored to the active docket or dismissed as appropriate.

Once a bankruptcy has been concluded, whether by discharge, denial of discharge, dismissal or otherwise, counsel shall promptly notify the Court Coordinator so that the affected cases may be restored to the active docket or be dismissed as may be appropriate.

WARNING

Contact

Phone

A matter that does not require a court reporter record may be conducted by telephone at a party's request with the Judge's consent; the moving party must advise opposing parties of the method and time and arrange the call.

(d) On request of a party and with consent of the Judge, a matter not requiring a record by the Court Reporter may be conducted by telephone. The moving party shall be responsible for advising opposing parties of the method and time of hearing and shall be responsible for arranging the conference call.

WARNING

A party should immediately notify the Court in writing after receiving a trial setting if the case is not ready or the party wishes to suggest alternative dates.

Upon receipt of a trial setting any party should immediately notify the Court in writing if they believe that the case is not ready for trial or if they want to suggest alternative trial dates.

WARNINGCivil cases

Participants should ensure the County Clerk has their current email address on file.

Please ensure your current email address is on file with the County Clerk.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Cases for the judge's reference need not be e-filed, but should be emailed to the judge and opposing counsel by 4 p.m. two business days before the proceeding.

Cases for the judge's reference need not be e-filed with the Clerk but should be emailed to the judge and opposing counsel not later than 4 p.m. two (2) business days before the court proceeding.

WARNING

An attorney with a previously scheduled appellate oral argument must advise the trial judge before trial begins to receive reasonable time to travel and argue.

Any attorney having a previously scheduled oral argument in any appellate court shall be given a reasonable time to travel to and from that court and make argument provided the attorney advises the trial judge of the scheduled argument before the commencement of trial.

WARNINGCivil cases

An attorney who intends to participate by audio only should contact the Court Reporter and Court Coordinator at least 48 hours before the proceeding.

An attorney intending to only participate with audio should contact the Court Reporter and Court Coordinator at least 48 hours before the proceeding.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Cases for the judge's reference need not be e-filed with the Clerk but should be emailed to the judge not later than 4p.m. the day before the TBC.

Cases for the judge's reference need not be e-filed with the Clerk but should be emailed to the judge not later than 4p.m. the day before the TBC.

INFO

By agreement, parties may submit a matter for decision without appearing personally or presenting orally, and the Judge should be advised in writing if they wish to do so.

(e) By agreement, parties may submit matters for ruling by the Judge without a personal appearance and oral presentation. The Judge should be advised in writing when such procedure is desired.