Judge Christine Weems
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
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Document Filing Requirements17 rules
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
The order for severance must include the documents to be included in the severed case.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
Motions for substituted service under Rule 106 must be accompanied by an affidavit containing the specified verification and attempt details.
All Motions for Substituted Service under Rule 106 must be accompanied by an affidavit that: Describes the efforts taken to verify that the Defendant actually lives or works at the subject address; Shows at least four attempts of service at different times of day with the specific dates and times; Details regarding the identity of the person/people present at the subject address and state what was said; Provide the identity of the owners of any vehicles in the driveway; and Include any other information or indications that the Defendant resides at the subject address.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
Motions to withdraw leaving a party pro se must include the party's contact information, a consultation statement, and current deadlines and trial settings.
Motions in which party will be pro se after the attorney withdraws must include: the party's telephone number; the party's address; the party's email address; a statement regarding consultation with the party regarding the motion; and current deadlines and trial settings.
Document Type
Motion
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
Motions requesting attorney's fees require, in addition to the attorney affidavit, an itemization of work showing date, work performed, time expended per task, and billable rate.
Motions that request attorneys fees will require, in addition to the attorney affidavit, an itemization of the work done including: i. the date the work was performed; ii. the work that was performed; iii. the amount of time expended for each task; and iv. the billable
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
Discovery motions must attach a copy of the discovery response at issue or state verbatim the request and answer in the body of the motion.
Attach a copy of the discovery response at issue or state verbatim the request and answer in the body of your motion.
Document Type
Discovery Motion
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
All motions and responses must include a proposed order.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
The Certificate of Conference must state the dates and methods of contact, and should describe efforts to communicate if the other side was not reached.
The Certificate of Conference must contain the dates and methods by which contact was made. 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 including the date and means.
Document Type
Certificate
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Mandatory
A motion to substitute counsel must indicate whether the replaced attorney agreed to the substitution and must include the appropriate certificates of conference and service.
Motion to substitute counsel must indicate whether the attorney being replaced has agreed to the substitution and must have the appropriate certificates of conference and service.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Important
The order granting substituted service should conform to the prescribed form.
The Order granting the substituted service should comport with this form to be found here.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026Important
The proposed order on a discovery motion should list each discovery issue separately so the court may rule on each.
The proposed order should list each discovery issue separately so that the court may deny or grant each issue.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
Applicants must also affirm that professional liability coverage is in effect and will remain current.
Summary: Guardian ad litem applicants must affirm that professional liability coverage is in effect and will remain current.
Document Type
Guardian Ad Litem Application
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
Those wishing to be included in the Court’s list must submit a written request with a complete resume that details the nature of the applicant’s experience as a civil trial practitioner. Special capabilities, such as fluency in languages other than English, financial background, and the like, should also be listed.
Summary: Applicants for the guardian ad litem list must submit a written request with a complete resume detailing their civil trial experience and any special capabilities.
Document Type
Guardian Ad Litem Application
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
Counsel understands that by requesting a preferential setting, they agree to the following:To waive all vacations letters for that time period.
Summary: By requesting a preferential setting, counsel agrees to waive all vacation letters for that time period.
Document Type
Motion
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
Both parties must agree to the request and file a motion with the court.
Summary: Both parties must agree to a preferential setting request and file a motion with the court.
Document Type
Motion
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
The Motion to Request a Preferential Setting must include the basis for the preferential setting (i.e out of town witnesses, will take two (2) weeks or longer to try.)
Summary: The Motion to Request a Preferential Setting must include the basis for the preferential setting (e.g., out-of-town witnesses, trial will take two weeks or longer).
Document Type
Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Orders on motions to withdraw must include contact information for the pro se party.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If the withdrawing attorney represents a corporation, she/he must notify the corporation that: Corporations cannot proceed pro se in Texas courts; and That if the corporation has not obtained counsel within 30 days of the order of withdrawal, either its claims may be dismissed if it is the plaintiff or their pleadings may be struck and a default judgment may be entered if it is the defendant.
Summary: A withdrawing attorney representing a corporation must notify the corporation that it cannot proceed pro se and of the consequences of not obtaining counsel within 30 days.
Document Type
Motion
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A motion for emergency/expedited hearing must be e-filed when only one side deems the matter an emergency.
If only one side feels that it is an emergency, they should e-file a motion for emergency/expedited hearing and email a courtesy copy directly to the Clerk who will then give it to the Court for review and to set an expedited hearing or provide further guidance.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Emergency or Expedited Hearing
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Responses should be filed at least 24 hours before the hearing, or the Court may disregard the pleadings.
All responses should be filed at least 24 hours before the hearing in order to give the Court adequate opportunity to review the filing. Failure to file a response 24 hours before the hearing could subject the result in the Court not taking the pleadings into consideration.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Oral Hearings
The Court generally does not grant motions to withdraw filed within 30 days of a dispositive event such as a trial setting or a summary judgment hearing.
The Court generally does not grant motions to withdraw that are filed within 30 days of a dispositive event, such as a trial setting or a hearing on a motion for summary judgment.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Motions to Withdraw
Parties must exchange and file exhibit lists, motions in limine, deposition offers, and proposed jury charges or proposed findings of fact and conclusions at least 3 days before trial (or the Thursday before a Monday trial setting).
The parties should exchange and file with the Court exhibit lists, motions in limine, depositions offers and proposed jury charges or proposed findings of facts and conclusion at least three (3) days before trial or the Thursday before a Monday Trial setting.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Pre-Trial Conference
Motions to challenge experts must be set for hearing at least 7 days before trial.
Parties should set all motions to challenge experts for hearing at least seven (7) days before trial.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Expert Challenges
Expert challenges must be filed by the date set in the Court's docket control order.
Expert challenges should be filed by the date set out in the Court's docket control order.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Expert Challenges
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The movant must serve all defaulting parties with the motion, proposed judgment, and notice of the hearing/submission pursuant to TRCP 21(a).
Movant must serve all defaulting parties with the motion, proposed judgment, and notice of the hearing/submission pursuant to TRCP 21(a).
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Default Judgments
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When only one side deems a matter an emergency, e-file the emergency motion and email a courtesy copy directly to the Clerk.
If only one side feels that it is an emergency, they should e-file a motion for emergency/expedited hearing and email a courtesy copy directly to the Clerk who will then give it to the Court for review and to set an expedited hearing or provide further guidance.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Emergency or Expedited Hearing
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must confer with opposing counsel before filing all motions except for an enumerated list of exempt motion types.
You are required to confer with opposing counsel prior to filing all motions except for motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, pleas to the jurisdiction, motions to transfer venue, motions for voluntary dismissal/nonsuit, post-verdict motions, motions involving service of process or default judgments.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Certificate of Conference
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
No continuances will be granted to move from a preferential setting except for death or serious illness of a party/lead counsel or an immediate family member; witness unavailability is not grounds for a continuance.
That they understand that there will be no continuances granted to move from the preferential setting except for the death or serious illness of a party/lead counsel or an immediate member of her/his family (unavailability of a witness at the time of trial will not be grounds to continue a preferential setting); and
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Preferential Settings
Any motion to continue a preferentially set case requires an oral hearing.
Any motion to continue a preferentially set case will require an oral hearing.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Preferential Settings
Chambers Communication Rules
When both sides agree to an emergency hearing, call the Clerk to be placed on the next oral hearing docket or to set up a phone conference.
If both sides agree to an emergency/expedited hearing, call the Clerk to be put on the next oral hearing docket or to set up a phone conference with the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Emergency or Expedited Hearing
Contact the Court Clerk to obtain a hearing date and time.
Please contact the Court Clerk to obtain a hearing date and time.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Oral Hearings
Phone appearance is permitted in certain circumstances; contact the Court Clerk regarding ZOOM appearances.
Appearance by phone is permitted in certain circumstances. Please contact the Court Clerk regarding ZOOM appearances.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026
Page 1 | Oral Hearings
Proposed jury charges must also be emailed directly to the Trial Coordinator.
Proposed jury charges should also be emailed directly to Raven Hubbard (email), the Trial Coordinator.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Pre-Trial Conference
A party needing more than an hour for the pre-trial conference must schedule a separate pre-trial conference by contacting the Court Coordinator at the time of trial assignment.
Should a party anticipated needing more than hour for pre-trial conference, they must schedule a separate pre-trial conference with the Court by reaching out to the Court Coordinator and request a separate pre-trial conference at the time they are assigned for trial.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Pre-Trial Conference