Travis County Civil District Courts Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

The Department may seek ex parte relief from the Duty Judge only if the CPS Docket judge cannot hear or designate a judge to hear the urgent matter.

Only when the judge hearing the CPS Docket is unavailable to hear or designate a judge to hear an urgent matter may the Department seek ex parte relief from the Duty Judge.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Parties must brief administrative appeals before the hearing on the merits.

(a) Administrative appeals must be briefed by the parties in advance of the hearing on the merits.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Before setting a hearing, parties must make reasonable efforts to speak about the setting details and the motion’s substance to narrow disputes.

Prior to setting a hearing, the parties must make reasonable efforts to actually speak to one another regarding the date, time, and format (i.e., whether in-person or remote) of a hearing or trial and the substance of the motion in a genuine effort to narrow their disputes before seeking court intervention.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026CRITICAL

Unless good cause is shown, a Motion to Confer with a Child must be set on the day of its related temporary-orders hearing or final merits trial.

Absent good cause shown, all Motions to Confer with a Child must be set on the same day as the hearing such motion is related to (temporary orders or final merits trial).

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

Parties must try to agree on a briefing schedule and notify the assigned judge of the agreed dates.

(b) The parties must attempt to establish a briefing schedule by agreement and must notify the judge to whom the case is assigned of the agreed dates.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

The parties must attempt to agree on a briefing schedule and notify the assigned judge of the agreed dates.

(b) The parties must attempt to establish a briefing schedule by agreement and must notify the judge to whom the case is assigned of the agreed dates.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

In a family law case, a request for a TRO to be served with citation may be presented ex parte at the uncontested docket if supported by an affidavit and the requested relief does not affect possession of or access to a child.

Notwithstanding Chapter 7, in a family law case, a request for a TRO to be served with citation may be presented ex parte at the uncontested docket if supported by an affidavit and if the relief would not affect the possession of or access to a child.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

The judge assigned to hear the related temporary-orders hearing or final merits trial rules on the Motion to Confer with a Child.

The specific judge who will be hearing the temporary orders hearing or final merits trial will rule on the Motion to Confer with a Child.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?

No party should ask a particular judge to accept assignment of a case or part of a case unless all parties have previously conferred and have agreed to jointly make the request.

Summary: Before asking a particular judge to accept assignment of a case, all parties must previously confer and agree to jointly make the request.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?

Before setting a final hearing on the merits of an administrative appeal, all counsel must confer regarding: (i) the date of any hearing; (ii) the amount of time to be requested for the hearing (although the time to be allotted to argument is in the discretion of the court); and (iii) if there are multiple parties, the order of presentation.

Summary: Before setting a final merits hearing in an administrative appeal, all counsel must confer on the hearing date, the amount of time requested, and (if multiple parties) the order of presentation.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?

Absent good cause shown, all Motions to Confer with a Child must be set on the same day as the hearing such motion is related to (temporary orders or final merits trial). The specific judge who will be hearing the temporary orders hearing or final merits trial will rule on the Motion to Confer with a Child.

Summary: Motions to Confer with a Child must be set on the same day as the related hearing (temporary orders or final merits trial) and will be ruled on by the judge hearing that matter, absent good cause.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?

A request to be heard on a motion for new trial; motion to modify, correct, reform, or reconsider; or any other motion challenging a prior ruling, except one by default, must be presented to the judge who made the ruling, including a visiting judge, if available. Contact the Court Administrator's office to determine if the visiting judge who made the ruling is available.

Summary: Requests to be heard on motions challenging a prior ruling (new trial, modify/correct/reform/reconsider, etc.), except one by default, must be presented to the judge who made the ruling; contact the Court Administrator's office to determine visiting judge availability.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?

Required

Always ?

Prior to setting a hearing, the parties must make reasonable efforts to actually speak to one another regarding the date, time, and format (i.e., whether in-person or remote) of a hearing or trial and the substance of the motion in a genuine effort to narrow their disputes before seeking court intervention.

Summary: Before setting a hearing or trial, the parties must confer (or make reasonable efforts to confer) about the date, time, format, and substance of the motion in a genuine effort to narrow disputes.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?

Before requesting the setting from the Court Administrator of a case assigned pursuant to Local Rule 2.6 or 10.2, the moving party must confer with the judge's staff to determine the judge's availability. For visiting judges, the District Judges' Office serves as the judge's staff.

Summary: Before requesting a setting in a case assigned under Local Rule 2.6 or 10.2, the moving party must first confer with the judge's staff (District Judges' Office for visiting judges) to determine availability.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?

Required

Always ?

No hearings may be set during the week before a bench or jury trial, except for hearings on motions for continuance.

Summary: No hearings may be set during the week before a bench or jury trial, except hearings on motions for continuance.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?

Counsel must not repeat or otherwise address the subject matter contained in the standing order except to seek a modification of the standing order.

Summary: Counsel may not repeat or address subject matter covered by the pre-trial standing order except to seek a modification of the standing order.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?

Before setting a final hearing on the merits of an administrative appeal, all counsel must confer regarding: (i) the date of any hearing; (ii) the amount of time to be requested for the hearing (although the time to be allotted to argument is in the discretion of the court); and (iii) if there are multiple parties, the order of presentation.

Summary: Before setting a final hearing on the merits of an administrative appeal, all counsel must confer on the hearing date, the time to be requested, and (for multiple parties) the order of presentation.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.CRITICAL?

Absent good cause shown, all Motions to Confer with a Child must be set on the same day as the hearing such motion is related to (temporary orders or final merits trial). The specific judge who will be hearing the temporary orders hearing or final merits trial will rule on the Motion to Confer with a Child.

Summary: Motions to Confer with a Child must be set on the same day as the related temporary orders or final merits hearing absent good cause, and the judge presiding over that hearing rules on the motion.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.WARNING?

Standing orders, posted online, govern the pre-trial schedule for jury trials and motions in limine. Any motion in limine requesting additional limine or a modification of the standing order will be heard by the trial judge at the time of trial.

Summary: Motions in limine requesting additional limine relief or modification of the pre-trial standing order will be heard by the trial judge at the time of trial.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

A party may file a motion to have any other matter heard originally before a District Judge instead of an Associate Judge. The motion must be in writing and LOCAL RULES effective November 15, 2024 61 ===== PAGE 62 ===== must specify the grounds in support of the motion. The party filing the motion must set the motion for hearing by a judge with notice to all parties as required by the applicable rules of civil procedure.

Summary: The motion must be set for hearing by a judge, with notice to all parties as required by the applicable rules of civil procedure.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Absent good cause shown, all Motions to Confer with a Child must be set on the same day as the hearing such motion is related to (temporary orders or final merits trial). The specific judge who will be hearing the temporary orders hearing or final merits trial will rule on the Motion to Confer with a Child.

Summary: Absent good cause, a Motion to Confer with a Child must be set for the same day as its related temporary-orders hearing or final merits trial, and that hearing's judge rules on the motion.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

A motion to withdraw from representation or from a limited appearance must be presented at a hearing after notice to the client and to all other parties unless the moving attorney:

Summary: A withdrawal motion must be presented at a hearing after notice to the client and all other parties unless the specified filings are made.