Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
The procedural rules governing civil litigation in Texas state courts. Promulgated by the Texas Supreme Court, the TRCP cover pleadings, motions, discovery, trial procedure, and post-trial remedies. Distinct from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which govern federal-court practice.
The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (TRCP) are the procedural rules governing civil litigation in Texas state courts. Promulgated by the Texas Supreme Court under statutory authority, the TRCP cover pleadings, motions, discovery, trial procedure, and post-trial remedies. The TRCP are distinct from the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP), which govern federal-court practice and are sometimes used as persuasive authority in Texas state courts.
Structure
The TRCP are organized topically: pleadings (Rules 45–98), parties (Rules 28–44), pretrial procedure (Rules 165a–168), discovery (Rules 190–215), trial (Rules 216–298), judgment (Rules 299–329b), and appeals (Rules 329c–356). Specialized rules govern temporary restraining orders (Rules 680–693a), eminent domain, and other categories.
Relationship to other authorities
TRCP procedures must be read alongside (1) the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code (statutory framework for many causes of action and procedures); (2) the Texas Government Code (court structure, judicial qualifications); (3) local rules of individual judicial districts; and (4) Texas Business Court Rules for business-court matters.
Recent developments
The Texas Supreme Court adopted Texas Rules of Civil Procedure for the Business Court effective with HB 40 (Sept. 1, 2025), addressing jurisdictional determination procedures and interlocutory appeals.
The TRCP are foundational to all Texas state-court litigation. Practitioners must master pleadings (Rules 47, 91a, 92), discovery (Rules 192–200), summary judgment (Rule 166a), and trial procedure. Federal-court practitioners moving to Texas state court must adjust to TRCP-specific procedures (general denial, no-evidence summary judgment, three-tier discovery levels).
Practice guide: How Long a Business Lawsuit Takes in Texas