STEPS IN THE TEXAS CIVIL LITIGATION PROCESS:
Determine Theory of Case and Appropriate Jurisdiction (which court to file in). See V.T.C.A., Government Code §24.007 and V.T.C.A., Government Code §26.042.
Filing Suit
Prepare and File Plaintiff’s Petition with the Clerk of the Court. The Petition is the pleading that starts a lawsuit in Texas. See, Vernon’s Ann.RulesCiv.Proc., Rule 22.
Service of Process
Serve Citation on Opposing Party. Citation gives opposing party notice that suit has been filed against them. See, Vernon’s Ann.Rules Civ.Proc., Rule 21.
Opposing Party Files Answer and/or Counterclaim/Cross-Action
Discovery
Select Discovery Control Plan under Tex.R.Civ.P. 190.
Begin Discovery Process by Filing Appropriate Requests.
Pursuant to Tex. R. Evid. 192.1, permissible forms of discovery are:
a. requests for disclosure;
b. requests for production and inspection of documents and tangible things;
c. requests and motions for entry upon and examination of real property;
d. interrogatories to a party;
e. requests for admission;
f. oral or written depositions; and
g. motions for mental or physical examinations.
The permissible forms of discovery may be combined in the same document and may be taken in any order or sequence, Tex. R. Evid 192.2.
Respond to Opposing Party’s Discovery, if any.
A party must respond to written discovery in writing within the time provided by court order or the rules. In doing so, the party must make a complete response, based on all information reasonably available to the responding party or the party’s attorney at the time the response is made, Tex.R.Civ.P. 193.1; see Tex.R.Civ.P. 192.7(a) – definition of “written discovery.”
Potential Pretrial Disposition
Default Judgment – a judgment that may be rendered by the trial court at the plaintiff’s request as result of a defendant’s failure to file an answer within the time required by law or when the defendant has filed a timely answer but fails to appear for trial (Tex.R.Civ.P. 85, 99, 237, 239.)
Summary Judgment – a trial court is empowered to grant a motion for summary judgment when it is conclusively shown that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. There must be no genuine issues of material fact OR there must be no evidence of one or more essential elements of a claim or defense on which the adverse party has the burden of proof (T.R.C.P. 166a(c), (i).)
Settlement – The main object of settlement is an end to all or part of the litigation. Ending the lawsuit may involve an agreed judgment or simply an order of dismissal. A final judgment that is based on a settlement agreement must comply with the agreement or it is subject to reversal on appeal.
Dismissal
Voluntary (Nonsuit) – Generally, any plaintiff may voluntarily dismiss a case, or take a nonsuit, at any time before all the plaintiff’s evidence (other than rebuttal evidence) has been introduced (Tex.R.Civ.P. 162.) Nonsuit is not available if the defendant, prior to the plaintiff’s written or oral motion for nonsuit, has filed pleadings seeking affirmative relief. A nonsuit does not excuse payment of court costs and has no effect on any, pending motion for sanctions, attorney’s fees, or other costs.
Involuntary (dismissal granted against a party without their consent or request) – A plaintiff who fails to bring suit properly may be subject to having that suit dismissed or abated. Defects that can lead to dismissal or abatement are: lack of jurisdiction; the presence of circumstances outside the suit which provide grounds for defendant’s plea in abatement; and defects in the plaintiff’s pleadings which are not cured following the sustaining of a special exception.
Filing Pretrial Motions , if any, such as:
Request for Jury Trial – To be entitled to a jury trial, a party must have a right to a jury trial and must properly request a jury under Tex.R.Civ.P. 216(a).
Motion for Continuance – A motion for continuance is a request to postpone or delay a case that has been set for hearing or trial. The motion must be in writing, must state the specific facts that support it, and must be verified or supported by affidavit. See, Tex.R.Civ.P. 247, 251-254, 330(d).
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Motion to Amend Pleading – A party may amend its pleadings prior to trial pursuant to Tex.R.Civ.P. 63-65.
Petition in Intervention – The purpose of a petition in intervention is to join a lawsuit that is already in progress. See , Tex.R.Civ.P. 60-61.
Trial – Jury or Non-J ury
Case proceeds to trial, either before the judge only or before judge and jury.
Judgment Entered
The judgment is the official document announcing the resolution of the lawsuit. The judgment becomes effective once it is rendered. The judgment is rendered when the judge makes an official announcement either orally in court or by written memorandum filed with the clerk. The timetable for appeal begins to run once the judgment is signed by the court.
Post-Judgment Motions
Motion for New Trial – A litigant may obtain an order granting a new trial and setting aside the judgment by filing a timely motion for new trial and showing good cause for the relief, Tex.R.Civ.P. 320. To show good cause, the movant must demonstrate that the error complained of affected, or might reasonably have affected, the result. Ordinarily, a showing of probable injury or harm must be made. See, Tex.R.Civ.P. 327(a). The trial court is not compelled to grant a new trial merely because all parties file motions for new trial.
Filing a Motion for New Trial within 30 days after the judgment is signed has the effect of extending the time to perfect an appeal by the filing of a notice of appeal. See, Tex.R.App.P. 26.1(a).
Notice of Appeal – Filing a notice of appeal begins an appeal from a trial court judgment. Any party who seeks to change the trial court’s judgment or other appealable order must file a notice of appeal, Tex.R.App.P. 25.1(c).
A party may be exempt from paying the costs of an appeal if the party files an affidavit of indigence in the trial court, Tex.R.App.P. 20.1. However, it is not sufficient to have filed an affidavit of indigence to avoid trial court costs to meet the requirement that such an affidavit be filed with or before the notice of appeal. See, Tex.R.App.P. 20.1(c)1.
Enforcement of Money Judgment
Once a money judgment is rendered and signed, the winning party is entitled to begin proceedings to enforce that judgment. Depending on the situation, the following are some actions that can be undertaken to attempt satisfaction of the judgment:
Abstract of Judgment – File an abstract of judgment in the judgment records of the County Clerk of every county where the defendant/judgment debtor may currently own or thereafter acquire interest in nonexempt real property, to perfect a judgment lien on that interest. See, Tex. Prop. Code §52.001.
Writ of Execution – This is the principal process for collection of money judgments (Tex.R.Civ.P. 621). The writ is issued by the clerk and delivered to a sheriff or constable to levy on nonexempt real and personal property belonging to the defendant/judgment debtor, sell the property and public auction and apply the proceeds of the sale to the payment of the judgment, Tex.R.Civ.P. 622, 630, 637.
Proceedings under Turnover Statute – This statute empowers the trial court to assist a judgment creditor in reaching the judgment debtor’s property to satisfy the judgment. See, C.P.R.C. §31.002. The trial judge may order the judgment debtor to “turn over” nonexempt assets to an officer or a receiver when those assets cannot be readily attached or levied on by ordinary means.