Civil procedure includes the procedures and rules that govern civil (non-criminal) litigation in state and federal courts. Many states have rules of civil procedure written by the state supreme court, for example, and other states include their rules of procedure in state statutes enacted by the state legislature.
In Texas, civil procedure is governed by a combination of state statutes and rules promulgated by the Texas Supreme Court. The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure lay out the guidelines for how civil litigation is to be conducted in the state courts. These rules cover various aspects of the legal process, including filing lawsuits, serving process, conducting discovery, trial procedures, and the appellate process. Additionally, the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code provides statutory laws that complement the procedural rules, addressing issues such as limitations periods for filing suits, jurisdiction, and venue. For federal courts located in Texas, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure apply, along with any local rules specific to the federal district courts in Texas.
