State courts (both trial and appellate courts) usually have local rules of court that include detailed requirements for proceedings in the court—including the assignment of cases to judges, filing and serving documents, securing hearings before the court, and communicating with opposing parties and court personnel.
And federal courts (United States district courts and courts of appeals) also frequently prescribe local rules governing practice and procedure in their courts. Such rules must be consistent with both Acts of Congress and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure, and may only be prescribed after notice and an opportunity for public comment. A federal court's authority to prescribe local rules is governed by both statute and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071(a)-(b); Fed. R. App. P. 47; Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9029; Fed. R. Civ. P. 83; Fed. R. Crim. P. 57.
State and federal courts usually post local rules on their websites.
In Texas, both state and federal courts operate under specific local rules that govern court proceedings. For state courts, including trial and appellate courts, these local rules address various procedural aspects such as case assignments, document filing and service, hearing scheduling, and communication with parties and court staff. These rules are tailored to the needs and practices of the local jurisdiction. Similarly, federal courts, including United States district courts and courts of appeals, have their own set of local rules. These rules must align with Acts of Congress and the Federal Rules of Practice and Procedure. The federal courts' authority to establish local rules is outlined in statutes such as 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071(a)-(b) and various Federal Rules including Fed. R. App. P. 47, Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9029, Fed. R. Civ. P. 83, and Fed. R. Crim. P. 57. The creation of these rules involves a public notice and comment process. Both state and federal courts typically make their local rules available to the public on their official websites.
