After a case has been assigned to a particular section or division of the court, it may not be transferred from one section or division to another section or division within the same court, unless agreed to by all parties, or unless it is being transferred to effect a consolidation pursuant to Article1561. However, the supreme court, by rule, may establish uniform procedures for reassigning cases under circumstances where an expeditious disposition of cases may be effectuated.
Art. 253.2.Transfer and Reassignment of Pending Cases
Title I. Courts · Chapter 5. Clerks · Last amended 2021 · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 253.2 locks a case to the section or division it was randomly assigned to, allowing a later transfer only if every party agrees, the transfer joins the case with a related one for consolidation, or it follows a uniform reassignment procedure the Louisiana Supreme Court has adopted to keep dockets moving.
Full Text of Art. 253.2
Amendment History
Amended by Acts 2021, No. 259, §2, eff. 8/1/2021. Acts 1997, No. 968, §1.
Plain-English Summary
Random assignment under Article 253.1 would mean little if a case could drift to a different judge afterward, so Article 253.2 keeps a case anchored to its assigned section or division once the draw is made.
There are only three ways out. All the parties can agree to a transfer. The case can move to effect a consolidation — joining it with a related case being tried together under Article 1561. Or the transfer can follow a uniform procedure the Louisiana Supreme Court has adopted by rule, meant to move cases along efficiently when circumstances call for reassignment, such as rebalancing an uneven caseload.
Outside those three paths, a case stays exactly where the random draw put it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a judge move my case to a colleague's division after it's assigned?
Only with all parties' agreement, to effect a consolidation with a related case, or under a uniform reassignment procedure the Louisiana Supreme Court has adopted.
What is consolidation, and why would it move my case?
Consolidation joins related cases for a single trial under Article 1561. If your case is consolidated with one pending in a different division, it may be transferred there to be handled together.
Can the supreme court order cases reassigned to balance caseloads?
Yes. Article 253.2 lets the Louisiana Supreme Court adopt uniform procedures for reassigning cases when doing so serves an expeditious disposition, such as when one section's docket has grown too heavy.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the vLex (Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, 2026 Edition). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: transfer case between court divisions Louisianareassignment of pending case Louisianaconsolidation and case transferchanging judges after case assigned