§ 151.011.Special Judge's Verdict

This is the section that gives a private trial public force.

The verdict must comply with the requirements for a verdict by the referring court, including any applicable requirement to issue a written opinion.

It stands as a verdict of the referring judge’s court. Not a recommendation, not a report for adoption — the court’s own verdict.

That is what separates this chapter from every advisory procedure in Title 7. A moderated settlement conference or a summary jury trial produces an opinion nobody is bound by; this produces a verdict.

The deadline is 60 days after the day the trial adjourns, unless the referral order specifies otherwise.

Section 151.004 is where a different deadline is set, since the referral order may fix the time for filing the report.

Missing the deadline has a consequence. Section 151.012 lets the court grant a new trial if the verdict and any written opinion do not arrive in time.

Appeal runs from the referring court’s order, as Section 151.013 provides, which is consistent with a verdict that belongs to that court.

The written opinion requirement travels with the court. Where the referring court would have to issue one, the special judge does too.