Rule 18c.Recording and Broadcasting of Court Proceedings
Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 18c lets a trial court allow cameras and recording only in limited situations: under Supreme Court guidelines, with the consent of the parties and any depicted witnesses, or for ceremonial proceedings.
A trial court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing of proceedings in the courtroom only in the following circumstances:
(a)in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the Supreme Court for civil cases, or
(b)when broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing will not unduly distract participants or impair the dignity of the proceedings and the parties have consented, and consent to being depicted or recorded is obtained from each witness whose testimony will be broadcast, televised, or photographed, or
(c)the broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing of investiture, or ceremonial proceedings.
End
Notes and Comments
Comment to 1990 change: New rule. To provide for guidelines for broadcasting, televising, recording, and photographing court proceedings.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 18c controls when a courtroom may be filmed or recorded. A trial court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing only in three situations.
The first is under guidelines the Supreme Court has set for civil cases. The second is when the recording will not unduly distract participants or impair the dignity of the proceedings, the parties have consented, and every witness whose testimony will be shown has consented. The third is for an investiture or other ceremonial proceeding. Outside these, the courtroom stays closed to cameras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cameras allowed in Texas civil courtrooms?
Only in limited situations under Rule 18c: under Supreme Court guidelines; when the recording will not unduly distract participants or impair the dignity of the proceedings and the parties and any depicted witnesses consent; or for ceremonial proceedings.
Does a witness have to consent to being recorded?
Under the consent path of Rule 18c, yes — consent must be obtained from each witness whose testimony will be broadcast, televised, or photographed.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 18c), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:recording and broadcasting of court proceedingscameras in the courtroomtelevising courtrecording a hearingTRCP 18c