Rule 262.Trial by the Court
Last verified June 28, 2026
Full Text of Rule 262
Plain-English Summary
Rule 262 keeps the procedure simple for bench trials. The rules governing the trial of cases before a jury also govern trials by the court, so far as they apply. There is no separate procedural code for non-jury trials — the jury-trial rules carry over where they fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rules govern a bench trial in Texas?
Under Rule 262, the same rules that govern jury trials, so far as they are applicable.
Do all jury-trial rules apply to a Texas bench trial?
Only the ones that fit. Rule 262 imports the jury-trial rules into bench trials 'so far as applicable,' which leaves out procedures tied to having a jury in the room, such as jury selection or jury argument.
Why doesn't Texas have a separate rule book for bench trials?
Rule 262 makes one unnecessary. Rather than duplicating procedure, it borrows the jury-trial rules for bench trials wherever they apply, so the same rulebook covers both kinds of trials.