Rule 360.Written Opinions in Business Court Actions

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 360 requires a business court judge to issue a written opinion on a dispositive ruling when a party requests one, and on any issue important to the state's jurisprudence whether or not a party requests one, and permits a written opinion with any order.

Full Text of Rule 360

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) When Required. A business court judge must issue a written opinion:

(1) in connection with a dispositive ruling, on the request of a party; and

(2) on an issue important to the jurisprudence of the state, regardless of request.

(b) When Permitted. A business court judge may issue a written opinion in connection with any order.

End

Notes and Comments

Comment to 2024 change: Rule 360 is adopted to implement Texas Government Code Section 25A.016.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 360 makes written opinions a feature of the business court. A judge must issue a written opinion in connection with a dispositive ruling when a party requests it, and must issue one on an issue important to the jurisprudence of the state regardless of any request. The judge may also issue a written opinion with any order. The result is a written record of reasoning that ordinary trial courts rarely produce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Texas business court issue written opinions?

Yes. Rule 360 requires a written opinion on a dispositive ruling when a party asks, and on any issue important to the state's jurisprudence even without a request; the judge may write one with any order.

Does a party have to request a written opinion from the business court?

It depends on the ruling. For a dispositive ruling, Rule 360 requires a written opinion only when a party asks for one. For an issue important to the state's jurisprudence, the judge must write one regardless of any request.

Can a business court judge write an opinion on a non-dispositive order?

Yes. Rule 360 permits a written opinion in connection with any order, not just dispositive rulings.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 360), 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: written opinions business courtbusiness court opinionsjurisprudence of the stateTRCP 360