Rule 3a.Local Rules, Forms, and Standing Orders
Last amended January 1, 2023 · Last verified June 28, 2026
Full Text of Rule 3a
Notes and Comments
Comment to 1990 change: To make Texas Rules of Civil Procedure timetables mandatory and to preclude use of unpublished local rules or other “standing” orders to local practices to determine issues of substantive merit.
Comment to 2023 change: Rule 3a is amended to remove the requirement that the Supreme Court of Texas approve local rules and to expressly address local forms and standing orders. The amended rule provides that local rules, forms, and standing orders must not conflict with other laws or rules and that they are not effective unless published on the Office of Court Administration’s website. Section 74.093(b) of the Texas Government Code imposes additional requirements for local rules.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3a is the authority for local practice. An administrative judicial region or a court may adopt its own rules, forms, and standing orders to manage how cases move through that court.
Those local measures have limits. They cannot conflict with state or federal law, with the rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Texas (including the deadlines in the statewide rules), or with the rules of the administrative judicial region. Just as important, a 2023 amendment made publication on the Office of Court Administration’s website a condition of effectiveness: a local rule, form, or standing order that is not posted there binds no one. The same amendment removed the older requirement that the Supreme Court approve local rules.
Because of that publication requirement, the surest way to confirm a court’s current local requirements is to check the Office of Court Administration’s website rather than rely on an unposted order. Section 74.093 of the Texas Government Code adds its own requirements for what local rules must address.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a Texas local rule become enforceable?
Only when it is published on the Office of Court Administration’s website. Since the 2023 amendment, an unpublished local rule, form, or standing order has no effect.
Can a local rule change a statewide deadline?
No. Local rules, forms, and standing orders cannot conflict with the statewide rules, including the time periods those rules set.
Does the Supreme Court of Texas still have to approve local rules?
No. The 2023 amendment removed that requirement and instead conditions effectiveness on publication to the Office of Court Administration’s website.
Where can I find a court’s local rules?
On the Office of Court Administration’s website, where Rule 3a requires them to be published to take effect.