Rule 60.Intervenor's Pleadings

Last amended September 1, 1990 · Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 60 lets any party intervene in a suit by filing a pleading, subject to being struck for sufficient cause on another party's motion.

Full Text of Rule 60

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Any party may intervene by filing a pleading, subject to being stricken out by the court for sufficient cause on the motion of any party.

End

Notes and Comments

Comment to 1990 change: Rules 21 and 21a control notice and service of pleadings of intervenors.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 60 sets a low bar to intervene. Any party may join an existing suit by filing a pleading — no prior permission required. The check comes after: the court may strike the intervention for sufficient cause on the motion of any party.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you intervene in a Texas lawsuit?

By filing a pleading, under Rule 60. The intervention stands unless the court strikes it for sufficient cause on another party's motion.

Do you need the court's permission before intervening in a Texas suit?

No. Rule 60 lets any party intervene by filing a pleading — no advance permission is required.

What must you do about notice after intervening in a case?

Serve the existing parties. Rules 21 and 21a control notice and service of an intervenor's pleadings, so an intervention is served on the other parties the same way any other pleading is.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 60), 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: intervenor's pleadingsinterventionplea in interventionTRCP 60