Rule 803.May Recover a Part

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 803 lets any one or more of several plaintiffs recover against one or more defendants the premises, any part or interest in them, or damages, according to the parties' respective rights.

Full Text of Rule 803

Text size

When there are two or more plaintiffs or defendants any one or more of the plaintiffs may recover against one or more of the defendants the premises, or any part thereof, or any interest therein, or damages, according to the rights of the parties.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 803 sorts out a case with several parties on either side. The judgment follows each party's own right: one or more plaintiffs may recover against one or more defendants the premises, a part or interest in them, or damages. The court is not forced into an all-or-nothing result among the group.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the judgment work when there are several plaintiffs or defendants?

Any one or more plaintiffs may recover against any one or more defendants the land, a part or interest, or damages, according to their rights (Rule 803).

Must every plaintiff win against every defendant under Rule 803?

No. Rule 803 lets any one or more plaintiffs recover against any one or more defendants, matching the judgment to each party's own rights.

Can the judgment award damages instead of land under Rule 803?

Yes. Rule 803 lists damages alongside the premises, a part of them, or an interest in them, as possible recoveries.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 803), 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: multiple parties recovery trespass to try titleseveral plaintiffs and defendants judgmentrecovery according to parties' rightsdamages or land recovery multiple partiesTRCP 803