Rule Text
A. In all appealable contested cases, other than those tried by a jury, the court when requested to do so by a party shall give in writing its findings of fact and reasons for judgment, provided the request is made not later than ten days after the mailing of the notice of the signing of the judgment.
B. In nonjury cases to recover damages for injury, death, or loss, whether or not requested to do so by a party, the court shall make specific findings that shall include those matters to which reference is made in Paragraph C of Article 1812 of this Code. These findings need not include reasons for judgment.
Amendment history: Amended by Acts 1979, No. 431, §3, eff. Aug. 1, 1980; Acts 1980, No. 111, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1980; Acts 1980, No. 112, §1, eff. June 26, 1980; Acts 2005, No. 205, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)
This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
When a judge (not a jury) decides a contested case that can be appealed, either side can ask the judge to explain the decision in writing. The judge must write down the facts they found to be true and the legal reasons behind the ruling. To get this explanation, a party must make the request within ten days after being notified that the judgment was signed.
There's a special rule for injury, death, or loss cases decided by a judge alone. In these cases, the judge must automatically write down specific factual findings, the kind mentioned in Article 1812(C), whether or not anyone asks for them. However, the judge doesn't have to explain the legal reasoning in these cases, just the facts they found.
In short, this rule lets people get a written explanation of why a judge ruled the way they did, as long as they ask in time. It also makes sure that certain injury and damage cases always come with clear factual findings, even without a request.
