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Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure – 2026

The Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure govern practice in the Texas Courts of Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, covering appeals, original proceedings, and discretionary review.

Browse all 81 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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Section One: General Provisions Section Two: Appeals from Trial Section Three: Original Proceedings Section Four: Proceedings in The Section Five: Proceedings in The

Section One: General Provisions

Rule 1 Scope of Rule; Local Rules of Courts of Appeals Rule 2 Suspension of Rule Rule 3 Definitions; Uniform Terminology Rule 4 Time and Notice Provisions Rule 5 Fees in Civil Cases Rule 6 Representation by Counsel Rule 7 Substituting Parties Rule 8 Bankruptcy in Civil Cases Rule 9 Documents Generally Rule 10 Motions in the Appellate Courts Rule 11 Amicus Curiae Briefs Rule 12 Duties of Appellate Clerk Rule 13 Court Reporters and Court Recorders Rule 14 Recording and Broadcasting Court Proceedings Rule 15 Issuance of Writ or Process by Appellate Court Rule 16 Disqualification or Recusal of Appellate Judges Rule 17 Court of Appeals Unable to Take Immediate Action Rule 18 Mandate Rule 19 Plenary Power of the Courts of Appeals and Expiration of Term Rule 20 When Party is Indigent

Section Two: Appeals from Trial

Rule 21 New Trials in Criminal Cases Rule 22 Arrest of Judgment in Criminal Cases Rule 23 Nunc Pro Tunc Proceedings in Criminal Cases Rule 24 Suspension of Enforcement of Judgment Pending Appeal in Civil Cases Rule 25 Perfecting Appeal Rule 26 Time to Perfect Appeal Rule 27 Premature Filings Rule 27a Transfers To and From the Fifteenth Court of Appeals Rule 28 Accelerated and Permissive Appeals in Civil Cases Rule 29 Orders Pending Interlocutory Appeal in Civil Cases Rule 30 Restricted Appeals to Court of Appeals in Civil Cases Rule 31 Appeals in Habeas Corpus, Bail, and Extradition Proceedings in Criminal Cases Rule 32 Docketing Statement Rule 33 Preservation of Appellate Complaints Rule 34 Appellate Record Rule 35 Time to File Record; Responsibility for Filing Record Rule 36 Agency Record in Administrative Appeals Rule 37 Duties of the Appellate Clerk on Receiving the Notice of Appeal and Record Rule 38 Requisites of Briefs Rule 39 Oral Argument; Decision Without Argument Rule 40 Order of Decision Rule 41 Panel and En Banc Decision Rule 42 Dismissal; Settlement Rule 43 Judgment of the Court of Appeals Rule 44 Reversible Error Rule 45 Damages for Frivolous Appeals in Civil Cases Rule 46 Remittitur in Civil Cases Rule 47 Opinions, Publication, and Citation Rule 48 Copy of Opinion and Judgment to Interested Parties and Other Courts Rule 49 Motion for Rehearing and En Banc Reconsideration Rule 50 Abolished by Order of July 12, 2011, eff September 1, 2011 Rule 51 Enforcement of Judgments after Mandate

Section Three: Original Proceedings

Rule 52 Original Proceedings

Section Four: Proceedings in The

Rule 53 Petition for Review Rule 54 Filing the Record Rule 55 Brief on the Merits Rule 56 Orders on Petition for Review Rule 57 Direct Appeals to the Supreme Court Rule 58 Certification of Questions of Law by United State Courts Rule 59 Submission and Argument Rule 60 Judgments in the Supreme Court Rule 61 Reversible Error Rule 62 Damages for Frivolous Appeals Rule 63 Opinions; Copy of Opinion and Judgment to Interested Parties and Other Courts Rule 64 Motion for Rehearing Rule 65 Enforcement of Judgment after Mandate

Section Five: Proceedings in The

Rule 66 Discretionary Review in General Rule 67 Discretionary Review Without Petition Rule 68 Discretionary Review With Petition Rule 69 Action of Court on Petition for Discretionary Review and After Granting Review Rule 70 Brief on the Merits Rule 71 Direct Appeals Rule 72 Extraordinary Matters Rule 73 Postconviction Applications for Writs of Habeas Corpus Rule 74 Review of Certified State Criminal-Law Questions Rule 75 Notification; Oral Argument Rule 76 Submissions En Banc Rule 77 Opinions Rule 78 Judgments in the Court of Criminal Appeals Rule 79 Rehearings Rule 80 State Prosecuting Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure cover?
The Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure (TRAP) govern how appeals and original proceedings are handled in Texas appellate courts, including the Courts of Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. They set the requirements for filing deadlines, briefs, motions, and records in both civil and criminal appeals across the state.
How do the TRAP differ from the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure?
The TRAP apply only to Texas state appellate courts, while the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure govern appeals in the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals. If you are appealing a decision from a federal district court in Texas, you would follow the federal rules rather than the TRAP, even though the case is physically in Texas.
Where in the TRAP can I find rules about briefing deadlines and requirements?
Rules 38 through 40 of the TRAP address the content, length, and format of briefs, while Rule 9 covers general filing requirements and deadlines for documents. If you are looking for when a brief is due after the clerk's record is filed, Rule 38.6 is the place to start.