How many levels of discovery are there in Texas?

Asked by: Dr. Henry O'Kon  |  Last update: December 6, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (17 votes)

In Texas, there are three different levels of discovery. The discovery period is when all discovery must be conducted. For information on discovery periods, please see Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 190.

What are the discovery levels in Texas?

Every case filed in Texas state court requires the plaintiff to choose a discovery plan: Level One, which applies only for cases where the plaintiff seeks less than $100,000 in damages; Level Two, which applies by default to all other cases and has its own specific set of deadlines; and Level Three, which allows the ...

What is Level 3 discovery Texas?

A case remains in Level 1 or Level 2, as determined by the pleadings, unless and until it is moved to Level 3. To be in Level 3, the court must order a specific plan for the case, either on a party's motion or on the court's own initiative.

What is Level 2 discovery Texas?

In most cases, discovery level 2 (Rule 190.3) governs the timing of discovery. After initial disclosures, you can serve requests for discovery until 30 days before the date set for trial, or the date set by the court.

What are the levels of discovery in Texas divorce?

Each divorce case in Texas must follow a discovery control plan and, depending on the amount of assets involved in your case, may fall under Level 1, 2 or 3. Tex. Fam. Code § 190.1.

What is Discovery: Discovery & Settlement

32 related questions found

What is discovery Level 3 in Texas divorce?

Level 3 applies to those cases for which the court orders discovery conducted according to a discovery plan tailored to the circumstances of the specific suit. The court must make such an order on a party's motion and may do so on its own initiative. The parties may submit an agreed order for the court's consideration.

How long is the discovery period in Texas?

The discovery period typically begins when the first initial disclosures are due and continues for 180 days.

What is the discovery period in Texas Level 1?

(1) Discovery period. All discovery must be conducted during the discovery period, which begins when the first initial disclosures are due and continues for 180 days. (2) Total time for oral depositions. Each party may have no more than 20 hours in total to examine and cross-examine all witnesses in oral depositions.

What is the discovery rule in Texas?

The discovery rule applies when the injury is inherently undiscoverable, and that determination is made on a categorical basis rather than on the facts of the individual case. Triex at pg. 5. The key is whether the injury is one that could be discovered through the exercise of reasonable diligence.

What is discovery Level 2 in Texas divorce?

Level Two Changes to Discovery Rules in Texas Divorce

Level Two discovery begins when the initial disclosures are due, just like in a Level One divorce, but they continue longer and can continue until 30 days before a scheduled trial date.

What is the Rule 12 in Texas?

Rule 12 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration provides for public access to certain records made or maintained by a judicial agency in its regular course of business but not pertaining to its adjudicative function.

What is the Rule 4 in Texas Rules of Civil Procedure?

P. 4. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules, by order of court, or by any applicable statute, the day of the act, event, or default after which the designated period of time begins to run is not to be included.

What is the Rule 162 in Texas?

Rule 162. Dismissal or Non-suit (1988) At any time before the plaintiff has introduced all of his evidence other than rebuttal evidence, the plaintiff may dismiss a case, or take a non-suit which shall be entered in the minutes.

What stage is after discovery?

You can plan the required resources, estimated timeline, and costs by having the requirements. Never proceed with the project without comprehensively gathering requirements from your clients. Once that's done, you are set to move into the next stage, “Research.”

How long is discovery stage?

Once a personal injury lawsuit gets underway, the discovery process will last at least a few months and usually several months longer. In a large, complex case, it can go on for a year or more.

What are the stages of discovery?

The Discovery Process in Lawsuits
  • Depositions. Perhaps the classic example of a discovery tool is a deposition. ...
  • Requests for Production of Documents. Each party can mail these written requests to the opponent or their attorney. ...
  • Requests for Admissions. ...
  • Interrogatories. ...
  • Limits on Discovery.

What is a rule 11 agreement in Texas discovery?

You can ask other parties to agree to push back any discovery due date through a Rule 11 Agreement. A Rule 11 Agreement must be in writing, signed, and filed with the court in order to be enforceable. It is better to respond to discovery late than not at all. You should respond to the discovery as soon as possible.

What is the reasonable discovery rule?

What is the discovery rule? The discovery rule prevents the statute of limitations from running until the plaintiff discovers, or has reason to discover, the cause of action. The discovery rule applies when the plaintiff did not discover – and a reasonable person would not have discovered – that they had suffered harm.

What is rule 202 discovery Texas?

TEXAS RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 202 provides for the taking of depositions prior to the filing of suit. Rule 202 specifies two scenarios where pre-suit depositions are proper: (1) to preserve witness testimony for an anticipated suit; or (2) to investigate a potential suit.

What is scope of discovery in Texas?

192.3 Scope of Discovery. (a) Generally. In general, a party may obtain discovery regarding any matter that is not privileged and is relevant to the subject matter of the pending action, whether it relates to the claim or defense of the party seeking discovery or the claim or defense of any other party.

What is the rule 191.5 in Texas?

191.5 Service of Discovery Materials.

Every disclosure, discovery request, notice, response, and objection required to be served on a party or person must be served on all parties of record.

What is the first step of discovery?

The first phase of the discovery process is the written discovery phase. During this phase, your attorney may send and receive requests to produce documents, requests for admissions of facts, and written interrogatories.

What is the new rule 194 in Texas?

Comment to 2021 change: Rule 194 is amended to implement section 22.004(h-1) of the Texas Government Code, which calls for rules "to promote the prompt, efficient, and cost-effective resolution of civil actions filed in county courts at law in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $250,000" that "balance the ...

What is the deadline for discovery responses in Texas?

The responding party must serve a written response on the requesting party within 30 days after service of the interrogatories.

What are the rules for expedited discovery in Texas?

Discovery is governed by Rule 190.2. (2) Trial Setting; Continuances. On any party's request, the court must set the case for a trial date that is within 90 days after the discovery period in Rule 190.2(b)(1) ends. The court may continue the case twice, not to exceed a total of 60 days.