Rule 237.Appearance Day
Last amended January 1, 1955 · Last verified June 28, 2026
Full Text of Rule 237
Plain-English Summary
Rule 237 pins down a defendant's appearance day. If the citation requires the defendant to answer on a day during term time, that day is the appearance day. If the citation sets the answer day during vacation, the defendant must still plead or answer then, but the appearance day becomes the first day of the next term.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is appearance day in a Texas civil case?
It is the day tied to the answer date in the citation. Under Rule 237, it is that day if it falls in term time, or the first day of the next term if the answer day falls in vacation.
What must a defendant do if the citation's answer day falls in vacation?
Plead or answer on that day regardless. Rule 237 still moves the appearance day itself to the first day of the next term.
Does Rule 237 apply to a defendant who was not duly cited?
Rule 237 speaks to a defendant who has been duly cited; appearance day is measured from the answer day that citation set.