Last amended September 1, 1990 · Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 237a gives parties 15 days to answer after a removed case is remanded from federal court, and bars a default judgment against a party who filed an answer in federal court during removal.
Full Text of Rule 237a
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When any cause is removed to the Federal Court and is afterwards remanded to the state court, the plaintiff shall file a certified copy of the order of remand with the clerk of the state court and shall forthwith give written notice of such filing to the attorneys of record for all adverse parties. All such adverse parties shall have fifteen days from the receipt of such notice within which to file an answer. No default judgment shall be rendered against a party in a removed action remanded from federal court if that party filed an answer in federal court during removal.
End
Notes and Comments
Comment to 1990 change: To expressly provide, consistent with existing law, that a default judgment cannot be taken in a case remanded from federal court if an answer was filed in federal court during removal.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 237a handles the return trip from federal court. When a case that was removed is remanded to state court, the plaintiff files a certified copy of the remand order with the state clerk and gives written notice to the attorneys for all adverse parties. Those parties then have 15 days from receiving the notice to file an answer.
The rule also closes a trap: no default judgment may be rendered against a party in the remanded action if that party had filed an answer in federal court while the case was removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you have to answer after a Texas case is remanded from federal court?
15 days from receiving the plaintiff's written notice that the certified remand order was filed, under Rule 237a.
Can you take a default judgment after remand from federal court?
Not against a party who already filed an answer in federal court during the removal. Rule 237a bars a default in that situation.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 237a), 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:cases remanded from federal courtremandremoval and remand15 days to answerTRCP 237a