Rule 238.Call of Appearance Docket

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 238 directs the court or clerk to call, in order, all cases in which a defendant's appearance day has arrived, and lets the plaintiff's attorney request the call if they do not.

Full Text of Rule 238

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On the appearance day of a particular defendant and at the hour named in the citation, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable, the court or clerk in open court shall call, in their order, all the cases on the docket in which such day is appearance day as to any defendant, or, the court or clerk failing therein, any such case shall be so called on request of the plaintiff's attorney.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 238 governs the docket call on a defendant's appearance day. At the hour named in the citation, or as soon afterward as practicable, the court or clerk calls in open court, in order, all the cases on the docket for which that day is an appearance day as to any defendant. If the court or clerk does not, the plaintiff's attorney may request that a case be called.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the call of the appearance docket in Texas?

It is the open-court call, under Rule 238, of all cases in which a defendant's appearance day has arrived. The plaintiff's attorney may request the call if the court or clerk does not make it.

When is the appearance docket called in Texas?

At the hour named in the citation, or as soon after as practicable, on the defendant's appearance day, under Rule 238.

What can a plaintiff's attorney do if the court skips calling a case on appearance day?

Request that the case be called. Rule 238 gives the plaintiff's attorney that option when the court or clerk does not call it.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 238), 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: call of appearance docketdocket callappearance docketTRCP 238