Rule 273.Jury Submissions

Last amended January 1, 1988 · Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 273 lets either party request written questions, definitions, and instructions for the jury, which the court may give or refuse, and requires requests to be made separately from objections to the charge.

Full Text of Rule 273

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Either party may present to the court and request written questions, definitions, and instructions to be given to the jury; and the court may give them or a part thereof, or may refuse to give them, as may be proper. Such requests shall be prepared and presented to the court and submitted to opposing counsel for examination and objection within a reasonable time after the charge is given to the parties or their attorneys for examination. A request by either party for any questions, definitions, or instructions shall be made separate and apart from such party's objections to the court's charge.

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Plain-English Summary

Rule 273 governs requested charge language. Either party may present and request written questions, definitions, and instructions, and the court may give them in whole or part or refuse them as proper. Requests must be prepared, presented to the court, and submitted to opposing counsel for examination and objection within a reasonable time after the charge is given to the parties. A request for questions, definitions, or instructions must be made separate and apart from that party's objections to the charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a party request specific jury instructions in Texas?

Yes. Rule 273 lets either party request written questions, definitions, and instructions; the court may give or refuse them. Requests must be separate from the party's objections to the charge.

Must a request for a jury instruction be separate from an objection to the charge in Texas?

Yes. Rule 273 requires a request for questions, definitions, or instructions to be made separate and apart from that party's objections to the court's charge.

Is there a deadline to submit requested jury questions in Texas?

Yes. Rule 273 requires requests to be prepared, presented to the court, and submitted to opposing counsel for examination and objection within a reasonable time after the charge is given to the parties for examination.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 273), 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: jury submissionsrequested questionsrequested instructionsTRCP 273