Rule 352.The Business Court Generally

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 352 provides that the Texas business court follows Chapter 25A of the Government Code together with Parts I, II, III, and VI of the Rules of Civil Procedure, and makes Part III control over the general parts in any conflict.

Full Text of Rule 352

Text size

Chapter 25A, Government Code, and Parts I, II, III, and VI of these rules govern the procedures in the business court. If there is any conflict between Parts I, II, and VI and Part III, Part III controls.

End

Notes and Comments

Comment to 2024 change: Part III of these rules is adopted to implement Texas Government Code Chapter 25A.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 352 sets the ground rules for the Texas business court, the specialized court for large commercial disputes that opened on September 1, 2024. Proceedings there are governed by Chapter 25A of the Government Code — the statute creating the court — along with the general rules in Parts I and II, the business-court rules in Part III, and the ancillary-proceedings rules in Part VI.

When the general parts and the business-court rules conflict, Part III controls. In short, the business court runs on the ordinary civil rules, adjusted by the specialized Part III provisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What rules govern the Texas business court?

Under Rule 352, Chapter 25A of the Government Code plus Parts I, II, III, and VI of the Rules of Civil Procedure, with Part III controlling in any conflict.

Do the general Rules of Civil Procedure still apply in the Texas business court?

Yes. Rule 352 folds in Parts I, II, and VI of the Rules of Civil Procedure alongside the business-court rules in Part III and Chapter 25A of the Government Code.

What happens when a general civil procedure rule conflicts with a business-court rule?

Part III wins. Rule 352 makes the business-court rules control over Parts I, II, and VI whenever the two sets of rules conflict.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 352), 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: business court generallyTexas business courtChapter 25APart III business courtTRCP 352