In one sentenceRule 500.6 lets the court exclude witnesses from the courtroom so they cannot hear other testimony, on a party's request or on its own, while exempting a party, a designated representative, and a person essential to a party's case.
The court must, on a party’s request, or may, on its own initiative, order witnesses excluded so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses. This rule does not authorize the exclusion of:
(a)a party who is a natural person or the spouse of such natural person;
(b)an officer or employee designated as a representative of a party who is not a natural person; or
(c)a person whose presence is shown by a party to be essential to the presentation of the party’s case.
End
Plain-English Summary
Rule 500.6 is the justice-court version of "the Rule" on witnesses. On a party's request the court must, and on its own it may, order witnesses excluded so they cannot hear each other testify. Three people are exempt: a party who is a natural person (or that person's spouse), an officer or employee designated to represent an entity party, and a person a party shows is essential to presenting its case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can witnesses be kept out of the courtroom in Texas justice court?
Yes. On request the court must exclude witnesses so they cannot hear other testimony, with limited exemptions (Rule 500.6).
Does witness exclusion in Texas justice court keep a party out of the courtroom?
No. Rule 500.6 exempts a party who is a natural person, or that person's spouse, from an order excluding witnesses.
Can a witness essential to your case stay in the courtroom in Texas justice court?
Yes. Rule 500.6 exempts a person a party shows is essential to presenting its case from an exclusion order.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 500.6), 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:exclusion of witnessesthe rulesequestration of witnessesTRCP 500.6