Rule 503.4.Pretrial Conference

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 503.4 lets the court, once all parties have appeared, set a pretrial conference on a party's request or its own to address discovery, pleadings, undisputed facts, witnesses, settlement, and other issues that streamline the trial.

Full Text of Rule 503.4

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) Conference Set; Notice. If all parties have appeared in a lawsuit, the court, at any party’s request or on its own, may set a case for a pretrial conference. Reasonable notice must be sent to all parties at their addresses of record.

(b) Issues. Appropriate issues for the pretrial conference include:

(1) discovery;

(2) the amendment or clarification of pleadings;

(3) the admission of facts and documents to streamline the trial process;

(4) a limitation on the number of witnesses at trial;

(5) the identification of facts, if any, which are not in dispute between the parties;

(6) mediation or other alternative dispute resolution services;

(7) the possibility of settlement;

(8) trial setting dates that are amenable to the court and all parties;

(9) the appointment of interpreters, if needed;

(10) the application of a Rule of Civil Procedure not in Part V or a Rule of Evidence; and

(11) any other issue that the court deems appropriate.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 503.4 provides for a pretrial conference. If all parties have appeared, the court — at a party's request or on its own — may set the case for a conference. Appropriate issues include discovery, amending or clarifying pleadings, admitting facts and documents, limiting witnesses, identifying undisputed facts, mediation or other alternative dispute resolution, the possibility of settlement, trial-setting dates, interpreters, whether to apply a rule from outside Part V, and any other appropriate matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pretrial conference in Texas justice court?

A meeting the court may set once all parties have appeared to streamline the case — covering discovery, pleadings, undisputed facts, settlement, and trial scheduling (Rule 503.4).

Who can ask for a pretrial conference in Texas justice court?

Any party, or the court on its own, once all parties have appeared in the case (Rule 503.4(a)).

Can a Texas justice court raise settlement at a pretrial conference?

Yes. Rule 503.4 lists the possibility of settlement, along with mediation and other alternative dispute resolution, among the topics a pretrial conference may cover.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 503.4), 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: pretrial conference justice courtpretrial conference issuesscheduling conference justice courttrial preparation meetingTRCP 503.4