Rule 507.1.Plenary Power

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 507.1 sets when a justice court loses its plenary power to modify or vacate a judgment — when an appeal is perfected, or, if none is perfected, after the period for the court to act on post-trial motions has run.

Full Text of Rule 507.1

Text size

A justice court loses plenary power over to modify or vacate a judgment when an appeal is perfected or if no appeal is perfected, 21 days after the later of the date judgment is signed or the date a motion to set aside, motion to reinstate, or motion for new trial, if any, is denied.

End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 507.1 fixes how long the justice court can change its judgment. The court loses plenary power to modify or vacate a judgment when an appeal is perfected, or — if no appeal is perfected — once the time for the court to act on a motion to reinstate, set aside, or for new trial has expired. After that, the judgment stands.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a justice court change its judgment in Texas?

Until an appeal is perfected or, if none is, until the time to act on post-trial motions runs out (Rule 507.1).

How many days after a justice court judgment does the court keep power to change it?

21 days after the later of the date the judgment is signed or the date a motion to set aside, reinstate, or for new trial is denied, if no appeal is perfected (Rule 507.1).

Does perfecting an appeal end the justice court's power over the judgment right away?

Yes. Rule 507.1 says the court loses plenary power to modify or vacate the judgment as soon as an appeal is perfected.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 507.1), 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: plenary power justice courtloses power to modify judgmenttwenty-one days plenary powervacate justice court judgmentTRCP 507.1