Tex. R. App. P. 40 · TWO. APPEALS FROM TRIAL COURT JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS
Order of Decision
Text — Updated with Amendments Effective February 6, 2026
40.1. Civil Cases
The court of appeals may determine the order in which civil cases will be decided. But the following types of cases have precedence over all others:
(a) a case given precedence by law;
(b) an accelerated appeal; and
(c) a case that the court determines should be given precedence in the interest of justice.
40.2. Criminal Cases
In cases not otherwise given precedence by law, the court of appeals must hear and determine a criminal appeal at the earliest possible time, having due regard for the parties' rights and for the proper administration of justice.
Reference
See Code of Criminal Procedure article 44.01(f).
Notes and commentary — not rule text
Notes and Comments
Comment on 1997 change: The provisions of former Rules 76, 77 and 78 are merged. Civil cases involving the Railroad Commission, the State, and “cases submitted on oral argument for all parties” are no longer given preference unless given preference by law.
Source of truth
- Edition
- Updated with Amendments Effective February 6, 2026
- Official file
- https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1463134/texas-rules-of-appellate-procedure-02062026.pdf (PDF pages 74–75)
- Text hash
- sha256 104d7120d6b1a25760311dfba70e2a9c04b2239a51158cb628cd9e5af30b5d44
- Composed by
- compose_tx_rules.py 2026-10-05: two PDF extractors agree character for character after the same chrome removal
Procedural information only. Not legal advice and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Confirm the current text with the official publisher before relying on it.