Verdict . News

3w ago•4 min read

•Texas Supreme Court denied review in case involving Rule 91a motion standards and pleading exhibit consideration

Texas Supreme Court Denies Review in Rule 91a Motion Case

The Texas Supreme Court denied review in Gardens of Connemara Ltd. v. Longhorn Creek Ltd., leaving unresolved the important question of when trial courts must consider pleading exhibits when ruling on Rule 91a motions to dismiss. Justice Young's concurrence highlighted the significance of this procedural issue while explaining why the case was not suitable for Supreme Court review.

•Justice Young's concurrence emphasized the importance of clarifying when courts must consider attached exhibits

Jan 16, 2026•4 min read

•Texas Supreme Court invalidated default judgment due to inadequate service of process compliance

Texas Supreme Court Strengthens Due Process in Default Judgment Ruling

The Texas Supreme Court ruled that a default judgment against Top Notch Movers was improper due to inadequate service of process. Chief Justice Blacklock emphasized that constitutional due process requires proper notice before defendants can be bound by court judgments, even when statutory requirements appear satisfied.

•Chief Justice Blacklock emphasized constitutional due process requires proper notice beyond statutory compliance

Jan 9, 2026•4 min read

•Texas Supreme Court dismissed appeal attempt by party who agreed to settlement waiving appellate rights

Texas Supreme Court Reinforces Settlement Agreement Appeal Waivers

The Texas Supreme Court issued a per curiam decision dismissing an appeal attempt by a party who tried to back out of a binding settlement agreement that waived appellate rights. The court reaffirmed the longstanding principle that parties cannot appeal after agreeing to settlement terms that relinquish all claims and waive appeal rights.

•Court reaffirmed century-old principle that appellate review rights can be waived by agreement

Jan 9, 2026•4 min read

•Texas Supreme Court ruled judges may refuse same-sex weddings for religious reasons without violating judicial conduct rules

Texas Supreme Court: Judges Can Refuse Same-Sex Weddings for Religious Reasons

The Texas Supreme Court answered a certified question from the Fifth Circuit, ruling that judges may publicly refuse to perform same-sex weddings based on religious beliefs while continuing to officiate opposite-sex ceremonies. The court clarified Canon 4A(1) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct in *Umphress v. Steel*.

•Court adopted clarifying comment to Canon 4 stating religious exemptions are permissible for wedding ceremonies

Jan 9, 2026•4 min read

•Texas Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals ruling that dismissed Chapter 252 claims against City of Houston

Texas Supreme Court Orders Discovery in $50K Municipal Contract Case

The Texas Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision and ordered jurisdictional discovery in a case where restaurant operators alleged the City of Houston violated state procurement laws by entering into a contract exceeding $50,000 without proper procedures.

•Case involves alleged violation of procurement laws in awarding Hobby Airport concessions contract exceeding $50,000

Dec 22, 2025•4 min read

•Texas Supreme Court conditionally granted mandamus relief to Attorney General Ken Paxton in dispute over prosecutor reporting requirements

Texas Supreme Court Backs AG Paxton in Local Prosecutor Dispute

The Texas Supreme Court conditionally granted mandamus relief to Attorney General Ken Paxton in a dispute over reporting requirements imposed on local prosecutors. The court found that special procedural provisions for the state were improperly disregarded in lower court proceedings.

•Court found special procedural protections for the state were improperly disregarded by lower courts

Dec 22, 2025•4 min read

•Steve Smith's application for the 2026 Republican primary ballot was rejected for lacking fifty valid signatures from each of Texas's fifteen courts of appeals districts

Texas Supreme Court Denies Ballot Access Challenge by Chief Justice Candidate

The Supreme Court of Texas denied a mandamus petition filed by Steve Smith, who sought to appear on the 2026 Republican primary ballot for chief justice after his application was rejected for failing to meet signature requirements. The court declined to rule on the constitutionality of the Election Code's signature requirements.

•The Supreme Court of Texas denied Smith's mandamus petition seeking to declare the signature requirements unconstitutional

Dec 22, 2025•4 min read

•Texas Supreme Court granted relief after appeals court failed to properly evaluate merits before issuing stay

Texas Supreme Court Rules on Paxton Prosecutor Reporting Case

The Texas Supreme Court granted relief in a case challenging Attorney General Ken Paxton's rules requiring local prosecutors to submit detailed reports to his office. The high court found that a lower appeals court erred by not properly evaluating the merits before issuing a stay.

•Dispute involves AG rules requiring prosecutors to submit twelve categories of information including privileged materials

Dec 19, 2025•4 min read

•Supreme Court of Texas requires disclosure of communications with neutral appraisers about hiring decisions to all parties

Texas Supreme Court Sets Appraiser Impartiality Standards in Real Estate Case

The Supreme Court of Texas ruled that communications about hiring decisions with neutral appraisers in real estate disputes must be disclosed to all parties. The unanimous decision in Burke v. Houston PT BAC Office Limited Partnership establishes new transparency requirements for commercial lease valuation disputes.

•Court applied arbitration law impartiality principles to real estate appraisal dispute resolution processes