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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

Eastern District of Texas

Honorable Rodney Gilstrap, Chief Judge
David A. O'Toole, Clerk of Court

General Civil Filing Information

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When presenting a document for filing in a civil case, you must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) and the Local Civil Rules (LR) of the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas. Caution: All applicable rules must be adhered to; the list below is not exhaustive.

Instructions for Requesting a Summons in a Civil Case

FEDERAL RULE RELATED LOCAL RULE
FRCP 3 : Commencement of Action LR 3: Commencement of Action
FRCP 4: Summons LR 4: Complaint, Summons, and Returns
FRCP 5: Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers LR 5: Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Documents
FRCP 7: Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions LR 7: Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions and Other Documents

LR 7 (c)(d)(f): Briefs

LR 56: Summary Judgment

FRCP 8: General Rules of Pleading  
FRCP 10: Form of Pleadings LR 10: Form of Pleadings
FRCP 11: Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and Other Papers; Representations to Court; Sanctions LR 11: Signing of Pleadings, Motions, and Other Documents
FRCP 15: Amended and Supplemental Pleadings  
FRCP 81: Removed Actions LR 81: Removed Actions

 

Common Filing Deficiencies

  • No civil cover sheet filed with complaint [LR 4(a)]
  • No signature block that sets forth the attorney’s bar number and a facsimile number and e-mail address where information may be sent to the attorney [LR 11(b)(1)]
  • No certificate of service as defined in LR 5(c)
  • Failure to comply with motion practice requirements of LR 7
  • Document not signed [LR 11(b)]
  • Removal of action from state court not in compliance with LR 81
  • Admission to practice in the Eastern District of Texas [AT 1]