# Tex. R. Civ. P. 12: Rule 12. ATTORNEY TO SHOW AUTHORITY

> Texas · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R12

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. R. Civ. P. 12
- **Heading:** Rule 12. ATTORNEY TO SHOW AUTHORITY
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Texas Rules of Civil Procedure / Rule 12

## Text

RULE 12. ATTORNEY TO SHOW AUTHORITY

A party in a suit or proceeding pending in a court of this state may, by sworn written motion stating
that he believes the suit or proceeding is being prosecuted or defended without authority, cause the
attorney to be cited to appear before the court and show his authority to act. The notice of the
motion shall be served upon the challenged attorney at least ten days before the hearing on the
motion. At the hearing on the motion, the burden of proof shall be upon the challenged attorney to
show sufficient authority to prosecute or defend the suit on behalf of the other party. Upon his
failure to show such authority, the court shall refuse to permit the attorney to appear in the cause,
and shall strike the pleadings if no person who is authorized to prosecute or defend appears. The

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motion may be heard and determined at any time before the parties have announced ready for trial,
but the trial shall not be unnecessarily continued or delayed for the hearing.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 1 Rule 1. OBJECTIVE OF RULES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R1.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 2 Rule 2. SCOPE OF RULES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R2.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 3 Rule 3. CONSTRUCTION OF RULES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R3.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 3a Rule 3a. of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 10 of the Texas Rules of Judicial](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R3a.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 5 Rule 5. ENLARGEMENT OF TIME](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R5.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 7 Rule 7. MAY APPEAR BY ATTORNEY](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R7.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 9 Rule 9. NUMBER OF COUNSEL HEARD](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R9.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 10 Rule 10. WITHDRAWAL OF ATTORNEY](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R10.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 11 Rule 11. (c)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R11.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 12 Rule 12. ATTORNEY TO SHOW AUTHORITY](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R12.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 13 Rule 13. EFFECT OF SIGNING PLEADINGS, MOTIONS AND OTHER PAPERS;](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R13.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 14 Rule 14. AFFIDAVIT BY AGENT](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R14.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 14b Rule 14b. RETURN OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF EXHIBITS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R14b.md)
- [Tex. R. Civ. P. 14c Rule 14c. DEPOSIT IN LIEU OF SURETY BOND](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R14c.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TX_CIVIL_R12. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.