Texas House Bill HB1033

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the jurisdiction of county and justice courts in civil matters.

Impact

The passage of HB1033 is expected to relieve some of the case load from district courts, thereby increasing efficiency in the court system. By allowing justice courts to handle cases up to $20,000, the bill is designed to facilitate quicker resolutions for plaintiffs and defendants involved in civil disputes. Especially in areas with higher populations and more civil litigations, such as urban settings, this adjustment may promote better access for residents seeking resolution for minor civil claims without the complexity and delays associated with higher courts.

Summary

House Bill 1033 amends the Texas Government Code concerning the jurisdiction of county and justice courts in civil matters. The bill raises the amount in controversy that these courts can handle concurrently from $10,000 to $20,000, allowing them to handle a wider range of civil cases. This change aims to streamline the judicial process by enabling lower-level courts to manage more substantial claims without needing to escalate them to higher courts, such as district courts. The bill underscores an effort to improve access to justice, particularly for cases involving monetary disputes that do not require the intervention of a district court.

Contention

Notably, the increase in jurisdictional limits may face criticism from those arguing that it could overwhelm justice courts with higher value claims, which were previously outside their jurisdiction. Concerns also exist that this shift may affect the quality of legal representation and the thoroughness with which cases are handled. Additionally, some stakeholders may express apprehension regarding unequal access to justice, as individuals dealing with larger claims might require more sophisticated legal navigation that a justice court might not be equipped to provide.