On September 1, 2024, the new Texas Business Court opened for business. The Texas Business Court is a statewide, specialized trial court created to resolve and streamline complex business disputes. The new court has jurisdiction over specific commercial cases, such as corporate governance and derivative proceedings, in which the amount in controversy exceeds $5 million. It may also hear cases exceeding $10 million in controversy for certain commercial transaction and contract disputes. Additionally, the Texas Business Court has jurisdiction over cases against publicly traded companies and began accepting qualified transfers upon opening.
The Texas Business Court is composed of eleven geographical divisions consistent with the existing Administrative Judicial Regions. The First, Third, Fourth, Eighth, and Eleventh divisions are currently operational. They are respectively located in Dallas, Travis, Bexar, Tarrant, and Harris counties and each include multiple surrounding counties. The remaining divisions will begin opening in 2026. Texas Business Court cases must be appealed to the new statewide Fifteenth Court of Appeals.
Capitol Services now includes the Texas Business Court in our litigation searches for jurisdictions that fall within one of the court’s newly opened divisions. As the remaining divisions become operational, we will continue to add the Texas Business Court to your litigation search options. More information, including a map and list of counties served by each division, can be found here.