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Commissioners back phased addition of civil district courts after months of appeals from judges, lawyers
Summary
Following an extended public comment period with judges, law firms and law students urging expansion, Commissioners Court approved a phased plan to add five civil district courts — three in 2026 and two in 2027 — as the first step of a larger request for nine new courts.
Harris County Commissioners Court on Feb. 27 approved a phased plan to add five civil district courts — three in 2026 and two in 2027 — after hours of public testimony from judges, the trial bar and law students about case backlogs.
Judges and members of the county bar urged the court to act this legislative session. "The numbers are clear," Administrative Judge Lauren Reeder told commissioners, citing filings and clearance rates: "In 02/2024 ... 55,000 cases were filed and the judges of my division cleared 55,000 cases. We had a 100% clearance rate." Reeder and other speakers said filings have been rising while the number of civil benches…
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