Fourteenth Court of Appeals

About the Court 

Court of Appeals

Fourteenth District of Texas

            The Court of Civil Appeals for the Fourteenth Supreme Judicial District of Texas at Houston was created by the Act of May 29, 1967, 60th Leg., R.S., ch. 728, 1967 Tex. Gen. Laws 1952 (Senate Bill no. 261). The Act was effective September 1, 1967. It provided:

From and after the passage of this Act, the Courts of Civil Appeals for the First and the Fourteenth Supreme Judicial Districts may transact their business either at the city of Galveston or the city of Houston, as the court shall determine it necessary and convenient; providing, that all cases originating.in Galveston County may be heard and tried in such county. Subject to the provisions of Article 1738, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925, as amended, the clerks of the First and the Fourteenth Supreme Judicial Districts shall also from time to time equalize by lot or chance the dockets of the two courts.

            The original counties of the Fourteenth Supreme Judicial District were: Trinity, Walker, Grimes, Burleson, Washington, Waller, Harris, Chambers, Austin, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Colorado, and Brazos.

            The first entry in the Minute Book is the following:

                                                                                                FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1967

                On this day in Room 212, the Jury Assembly Room, in the Harris County Civil Courts Building, in Houston, Harris County, Texas, the Honorable Ben. F. Wilson, Judge of the 61st District Court of Harris County, Texas, administered the Oath of Office to the Honorable BERT H. TUNKS, Chief Justice, and the Honorable JOHN M. BARRON, and Honorable SAM D. JOHNSON, Associate Justices, of this newly-created COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS for the FOURTEENTH SUPREME JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS, Houston, Texas. This Fourteenth Court of Civil Appeals was created by S.B. No. 261, Acts of the 60th Legislature, effective September 1, 1967.

                                                                                                FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1967

                Court meet in Special Session, present Chief Justice Tunks, and Associate Justices Barron and Johnson.

                In accordance with the provisions of Article 1827, Vernon’s Annotated Texas Statutes, Richard E. Tisdale, Houston, Harris County, Texas, is hereby appointed Clerk of the Court of Civil Appeals for the Fourteenth Supreme Judicial District of Texas, for a term of two years, beginning September 1, 1967, and ending August 31, 1969.

                                                                                                FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1967

                Court meet in Special Session, present Chief Justice Tunks, and Associate Justices Barron and Johnson.

                In accordance with the provisions of Article 1836, Vernon’s Annotated Texas Statutes, Carol T. Biletnikoff, Houston, harris [sic] County, Texas, is hereby appointed Stenographer of the Court of Civil Appeals for the Fourteenth Supreme Judicial District of Texas.

                Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 426, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, and to conform to Rule 498, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, it is hereby adopted as a general rule of the Court of Civil Appeals for the Fourteenth Supreme Judicial District of Texas as a rule to the effect that in the argument of cases in such court each side may be allowed thirty minutes in the argument at the bar, with fifteen minutes more in the conclusion by the appellant. In cases of very great importance, involving difficult questions, the time allotted herein may be extended by the court, provided, application therefor is made before argument begins. Not more than two counsel on each side will be heard, except on leave of the court.

                The Court directed the entry of the following orders this date:

Roberta K. Tillinghast, et al v. Joseph N. Wofford, et ux, from Harris

     It is ordered, on Appellants’ fourth motion duly filed herein this date, that the time for filing their brief herein be, and the same herby [sic] is, further extended, to and including September 12, 1967.

     It is ordered that the following three (3) causes be set for submission and oral argument on September 6, 1967:

Consolidated Casualty Ins. Co. v. George W. Jackson, Sr., from Harris

Milton Moore v. Johnie C. Werner, et ux, from Harris

  1. R. Hutson, et al v. City of Houston, Texas, from Harris

. . . .

                ORDERED that Court do now adjourn until Wednesday, September 6, 1967, at 9:00 A.M.

            The court’s first three opinions were handed down on Wednesday, September 13, 1967:

CONSOLIDATED CASUALTY COMPANY

                Appeal from District Court of Harris County (Tr. Ct. #654,427)

VS.

                Opinion delivered by Chief Justice Tunks

GEORGE W. JACKSON, SR.

[419 S.W.2d 232, writ ref’d n.r.e.]

 

 

MILTON MOORE

                Appeal from County Civil Court at Law of Harris County (Tr. Ct. #134,450)

VS.

                Opinion delivered by Associate Justice Barron

JOHNIE C. WERNER, ET UX

[418 S.W.2d 918, no writ]

 

 

R.R. HUTSON

                Appeal from District Court of Harris County (Tr. Ct. #626,049)

VS.

                Opinion delivered by Associate Justice Johnson

CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS

[418 S.W.2d 911, writ ref’d n.r.e.]