Multidistrict Litigation Orders

Rule 13 of the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration is effective in all cases filed on or after September 1, 2003. Composed of five Judges, the Multidistrict Litigation Panel (MDL Panel) is the judicial panel on multidistrict litigation designated pursuant to section 74.161 of the Texas Government Code, including any temporary members designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas in his or her discretion when regular members are unable to sit for any reason. The Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas serves as the Multidistrict Litigation Panel Clerk.

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General Filing Requirements

All documents must be electronically filed with the MDL Panel Clerk (Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas) using the Texas.gov electronic filing system. Through the Texas.gov system, you can electronically file documents, pay your fees, and serve opposing counsel. The Electronic Filing Rules for the Supreme Court of Texas apply to documents filed with the MDL Panel Clerk.

Please also submit one paper copy to the MDL Panel Clerk and to the each of the MDL Panel Members at the addresses listed below. Paper copies must conform to the requirements of Rule 9.4 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. There are specific requirements for binding in Rule 9.4 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. Documents must be bound so that they will lie flat when open. You may not use any kind of plastic cover.

Sending Documents to the MDL Panel Clerk

Please note the paper courtesy copies to the MDL Panel Clerk must be the printed version of the file-stamped e-filed document.

Below are the addresses for mailing documents by overnight mail and by regular mail. The documents should be addressed to the Honorable Blake A. Hawthorne, Clerk, Multidistrict Litigation Panel.

Please feel free to contact the Chief Deputy Clerk, Claudia Jenks at claudia.jenks@txcourts.gov, if you have any questions regarding MDL filings.

Sending Documents to the MDL Panel Members

All documents filed with the MDL Panel Clerk must also be mailed to each of the Panel Members listed below. It is your responsibility to mail the documents to the MDL Panel Members, the MDL Panel Clerk will not mail the documents to the panel members. DO NOT EMAIL THE DOCUMENTS TO THE MDL PANEL MEMBERS.

Multidistrict Litigation Filing Fees

Pursuant to Section 51.005(c), Government Code and Rule 13.3(g), Rule of Judicial Administration, the Court adopted and approved and the Clerk shall collect the following reasonable filing fees. See Misc. Docket No. 03-9151. Fees may be paid in cash, by check or money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to, "Clerk, Supreme Court of Texas". Credit cards are not accepted.

Notice to Trial Court

Pursuant to Rule 13.3(i), Rules of Judicial Administration, a party must file in the trial court that a motion for transfer has been filed. The MDL Panel Clerk must cause such notice to be filed when a request for transfer by a judge has been filed. See Example of Notice to Trial Court of MDL Filing [pdf].