CHAPTER 38. ATTORNEY'S FEES - Texas Statutes

CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE

TITLE 2. TRIAL, JUDGMENT, AND APPEAL

SUBTITLE C. JUDGMENTS

CHAPTER 38. ATTORNEY'S FEES

Sec. 38.001. RECOVERY OF ATTORNEY'S FEES. A person may recover

reasonable attorney's fees from an individual or corporation, in

addition to the amount of a valid claim and costs, if the claim

is for:

(1) rendered services;

(2) performed labor;

(3) furnished material;

(4) freight or express overcharges;

(5) lost or damaged freight or express;

(6) killed or injured stock;

(7) a sworn account; or

(8) an oral or written contract.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Sec. 38.002. PROCEDURE FOR RECOVERY OF ATTORNEY'S FEES. To

recover attorney's fees under this chapter:

(1) the claimant must be represented by an attorney;

(2) the claimant must present the claim to the opposing party or

to a duly authorized agent of the opposing party; and

(3) payment for the just amount owed must not have been tendered

before the expiration of the 30th day after the claim is

presented.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Sec. 38.003. PRESUMPTION. It is presumed that the usual and

customary attorney's fees for a claim of the type described in

Section 38.001 are reasonable. The presumption may be rebutted.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Sec. 38.004. JUDICIAL NOTICE. The court may take judicial

notice of the usual and customary attorney's fees and of the

contents of the case file without receiving further evidence in:

(1) a proceeding before the court; or

(2) a jury case in which the amount of attorney's fees is

submitted to the court by agreement.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Sec. 38.005. LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION. This chapter shall be

liberally construed to promote its underlying purposes.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Sec. 38.006. EXCEPTIONS. This chapter does not apply to a

contract issued by an insurer that is subject to the provisions

of:

(1) Title 11, Insurance Code;

(2) Chapter 541, Insurance Code;

(3) the Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act (Subchapter A,

Chapter 542, Insurance Code); or

(4) Subchapter B, Chapter 542, Insurance Code.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

728, Sec. 11.105, eff. September 1, 2005.