proceeding) (per curiam); In re Mo. Pac. R.R., 998 S.W.2d 212, 215-16 (Tex. 1999) (orig. proceeding); In re Signorelli Co., 446 S.W.3d 470, 473 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, orig. proceeding). The only issue presented in such cases is whether the trial court properly interpreted the mandatory venue provision.
To establish that venue is mandatory in a particular county pursuant to § 15.011, the movant must prove: (1) the nature of the lawsuit fits within the categories listed in § 15.011, and (2) all or part of the property at issue is located in the county alleged to have mandatory venue. In re Custom Home Builders of Cent. Tex. Inc., 647 S.W.3d at 427; In re Harding, 563 S.W.3d 366, 370-71 (Tex. App.-Texarkana 2018, orig. proceeding); In re Signorelli Co., 446 S.W.3d 470, 473 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, orig. proceeding).
proceeding) (per curiam); In re Mo. Pac. R.R., 998 S.W.2d 212, 215-16 (Tex. 1999) (orig. proceeding); In re Signorelli Co., 446 S.W.3d 470, 473 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, orig. proceeding). The only issue presented in such cases is whether the trial court properly interpreted the mandatory venue provision.
proceeding) (per curiam); In re Mo. Pac. R.R., 998 S.W.2d 212, 215-16 (Tex. 1999) (orig. proceeding); In re Signorelli Co., 446 S.W.3d 470, 473 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, orig. proceeding). Under the clear abuse of discretion standard, we defer to the trial court's factual determinations that are supported by evidence, but we review the trial court's legal determinations de novo.
Certain kinds of suits involving land must be filed in the county where all or a portion of the property is located. In re Signorelli Co., 446 S.W.3d 470, 473 (Tex.App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, orig. proceeding). In this regard, Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 15.
See id. (citing In re Signorelli Co., Inc., 446 S.W.3d 470, 474 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, orig. proceeding) (citations omitted)).
We look at the "essence" of the parties' dispute, rather than how causes of action are described by the parties. See In re Signorelli Co., Inc., 446 S.W.3d 470, 474 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, orig. proceeding) (citations omitted). The essence of the lawsuit "depends on the facts alleged in the petition, the rights asserted, and the relief sought."
See, e.g., In re Signorelli Co., 446 S.W.3d 470, 473 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, orig. proceeding). Although the TEC initially sought mandamus relief from the trial court's denial, we dismissed the mandamus petition on the TEC's motion after Judge Cleveland dismissed the case under the TCPA.