Oral argument is governed by Rule 39 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure and this rule.
A. Request. Oral argument should not be requested unless the party requesting argument intends to appear on the date set for submission. Conditional requests for argument (e.g., "Appellant requests oral argument only if oral argument is requested by appellee.") are acceptable.B. Time Allowed. Unless additional time is granted by the presiding justice of the panel to which the case is assigned, oral argument will be limited to twenty minutes for the appellant's argument and twenty minutes for the appellee's argument. Appellant may reserve up to five minutes from the time allotted for appellant's argument for rebuttal. To reserve time for rebuttal, appellant must notify the court before oral argument begins. Requests for additional time must be made by motion filed at least ten days before the scheduled submission date.C. Continuance. After a case has been set for argument, oral argument may be continued only by an order of the court for good cause. It may not be continued by agreement of the parties.D. Waiver. A party who desires to waive an oral argument that has been previously requested or scheduled must notify the clerk and all opposing parties at least seven days before the scheduled submission date.Tex. 2nd. Ct. App. L. R. 4