In re Mark Warner, 05-26-00373-CV, March 18, 2026.
On appeal from 44th Judicial District Court, Dallas County, Texas.
Synopsis
The Dallas Court of Appeals denied a petition for writ of mandamus challenging a sanctions and turnover order because the relator failed to provide a sworn or certified record and improperly attempted to seek pro se relief while represented by counsel. The court reaffirmed that strict adherence to the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure is mandatory and that Texas law does not permit “hybrid representation” in original proceedings.
Relevance to Family Law
In the volatile environment of high-conflict divorce and property litigation, clients frequently face aggressive enforcement actions, such as turnover orders or sanctions for discovery abuse. This ruling serves as a stark warning to family law practitioners: a client’s “rogue” attempt to seek mandamus relief pro se while still represented in the trial court is procedurally terminal. Furthermore, the decision emphasizes that the Dallas Court of Appeals will not overlook technical record defects—such as unsworn certifications—even when the underlying trial court orders involve significant financial or property interests.
Case Summary
Fact Summary
Relator Mark Warner sought mandamus relief from a trial court’s February 27, 2026, order granting a motion for sanctions and for turnover in a Dallas County proceeding. The relator filed his petition pro se. However, the trial court’s underlying order indicated that the relator was currently represented by counsel in the trial court proceedings. Additionally, while the relator provided an appendix and record to support his petition, the documents were accompanied only by a signed certification stating they were “true and correct.” This certification lacked the specific statutory language required to qualify as a sworn declaration under Texas law, namely the invocation of the penalty of perjury.
Issues Decided
- Whether an unsworn certification that fails to invoke the penalty of perjury satisfies the requirement for a “sworn or certified” record under TRAP 52.3 and 52.7.
- Whether a relator who is represented by counsel in the trial court may independently file a pro se petition for writ of mandamus.
Rules Applied
- Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 52.3(l)(1)(B): Requires the relator to file an appendix containing a certified or sworn copy of any order complained of, or any other document showing the matter complained of.
- Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 52.7(a)(1): Requires the relator to file a record containing certified or sworn copies of every document material to the relator’s claim.
- Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 132.001: Governs unsworn declarations, requiring that they be subscribed as true under penalty of perjury.
- In re Lancaster, No. 05-23-00381-CV: Establishes that a certification must invoke the penalty of perjury to be considered “sworn” for purposes of the appellate rules.
- In re Burgess, No. 05-17-01226-CV: Prohibits “hybrid representation,” wherein a party attempts to act pro se while represented by an attorney of record.
Application
The Dallas Court of Appeals conducted a threshold procedural audit of the petition and found two independent, fatal defects. First, the court analyzed the relator’s record. Although the relator certified that the documents were true and correct, the court found this insufficient because it was not “sworn.” Under Fifth District precedent, an unsworn declaration must strictly comply with the Civil Practice and Remedies Code by including a statement that the contents are true under penalty of perjury. Without this specific language, the record fails to meet the requirements of TRAP 52.
Second, the court addressed the relator’s status as a pro se filer. The record from the trial court explicitly reflected that the relator was represented by counsel. The court applied the prohibition against hybrid representation, noting that a relator is not entitled to act as his own lawyer while simultaneously benefiting from (or being bound by) the representation of an attorney in the trial court. Because the relator did not have his counsel of record file the petition, the court declined to reach the merits of the sanctions dispute.
Holding
The court denied the petition for writ of mandamus on two alternative grounds. First, the relator failed to provide a record consisting of sworn or certified copies as required by TRAP 52.3 and 52.7, specifically noting that an unsworn certification without “penalty of perjury” language is a nullity.
Second, the court held that the relator was not entitled to hybrid representation. Because the relator was represented by counsel in the trial court, the court refused to entertain his pro se filing in the original proceeding.
Practical Application
This case provides a roadmap for both relators and real parties in interest in family law litigation. For the relator, it is a reminder that the “emergency” nature of a turnover order does not excuse the “sworn record” requirement. For the real party in interest, it provides a powerful, technical basis for a motion to strike or a summary denial if the opposing party attempts to bypass their counsel or files a record that has not been properly authenticated by a clerk or a compliant declaration.
Checklists
Perfecting the Mandamus Record
- Ensure every order and material document is either a certified copy from the District Clerk or a sworn copy.
- If using an unsworn declaration, verify it includes the exact phrase: “I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.”
- Check that the declaration includes the date and location of signing, as required by Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 132.001.
Avoiding the Hybrid Representation Trap
- Verify the current “Attorney of Record” status in the trial court before filing.
- If the client is filing pro se, ensure a Motion to Withdraw or a Substitution of Counsel has been signed by the trial judge.
- Confirm that the signature block on the Petition for Writ of Mandamus matches the counsel of record in the trial court to avoid any ambiguity regarding representation.
Citation
In re Mark Warner, No. 05-26-00373-CV, 2026 WL (Tex. App.—Dallas Mar. 18, 2026, orig. proceeding) (mem. op.).
Full Opinion
Family Law Crossover
This ruling is a strategic asset for family law practitioners defending against eleventh-hour mandamus filings. In high-stakes custody or property disputes, a party may attempt to file a pro se petition to stay a trial court order when their own attorney refuses to do so for ethical or strategic reasons. In re Warner confirms that such filings are procedurally defective as a matter of law. By immediately highlighting the relator’s represented status and the likely failure of an unsworn pro se record, a real party in interest can secure a denial from the Court of Appeals before the court even considers the merits of a stay or the underlying family law dispute.
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