To meet a requirement in the 2011 loser-pays law, the Texas Supreme Court now must review two sets of rules for expedited trials. The high court’s task force couldn’t agree on whether expedited trials for low-dollar cases seeking $100,000 or less in damages should be mandatory or voluntary.

The Supreme Court Advisory Committee (SCAC) considered the question on Jan. 27, deciding 26-18 that expedited trials should be voluntary. That vote is not binding on the high court.