What Is a Special Appearance in Court? A special appearance is Texas terminology for a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction. A special appearance in court is distinct from general appearances in that it is made solely to challenge jurisdiction.

In law, an appearance (from Latin apparere, to appear) occurs when a party to a lawsuit physically appears in court, or to a formal act through which a defendant submits to the jurisdiction of the court in which the lawsuit is pending.

The party may come for any reason that recognizes the authority of the court. Some states follow common law and do not consider a general appearance made when a party comes into court purely to challenge the court's personal jurisdiction over the defendant – this is instead known as a special appearance.

A special appearance is for the purpose of testing or objecting to the sufficiency of service or the jurisdiction of the court over defendant without submitting to such jurisdiction; a general appearance is made where the defendant waives defects of service and submits to the jurisdiction of court.

A party enters an appearance when they show up to court in response to a service of process. Appearance isn't only a reference to physical presence in court when required, but also to procedural compliance (e.g., filing an answer, participating in discovery).

A coming into court as party to a suit, whether as plaintiff or defendant The formal proceeding by which a defendant submits himself to the jurisdiction of the court.

Quoting Jurisprudence, Black's Law Dictionary correctly reads: “So far as legal theory is concerned, a person is any being whom the law regards as capable of rights or duties.”