Judge Andrew J. Santoli
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Motion
- Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Continuances and extensions are granted only when good cause is shown.
- Extensions of court-ordered deadlines should be requested by joint or unopposed motion when possible.
- Before filing an extension motion, counsel must consult opposing counsel and state that position in the motion.
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
In addition to hard copies, proposed jury instructions, stipulated statements, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be emailed to the court's staff attorney as Microsoft Word documents.
In addition to hard copies, proposed jury instructions, including the stipulated statement of the case, jury interrogatories, and verdict forms are to be provided to the Court in a Microsoft Word document via email sent to the court’s staff attorney.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Jury instructions must conform to Ohio Judicial Instructions or cite published Ohio cases, address the issues at trial, and be short, concise, understandable, and neutral.
Counsel shall provide jury instructions that conform to OJI or cite to published Ohio cases. Counsel shall provide jury instructions that are relevant to the specific issues to be presented at trial. All instructions should be short, concise, understandable and neutral statements of law.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Trial exhibits must be pre-marked with exhibit stickers; plaintiffs use numbers and defendants use letters.
Trial exhibits shall be pre-marked with exhibit stickers and exchanged. Plaintiffs shall mark their exhibits using numbers; defendants shall mark their exhibits using letters.
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The parties must exchange, serve, and file witness lists containing each witness's name and a brief description of expected testimony.
The parties shall exchange, serve, and file witness lists which shall include the witnesses' names and a very brief statement outlining the substance of each witness' expected testimony.
Document Type
Witness List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
At the default hearing, the movant must bring an affidavit of damages, a prepared journal entry, and proof of a mailed hearing notice.
The movant must bring to the hearing the following: affidavit of damages, a prepared journal entry, and a copy of the letter sent regular and certified mail 7 days prior to the hearing date notifying all parties of the hearing and that failure to appear will result in judgment against them.
Document Type
Default Judgment Hearing Submission
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The parties must exchange, serve, and file a list of trial exhibits.
The parties shall exchange, serve, and file a list of trial exhibits.
Document Type
Trial Exhibit List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Each party must serve and file a trial brief containing the specified claims, facts, issues, stipulations, damages, and trial-time estimate.
All parties are required to serve and file a trial brief which shall contain: a succinct statement of their claims (as presented in the pleadings); a brief statement of the essential and material facts; the legal issues involved; the stipulations agreed upon by the parties; the type and amount of damages they are seeking; and an estimate of how long it will take to put on their case in chief.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Attorneys must confer before the CMC to discuss claims and defenses, settlement possibilities, discovery, and a proposed schedule.
In accordance with Civ.R. 26(F), the attorneys shall confer prior to a scheduled Case Management Conference (“CMC”) to discuss claims and possible defenses, the possibilities for resolving and/or settling the case, create a discovery plan, and establish a proposed case schedule.
Document Type
Proposed Case Schedule And Discovery Plan
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
The Court will not consider proposed jury instructions that are argumentative or otherwise nonconforming.
The Court will not consider proposed jury instructions that are deemed argumentative or which otherwise do not conform to the above requirements.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
In its objection, counsel shall highlight the objectionable language and include a concise argument as to why the proposed language is improper.
Summary: An objection must identify and highlight the objectionable language and include a concise explanation of why it is improper.
Document Type
Objections To Jury Instructions Interrogatories And Verdict Forms
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
The parties should then confer in order to agree on a single set of instructions to the extent possible.
Summary: After serving their proposed jury materials, the parties should confer and seek agreement on a single set of instructions to the extent possible.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Joint and disputed proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be filed at least seven days before trial.
The joint proposed instructions (along with the proposed instructions upon which the parties have been unable to agree), interrogatories, and verdict forms must be filed with the court at least seven (7) days before trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Jury Instructions, Interrogatories, Verdict Forms
An opposition brief is due seven days after the motion in limine is filed and at least three days before trial.
A brief in opposition is due seven (7) days after the motion in limine is filed, but no later than three days prior to trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
The parties must file their proposed discovery plan at least seven days before the CMC.
The parties shall file their proposed discovery plan in accordance with Civ.R. 26(F)(3) seven (7) days prior to the CMC.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Civil Case Management Order
Written motions in limine must be filed ten days before trial.
Motions in Limine must be in writing and filed ten (10) days before trial.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Any objections to opposing counsel's proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, or verdict forms must be filed at least two days before trial.
Further, counsel must file its objections, if any, to jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms proposed by opposing counsel at least two (2) days before trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Jury Instructions, Interrogatories, Verdict Forms
The parties must notify the Court as soon as practicable after reaching a settlement.
In the event that a case has settled, the parties are to notify the Court as soon as practicable after a settlement agreement has been reached.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Settlement Conference
The Court may strike motions or briefs that are untimely.
Untimely motions and/or briefs may be stricken by the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
The court must receive copies of the witness and exhibit lists at least seven days before trial.
The parties are required to provide the court with a copy of all of the above items seven (7) days before trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Witness and Exhibit Lists
Within 30 days after settlement, the parties must submit a joint notice of dismissal identifying who will pay the court costs.
The parties are to submit a joint Notice of Dismissal indicating which party will bear the court costs of the action within 30 days of the settlement agreement.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Settlement Conference
The Court schedules a default hearing after a motion for default judgment is filed.
Upon filing of a motion for default judgment, the Court will schedule a default hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Default Judgment
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms must be served on the other parties at least 14 days before trial.
The parties must serve their proposed jury instructions, interrogatories, and verdict forms on each other at least fourteen (14) days before trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Jury Instructions, Interrogatories, Verdict Forms
The movant must bring the affidavit of damages, prepared journal entry, and copy of the hearing notice letter sent by regular and certified mail 7 days before the hearing.
The movant must bring to the hearing the following: affidavit of damages, a prepared journal entry, and a copy of the letter sent regular and certified mail 7 days prior to the hearing date notifying all parties of the hearing and that failure to appear will result in judgment against them.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Default Judgment
Trial briefs must be served and filed at least seven days before trial.
Trial briefs shall be delivered seven (7) days before trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Trial Briefs
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Counsel must provide the Court with a courtesy copy whenever a motion is filed.
When a motion is filed, counsel is required to provide the Court with a courtesy copy of the motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
The Court will hear merits oral argument if requested; otherwise, it will schedule oral hearings as it deems appropriate.
If requested, the Court will hear oral arguments on the merits of the motion. Otherwise, the Court will schedule oral hearings as it sees fit.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Parties are encouraged, but not required, to resolve discovery disputes themselves before filing a motion.
The parties are encouraged to settle any discovery dispute amongst themselves before filling a motion with the court (motions to compel, motions for a protective order, etc.)
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances and extensions are granted only when good cause is shown.
Continuances and extensions may be granted only for good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Civil Case Management Order
Extensions of court-ordered deadlines should be requested by joint or unopposed motion when possible.
Extensions of court-ordered deadlines may be requested by motion, preferably in the form of a joint or unopposed motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Civil Case Management Order
Before filing an extension motion, counsel must consult opposing counsel and state that position in the motion.
Prior to filing a motion seeking an extension, you are required to consult with your opposing counsel and state in your motion your opposing counsel's position on the extension request.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Civil Case Management Order