Court Rules
Judge Richard A. Bell
Judge

Judge Richard A. Bell

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Exhibits

  • On Trial Day

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Reason For Request
Reason For Request
7Court Daysnotice
30Court Daysnotice

Communication

Phone

Chambers

216-443-8581
Scheduling
Phone

Chambers

216-443-8736
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

Technical Issues
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each business day

No matching rules in this section

This judge does not list rules for this section yet.

Filing & Service rules

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Motions in limine must be filed 28 days before trial, and responses must be served within 14 days after service of the motion.

Motions in limine are due twenty-eight (28) days prior to the start of trial and responses must be served within fourteen (14) days after service of the motions.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Motions in Limine

The parties must provide the listed proposed or agreed trial materials to the court no later than 14 days before trial.

No later than fourteen (14) days before the trial date, the court must receive from the parties proposed/agreed jury instructions, jury interrogatories, jury verdict forms, trial briefs, witness lists, and stipulations.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Trials

Within two business days after objections are filed, counsel must either file a brief supporting use of the deposition testimony or indicate agreement to delete the objected-to portion.

Counsel proposing to use the deposition testimony shall file a brief in support within two (2) business days after the objections are filed or indicate an agreement to delete the portion for which there is an objection.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Trials

Plaintiff must communicate its demand to defendant at least 14 days before the final pretrial conference.

Plaintiff shall communicate a demand to the defendant at least fourteen (14) days prior to the final pretrial conference.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Final Pretrials

Objections to testimonial depositions requiring a court ruling must be submitted to the court at least three business days before trial.

Objections to testimonial depositions that require rulings from the court are to be given to the court at least three (3) business days before the scheduled trial date.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Trials

The parties must exchange proposed exhibits seven days before trial.

The parties are also to exchange proposed exhibits seven (7) days prior to trial.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Trials

Responses to motions in limine must be served within 14 days after service of the motion.

Responses must be served within fourteen (14) days after service of the motions.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Motions in Limine

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Plaintiff must notify all opposing parties of the default hearing by regular and certified mail at least 14 days before the hearing.

Plaintiff to notify all parties against whom default judgment is sought of the time and date of the default hearing by regular and certified mail at least fourteen (14) days prior to the default hearing date.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Motions for Default Judgment

If the contract and current records show different defendant addresses, plaintiff should send notice of the default hearing to both known addresses.

If the underlying contract from which the complaint originates and plaintiff’s current records reflect different addresses for the defendant, the court requests plaintiff send notice of the scheduled default hearing to both known addresses.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Motions for Default Judgment

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Parties should provide courtesy copies of all trial exhibits on the trial date and place the trial exhibits in a binder.

Parties should provide the court with courtesy copies of all exhibits on the day of the trial; trial exhibits should be contained in a binder.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Trials

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Before filing a Motion to Compel, parties must contact the court if their efforts to resolve the discovery dispute were unsuccessful.

If those attempts are unsuccessful, the parties shall contact the court prior to filing a Motion to Compel to help timely resolve any issues.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Discovery Disputes

Parties must confer before filing a nondispositive motion and should indicate their agreement where possible.

Parties are to confer regarding non-dispositive motions before filing and indicate the parties' agreement where possible.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Motions

For motions other than summary judgment or motions in limine, the opposition brief is due 14 days after filing and the reply brief is due seven days after the opposition brief.

A Brief in Opposition is due fourteen (14) days after the filing of a Motion. A Reply Brief is due seven (7) days after the filing of a Brief in Opposition.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Any Motions other than a Motion for Summary Judgment or Motion in Limine

For a motion for summary judgment, the opposition brief is due 28 days after filing and the reply brief is due seven days after the opposition brief, without leave of court.

A Brief in Opposition is due twenty-eight (28) days after the filing of a Motion for Summary Judgment. A Reply Brief is due within seven (7) days after the filing of the Brief in Opposition. No leave of court is required when filing a Reply Brief.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Motions for Summary Judgment

No reply brief is permitted for motions in limine.

No Reply shall be permitted.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Motions in Limine

Chambers Communication Rules

All parties must contact the court at the listed telephone number at the scheduled default hearing date and time.

All parties are to contact the court at 216-443-8736 at the scheduled date and time.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Motions for Default Judgment

At a case management conference conducted by telephone, plaintiff’s counsel must initiate the call with defense counsel and then include the Staff Attorney.

Plaintiff’s counsel is to initiate the telephone call with defense counsel and then conference in Judge Bell’s Staff Attorney, Kristin Brown, at 216-443-8581.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | Case Management Conferences (“CMCs”)

A party may request a telephone conference with the court by calling Judge Bell’s Staff Attorney at the listed number.

To request a telephone conference, the party should call Judge Bell’s Staff Attorney, Kristin Brown, at 216-443-8581.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | COVID-19 Update

Parties may request a settlement conference by contacting the Staff Attorney at the listed telephone number.

Parties may request a settlement conference by contacting Staff Attorney Kristin Brown at 216-443-8581.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 1 | COVID-19 Update

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 421 rules apply across Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Fees

All 126
  • Applies to
    Mediation

    No mediation fees are charged for civil cases referred to the court's dispute resolution department.

  • Applies to
    Mediation

    When a case is referred to a mediator outside the court's dispute resolution department, the parties share the mediation cost in proportions they agree upon.

  • Fee
    $66
    Applies to
    Special process server application

    Filing a Special Process Server application costs $66.00 plus any applicable Special Project Fees.

Filing Timing

All 85

  • A motion for extraordinary assigned-counsel compensation must be filed with the usual affidavit and entry requesting assigned-counsel fees.

  • A Guardian Ad Litem may request fees above the schedule by using the extraordinary-compensation procedure.

  • Assigned counsel must apply in writing for an investigator at least 30 days before trial.

Filing Requirements

All 56
  • Applies to
    Notice of appearance

    A notice of limited appearance must use the prescribed title, describe the representation’s scope and justification, and state that the limited representation was communicated to the client in writing.

  • Applies to
    Special process server application
    Must include
    local rule certificate

    An application for a standing order designating a Special Process Server must be supported by an affidavit containing the stated applicant information and agreements.

  • Applies to
    Proposed standing order

    The applicant must submit a proposed standing order with the specified caption and language designating the applicant to serve process and subpoenas for the stated one-year term or until further court order.

Adjournments

All 39

  • Mediation continuances require good cause, generally cannot be based solely on pending motions, and will not be granted unless mediation can be scheduled before the next court event.

  • If the Court cannot rule by the scheduled ruling date for any reason, the trial date must be continued for at least 60 days.

  • An automatic trial-date continuance does not apply when a party obtains an extension of the briefing schedule that requires extending the ruling date, although the Court may continue the trial date in its discretion.

More categories

View all Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division rules
About Judge Richard A. Bell

- On the Common Pleas bench since: December 2020 - Admitted to the bar: 1989 - Legal experience: Law Clerk for Federal Public Defender Law Clerk for Robert Dixon Criminal Defense Attorney Staff Attorney Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Cuyahoga County Supervisor of General Felony Unit, Diversion Unit, Major Trial Unit, Child Abuse Unit, and Elder Protection Unit Chief over Community Based Prosecution Unit, Mortgage Fraud Task Force, Grand Jury Unit, Economic Crime Unit Special Investigations Division Chief Cold Case Unit Rape Kit Task Force, Human Trafficking, and Internet Crimes Against Children Units Developed Risk Assessment Tool and advocated for Bail Reform Created the Cold Case G.O.L.D. Unit

- Courtroom: 21-D - Courthouse: 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 - Fax: 216-348-4033 - Bailiff: Maria L. Beni (216) 443-8736 - Staff attorney: Michael Davenport (216) 443-8581

Common questions about Judge Richard A. Bell's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Richard A. Bell?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for exhibits. Details: delivery on trial day. Parties should provide courtesy copies of all trial exhibits on the trial date and place the trial exhibits in a binder.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Trials

Does Judge Richard A. Bell require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Richard A. Bell's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. For a motion for summary judgment, the opposition brief is due 28 days after filing and the reply brief is due seven days after the opposition brief, without leave of court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motions for Summary Judgment

How may parties contact Judge Richard A. Bell's chambers?

The rule addresses phone communications with Judge Richard A. Bell's chambers. The rule lists phone 216-443-8736. All parties must contact the court at the listed telephone number at the scheduled default hearing date and time.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motions for Default Judgment

What filing deadlines does Judge Richard A. Bell set?

Plaintiff must communicate its demand to defendant at least 14 days before the final pretrial conference.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Final Pretrials

What rule applies to service for notice of default hearing before Judge Richard A. Bell?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: service by mail, recipient: the opposing party, timing: before hearing. Plaintiff must notify all opposing parties of the default hearing by regular and certified mail at least 14 days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motions for Default Judgment
Complete rules summary for Judge Richard A. Bell

A party may request a telephone conference with the court by calling Judge Bell’s Staff Attorney at the listed number.

Parties may request a settlement conference by contacting the Staff Attorney at the listed telephone number.

At a case management conference conducted by telephone, plaintiff’s counsel must initiate the call with defense counsel and then include the Staff Attorney.

Before filing a Motion to Compel, parties must contact the court if their efforts to resolve the discovery dispute were unsuccessful.

Plaintiff must communicate its demand to defendant at least 14 days before the final pretrial conference.

The parties must provide the listed proposed or agreed trial materials to the court no later than 14 days before trial.

The parties must exchange proposed exhibits seven days before trial.

Parties should provide courtesy copies of all trial exhibits on the trial date and place the trial exhibits in a binder.

Objections to testimonial depositions requiring a court ruling must be submitted to the court at least three business days before trial.

Within two business days after objections are filed, counsel must either file a brief supporting use of the deposition testimony or indicate agreement to delete the objected-to portion.

Parties must confer before filing a nondispositive motion and should indicate their agreement where possible.

For a motion for summary judgment, the opposition brief is due 28 days after filing and the reply brief is due seven days after the opposition brief, without leave of court.

Motions in limine must be filed 28 days before trial, and responses must be served within 14 days after service of the motion.

Responses to motions in limine must be served within 14 days after service of the motion.

No reply brief is permitted for motions in limine.

For motions other than summary judgment or motions in limine, the opposition brief is due 14 days after filing and the reply brief is due seven days after the opposition brief.

Plaintiff must notify all opposing parties of the default hearing by regular and certified mail at least 14 days before the hearing.

If the contract and current records show different defendant addresses, plaintiff should send notice of the default hearing to both known addresses.

All parties must contact the court at the listed telephone number at the scheduled default hearing date and time.

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