Court Rules
Judge Steven E. Gall
Judge

Judge Steven E. Gall

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Filings > 25 pages

Adjournments

  • A discovery extension may be granted when requested timely and supported by good cause.
  • A continuance or extension may be granted when good cause is shown.
  • Before filing an extension motion, counsel should consult the opponent and state the opponent's position and proposed continuance dates in the motion.

Request must include

Reason For RequestAdversary PositionProposed New Dates

Communication

Email
cpdmt@cuyahogacounty.us
Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

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

Document Format Requirements1 rule

FormattingCivil cases

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

The parties must exchange and mark all exhibits before trial, with plaintiffs using numbers and defendants using letters.

The parties shall exchange and mark all exhibits prior to the commencement of trial. Plaintiffs shall mark their exhibits using numbers; defendants shall mark their exhibits using letters.

Cuyahoga Oh:f1752191d9554ccb890f1cf8|SecExhibit Lists

Document Filing Requirements4 rules

Filing RequirementsCivil cases

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

Every party must serve and file a trial brief containing the specified factual, legal, witness, stipulation, trial-planning, motion, and equipment information.

All parties are required to serve and file a trial brief which shall contain a statement of facts and legal issues, statement of real factual and legal issues in dispute, stipulations, list of non-expert trial witnesses with a brief summary of expected testimony, list of expert trial witnesses with reports attached, special legal problems anticipated, estimated length of trial, pretrial motions contemplated, special equipment needs for trial.

Document Type

Trial Brief

Content & Formatting
Statement Of Facts
Cuyahoga Oh:f1752191d9554ccb890f1cf8|SecTrial Briefs
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

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

The parties must prepare a stipulated statement of the case for the court to read to the jury during preliminary instructions.

Parties shall prepare a stipulated statement of the case for the Court to read to the jury during its preliminary charge.

Document Type

Stipulated Statement Of Case

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Cuyahoga Oh:f1752191d9554ccb890f1cf8|SecStipulated Statement of the Case
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

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

A movant for default judgment must submit an affidavit of damages, a prepared journal entry, and proof of a hearing notice mailed to all parties at least seven days before the hearing.

The movant must submit to the Court 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

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Cuyahoga Oh:f1752191d9554ccb890f1cf8|SecDefault Hearings
Filing RequirementsCivil cases

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?

Proposed jury instructions shall be filed with the trial brief of the parties. The instructions agreed upon by all counsel shall be identified. Disputed instructions shall also be identified, along with separate citations to legal authority for each instruction.

Summary: Proposed jury instructions must accompany the trial brief, with agreed and disputed instructions identified and separate legal citations supplied for disputed instructions.

Document Type

Jury Instructions

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Cuyahoga Oh:f1752191d9554ccb890f1cf8|SecJury Instructions, Interrogatories and Verdict Forms

Filing & Service rules

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

A motion in limine must be filed seven days before trial.

Motions in Limine: Motions in Limine must be filed 7 days prior to trial.

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

Page 1 | Motions in Limine

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Every party must serve a trial brief and file it with the court.

All parties are required to serve and file a trial brief which shall contain a statement of facts and legal issues, statement of real factual and legal issues in dispute, stipulations, list of non-expert trial witnesses with a brief summary of expected testimony, list of expert trial witnesses with reports attached, special legal problems anticipated, estimated length of trial, pretrial motions contemplated, special equipment needs for trial.

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

Page 1 | Trial Briefs

The movant must cause a notice of the default hearing and the consequence of nonappearance to be sent to all parties by regular and certified mail seven days before the hearing.

The movant must submit to the Court 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 against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases

Page 1 | Default Hearings

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court for every motion exceeding 25 pages.

Courtesy copies shall be delivered to the Court for all motions over 25 pages.

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

Page 1 | Courtesy Copies

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

A discovery extension may be granted when requested timely and supported by good cause.

Extensions will be granted if timely and for good cause shown.

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

Page 1 | Discovery Schedule

Before filing an extension motion, counsel should consult the opponent and state the opponent's position and proposed continuance dates in the motion.

Prior to filing a motion seeking an extension, please consult with your opposing counsel and state in your motion your opposing counsel's position on the extension request and potential continuance dates.

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

Page 1 | Calendaring and Continuances

A continuance or extension may be granted when good cause is shown.

Continuances and extensions may be granted for good cause shown.

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

Page 1 | Calendaring and Continuances

Chambers Communication Rules

Parties must submit agreed-upon jury instructions electronically to the staff attorney at cpdmt@cuyahogacounty.us.

Parties are to submit the agreed upon instructions to the staff attorney in electronic form to: cpdmt@cuyahogacounty.us.

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

Page 1 | Jury Instructions, Interrogatories and Verdict Forms

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 Steven E. Gall

- On the Common Pleas bench since: December 2012 - Admitted to the bar: 1991 - Legal experience: Asst. Brunswick and Strongsville City Prosecutor, 1991-1987; Private practice of law, 1991-1999, Cuyahoga County Asst. Prosecuting Attorney, 1999-2012 (Major Trial Unit)

- Courtroom: 23-D - Courthouse: 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 - Fax: (216) 348-4031 - Bailiff: Ronald O. Brown (216) 443-8758 - Staff attorney: Matthew Rich (216) 443-8610

Common questions about Judge Steven E. Gall's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Steven E. Gall?

Courtesy-copy rule applies when a filing is > 25 pages. Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court for every motion exceeding 25 pages.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Courtesy Copies

What must be included with default judgment filings before Judge Steven E. Gall?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A movant for default judgment must submit an affidavit of damages, a prepared journal entry, and proof of a hearing notice mailed to all parties at least seven days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Default Hearings

What must be included with trial brief filings before Judge Steven E. Gall?

The rule requires statement of facts. Every party must serve and file a trial brief containing the specified factual, legal, witness, stipulation, trial-planning, motion, and equipment information.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Trial Briefs

How may parties contact Judge Steven E. Gall's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications. The rule lists email cpdmt@cuyahogacounty.us. Parties must submit agreed-upon jury instructions electronically to the staff attorney at cpdmt@cuyahogacounty.us.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Jury Instructions, Interrogatories and Verdict Forms

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Steven E. Gall?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. A discovery extension may be granted when requested timely and supported by good cause.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Discovery Schedule

What filing deadlines apply to motion in limine filings before Judge Steven E. Gall?

A motion in limine must be filed seven days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motions in Limine

What rule applies to service for default hearing notice before Judge Steven E. Gall?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: service by mail, recipient: all parties, timing: before hearing. The movant must cause a notice of the default hearing and the consequence of nonappearance to be sent to all parties by regular and certified mail seven days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Default Hearings
Complete rules summary for Judge Steven E. Gall

Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court for every motion exceeding 25 pages.

A discovery extension may be granted when requested timely and supported by good cause.

A continuance or extension may be granted when good cause is shown.

Before filing an extension motion, counsel should consult the opponent and state the opponent's position and proposed continuance dates in the motion.

A movant for default judgment must submit an affidavit of damages, a prepared journal entry, and proof of a hearing notice mailed to all parties at least seven days before the hearing.

The movant must cause a notice of the default hearing and the consequence of nonappearance to be sent to all parties by regular and certified mail seven days before the hearing.

A motion in limine must be filed seven days before trial.

Every party must serve and file a trial brief containing the specified factual, legal, witness, stipulation, trial-planning, motion, and equipment information.

Every party must serve a trial brief and file it with the court.

The parties must exchange and mark all exhibits before trial, with plaintiffs using numbers and defendants using letters.

The parties must prepare a stipulated statement of the case for the court to read to the jury during preliminary instructions.

Proposed jury instructions must accompany the trial brief, with agreed and disputed instructions identified and separate legal citations supplied for disputed instructions.

Parties must submit agreed-upon jury instructions electronically to the staff attorney at cpdmt@cuyahogacounty.us.

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