Summit County Court of Common Pleas, General Division Filing Rules

An e-filed document requiring the attorney's or filing party's signature must use the conformed signature format “/s/ [name].”

A motion to appear virtually must be filed by noon three days before the hearing and should explain why virtual attendance preserves the proceedings’ integrity and what circumstances necessitate the request.

Upon acceptance, a submission is deemed filed and receives an electronic stamp showing the date and time it was submitted to the eFile system.

Motions in limine are due 28 days before trial.

Motions to appear virtually must be filed no later than noon three days before the scheduled hearing.

For the specified frivolous-conduct proceedings, the Court must give notice to all parties, hold a hearing, and decide within 60 days of judgment whenever possible unless the Court and parties agree otherwise.

For legal advertising other than Sheriff's Sales, the publisher bills the attorney or other responsible person directly.

Trial counsel must attend every pretrial conference unless excused by the judge.

If discovery issues arise, counsel must contact the court before filing a motion to compel.

A continuance after a trial date is assigned requires good cause before the assigned judge; the Administrative Judge may consider it only in the specified unavailability and imminent-trial emergency circumstances.

Mutually agreed extensions are favored, but extensions and continuances require motions.

The Clerk may refuse a document that contains personal information not redacted or submitted as required.

Self-represented parties who are not registered e-filing users may file on paper in person or by U.S. Mail.

Papers must use 8½-by-11-inch paper and include the case style and number, assigned judge, case type, pleading description, and other information required by Ohio rules.

If a case set for trial settles, trial counsel must immediately notify the Court and file a Stipulation of Dismissal or other appropriate entry as provided by the rules.

For difficulties with Zoom, users may contact the judicial assistant by phone or email.

Fourteen days before trial, provide and/or file jury instructions, witness lists, and exhibits with the court and provide courtesy copies to opposing counsel and the court.

A courtesy copy of the dismissal must be provided to the mediator when copies are exchanged following a pre-conference settlement.