Summit County Court of Common Pleas, General Division Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

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A pretrial conference is required in every civil case unless the assigned judge dispenses with it by order or permits an agreed statement in its place; trial scheduling must then be provided for.

A pretrial conference shall be held in every civil case filed, unless: (1) the assigned judge enters an order dispensing with said conference; or (2) said judge permits an agreed statement of counsel in lieu of said pretrial conference. Upon entry of such order or agreed statement dispensing with the pretrial conference, provision shall be made for scheduling the case for trial.

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

Counsel who will actually handle the trial of a case shall attend all pretrial conferences unless excused by the judge.

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All parties must attend the pretrial conference unless excused by the judge.

All parties must be present at the pretrial conference unless excused by the judge.

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When a claim is at least partly covered by insurance, an authorized representative of the insurer must attend the pretrial conference unless the judge orders otherwise.

If a claim for relief by any party is covered in whole or in part by insurance, a representative of the insurance company or carrier authorized to handle the claim(s) for relief in controversy must be present at the pretrial conference, unless otherwise ordered by the judge.

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The judge must assign a firm trial date at the initial pretrial conference.

At the initial pretrial conference, the judge shall assign a firm trial date.

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Civil cases

After the conference or any hearing, the Court must set a briefing schedule under Rule 19.03.

After such conference or hearing, the Court shall set a schedule for the submission of briefs as provided in Rule 19.03.

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A summary-judgment opposition with permitted evidence may be filed within 14 days after service, and the movant may reply within 10 days after service of the opposition.

A party opposing a motion for summary judgment made pursuant to Civil Rule 56 may file a brief in opposition with accompanying evidentiary materials (as permitted by Civil Rule 56(C) within fourteen (14) days of service of the motion. The movant may file a reply brief in support of the motion within ten (10) days of service of the brief in opposition.

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Opposing counsel must file a response stating the grounds relied upon within 10 days after receiving a motion, except a summary-judgment motion.

Within ten (10) days after receipt of a copy of a motion, except a motion for summary judgment, opposing counsel shall prepare and file a response to the motion setting forth statements relied upon in opposition.

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The Court may award judgment to the plaintiff if the defendant is not ready for trial.

If the defendant is not ready for trial, a judgment may be awarded to plaintiff.

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Attorneys should be prepared to address the listed trial-preparation, discovery, evidentiary, settlement, and case-management matters at the pretrial conference, including the stated witness-disclosure caveat and authorities deadline.

At the pretrial conference, attorneys for all parties should be prepared to: (1) discuss factual and legal theories of the case; (2) discuss necessity or desirability of amendments to any pleadings or the filing of any additional pleadings; (3) discuss simplification of issues; (4) make admissions as to facts and genuineness of documents and other exhibits not in dispute; (5) eliminate parties unnecessary to the case; (6) give names of witnesses whom they intend to call at trial, together with a statement of the general nature of the testimony of each witness; if the Court so orders, counsel shall not be permitted to call additional witnesses at trial, except rebuttal witnesses, unless the names and addresses of said witnesses and the general nature of their testimony are furnished, in writing, to opposing counsel of record within a reasonable time prior to trial; (7) give names, addresses and area(s) of expertise of any anticipated expert witnesses; (8) exchange reports of any expert witnesses expected to be called upon to testify at trial; (9) discuss limitations on the number of expert witnesses; (10) provide a list of exhibits to be introduced at trial, and, if required by the judge, produce the exhibits for examination by the judge or parties; (11) furnish an itemized list of special damages and expenses, and a full description of the nature if any injuries for which compensation is claimed; (12) exchange medical reports and hospital records; (13) produce information relative to insurance agreements in accordance with Civ.R. 26(B)(2); (14) discuss necessity of supplementing interrogatory answers or other previous discovery; (15) discuss procedures and time limitations for completion of any additional discovery; (16) discuss whether a view of the premises is appropriate or necessary; (17) discuss possibility of consolidation of cases for trial; (18) consider the possibility of separation of issues, if any, for determination by or to the judge or the jury, and separate determination of the issues of liability and damages; (19) submit and consider authorities on unique or controverted issues, or guarantee their submittal at least two (2) working days prior to trial; (20) fully explore and be authorized to conclude settlement; and, (21) discuss any other matters that may expedite the trial or disposition of the case.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

At the judge’s discretion, failures to appear, attorney unpreparedness, or lack of good-faith cooperation at a pretrial conference may result in Civ.R. 37 sanctions, including expenses or attorney fees.

Failure of any attorney or party to appear at a pretrial conference, failure of an attorney to be prepared, and/or failure of any party to cooperate in good faith in the conduct of the pretrial conference, shall render said attorney or party, subject to sanctions as provided by Civ.R. 37, at the judge's discretion. Such sanctions may include an award of expenses and/or attorney fees to any party prejudiced by said failure and any other appropriate sanctions ordered by the Court.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026WARNING

The Court may dismiss a case without prejudice if it determines that the plaintiff is not ready for trial.

If, in the Court's opinion, the plaintiff is not ready to proceed with trial, the case may be dismissed without prejudice by the Court.

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Civil cases

The additional-evidence procedure does not apply to unemployment compensation appeals; the Court may review only the certified record provided by the Review Commission.

This section does not apply to unemployment compensation appeals, as RC 4141.282(H) provides that the only evidence the Court is permitted to review is the certified record provided by the Unemployment Compensation Review Commission.

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Counsel may request oral argument on any motion, but the assigned judge decides whether to grant it.

Counsel may request oral argument on any motion. However, the granting of such oral argument will be at the sole discretion of the assigned judge.

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The assigned judge may rule on a motion after 14 days from filing, or earlier when the interest of justice requires.

At any time after fourteen (14) days from the date of filing of the motion, the assigned judge may rule upon the motion. In the interest of justice, the assigned judge may enter a ruling at an earlier date if so required.

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Unless the Court orders otherwise, summary-judgment motions are decided on briefs and permitted evidence without oral argument.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, motions for summary judgment shall be heard on briefs and accompanying evidentiary materials (as permitted by Civil Rule 56(C) without oral argument.

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A party whose claim for relief against them is fully insured need not attend the pretrial conference unless the Court orders otherwise.

If a claim for relief against any party is fully covered by insurance, that party's presence at the pretrial conference is not required unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

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The judge may decide or consider for decision any motion pending when the pretrial conference occurs.

The judge may decide or take under consideration for decision, any motions pending in the case at the time of the pretrial conference.

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Civil cases

The Court may grant a hearing for oral argument if a party requests one.

The Court may grant a hearing for oral arguments, if requested.

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Civil cases

The Court shall set such cases for conference in order to determine whether additional evidence is required, and to schedule a hearing, if necessary.

Summary: The Court must set cases involving potential additional evidence for a conference to determine whether additional evidence is required and to schedule a hearing if necessary.