Champaign County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Adjournments
- By agreement of counsel, a party may receive two leaves to plead or move totaling no more than 28 days, evidenced by a signed Consent to Plead / Move filed with the Clerk without court approval.
- A party seeking an extension beyond the Consent to Plead / Move period, or unable to obtain agreement, must file a good-cause motion by the applicable deadline; a motion is required even with opposing counsel's consent when the extension exceeds the preceding limit.
- A trial continuance motion must be written, state the reason for the continuance, include written client endorsement, and state whether opposing counsel objects or consents, but the client-consent requirement may be waived for good cause if the motion explains why consent could not be obtained.
- +3 more
Request must include
- After mediation is scheduled, any continuance must be obtained from the mediator at least two business days before the scheduled date.
Communication
Clerk
Page & Word Limits2 rules
Supporting and opposing memoranda, including administrative appeals, are limited to 20 pages, excluding supporting documents, unless the Court grants prior leave.
- Brief
- Up to 20 pages
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Court's wording
(A) A supporting or opposing memorandum to a motion or brief, including administrative appeals, shall not exceed twenty (20) pages exclusive of any supporting documents. The Clerk shall not accept for filing any supporting or opposing memorandum or brief which exceeds twenty (20) pages without prior leave of the Court.
Reply memoranda and briefs, including administrative appeals, are limited to 10 pages and must address matters in rebuttal unless the Court grants prior leave.
Court's wording
(B) A reply memorandum or brief, including administrative appeals, shall not exceed ten (10) pages and shall be restricted to matters in rebuttal. The Clerk shall not accept for filing any reply memorandum or brief which exceeds ten (10) pages without prior leave of Court.
Document Format Requirements9 rules
(B) All pleadings and motions shall be typewritten or printed, double spaced, on 8 ½ by 11 paper, paginated sequentially in at least 12 point type and filed without backing or cover. Exhibits are exempted from this requirement.
- Font size
- At least 12 points
- Line spacing
- Double
- Paper size
- Letter
- Pleading
- Motion
Formatting
- •Typewritten or printed
- •At least 12 point type
- •Sequentially paginated
- •Filed without backing or cover
- •Exhibits are exempted
(A) Original documents to be filed with the Clerk of Courts shall not be stapled.
Proposed orders and entries (or other documents requiring a judge's or magistrate’s signature) shall reference the specific motion to which they apply, and shall be filed in Microsoft Word document format, and shall not contain any mail merge fields or macros embedded in the documents.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
- Entry
Formatting
- •The document must reference the specific motion to which it applies
- •The document must not contain embedded mail merge fields or macros
All documents submitted for filing, with the exception of proposed orders and entries (or other documents requiring a judge's or magistrate’s signature) shall be filed in Portable Document Format (PDF). Such documents may either be signed by hand and scanned- in or they may be signed electronically as set forth in this Rule.
- File type
- Document
A document bearing a nonparty third-party signature must be electronically submitted as a hand-signed, scanned PDF.
- File type
- Affidavit
- Military affidavit
Formatting
- •Must be hand-signed and scanned in
Court's wording
(c) Third-Party Signatures. A document containing the signature of a third party, who is not a party to the action (i.e., affidavit signed by a doctor, military affidavit signed by a staff member or company representative, etc.), shall be electronically submitted only as a hand-signed, scanned-in PDF document.
Large-sized trial or hearing displays must be submitted on letter-size paper or photographed before the proceedings.
- Paper size
- Letter
- Exhibits
Court's wording
Consistent with Sup.R. 26(D), poster boards or other large-sized displays to be used as exhibits in a trial or hearing must be submitted on 8 ½ x 11 inch paper or photographed by the party / attorney prior to the proceedings.
(H) All motions, memoranda contra and replies shall be titled in the following manner:
In cases involving heavy motion practice, the Court may require plaintiff motions to be sequentially numbered, defendant motions to be sequentially lettered, and responsive memoranda to reference the corresponding motion identifier.
- Motion
- Opposition
Formatting
- •Reference the corresponding motion number or letter in the responsive memorandum
Court's wording
(D) In cases consisting of heavy motion practice, the Court may, at any time and in its discretion, order parties to number and letter its motions as follows: the Plaintiff shall title each motion with a sequential number within the body of the motion title (ex. Plaintiff’s Motion #1 Seeking…), and the Defendant shall file any response making reference to that motion number (ex. Defendant’s Memorandum in Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion #1 Seeking…). Likewise, the Defendant shall title each motion with a sequential letter within the body of the motion title (ex. Defendant’s Motion #A Seeking…), and the Plaintiff shall file any response making reference to that motion number (ex. Plaintiff’s Memorandum in Opposition to Defendant’s Motion #A Seeking…).
(A) The APA Parole / Probation Officer shall file with the Clerk any community control violation complaint in a format approved by the Court.
- Community control violation complaint
Formatting
- •The complaint must be in a format approved by the Court
Document Filing Requirements33 rules
(D) The Clerk shall accept no document for filing unless it is properly captioned setting forth the name of the court, the title of the action, the case number and the request for action.
- Document
- Document
- Placement
- Caption
Must include
- •Case number
An electronically submitted document requiring an attorney's or submitter's signature, unless it is a hand-signed PDF, must use the conformed signature format "/s/ (name)."
- Document
- E-filed document
- Placement
- Signature block
Court's wording
Submitter's Signature. Any document submitted electronically with the Clerk that requires an attorney's or a submitter's signature (other than hand-signed documents scanned in PDF format) shall be signed with a conformed signature of "/s/ (name)." The correct format for an attorney's signature is as follows:
(i) The submitting party or attorney shall sign the stipulation or document himself or herself as follows: "/s/ John Smith."
- Document
- Stipulation or document
Must include
- •/s/ John Smith
Every e-filer must include a signed certificate of service on the document using substantially the prescribed language.
- Document
- E-filed document
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Court's wording
All e-filers must also include on their documents a certificate of service signed in accordance with the Civil Rules or the Criminal Rules, and these Local Rules. The certificate of service must contain substantially the following language: “I hereby certify that on [date], [document title] was served through the Court’s Electronic Filing Service or by ordinary U.S. mail.”
(A) An attorney desiring to withdraw from representation of a client shall file a motion to withdraw stating the reasons for the withdrawal. The motion shall include the last current address and telephone number of the client and a certification by the attorney that the following conditions have been met:
Pretrial Statements shall, where applicable, contain the following information:
(E) Written reports of expert witnesses are not to be filed with the Court, unless for use as evidence or consideration of motion in the proceedings. The party serving the expert report shall file a certificate of service.
- Document
- Expert report
Must include
- •Certificate of service
(A) All motions shall be accompanied by a memorandum stating the grounds thereof and citing the authorities relied upon. (B) This rule does not apply to court-discretionary motions which include, but are not limited to, Motions for Leave to Plead, Motions for Extensions of Time and Motions to Continue.
(B) Original evidentiary materials as permitted by Civ.R. 56(C) shall be filed with the Clerk with the original motion.
When a written expert report cannot be obtained, counsel or the pro-se litigant must document a good-faith effort and provide specified expert information to the Court and other side, and the Court may exclude the testimony absent good cause.
Court's wording
(D) If a party is unable to obtain a written report from an expert, counsel or the pro-se litigant must demonstrate that a good faith effort was made to obtain the report and must advise the Court and opposing counsel or the pro-se litigant of the name and address of the expert, the subject of the expert’s expertise, together with the expert’s qualifications, and a detailed summary of the expert’s testimony. The Court shall have the authority to nonetheless exclude testimony of the expert if good cause is not determined for the absence of the report.
(A) A party seeking default judgment pursuant to Civ.R. 55 shall include with the motion an affidavit of an individual with personal knowledge containing sufficient facts to support the claim.
When a bankruptcy proceeding results in a stay of this Court's proceedings, counsel must file written notice of bankruptcy and submit a stay order.
Court's wording
If any party files a proceeding in the United States Bankruptcy Court which results in a stay of this Court’s proceedings, counsel shall file with the Court a written notice of bankruptcy and submit an order staying proceedings as provided by the provisions of 11 U.S.C. 362.
(B) An affidavit confirming that the defendant is not a minor or incompetent person, and that the moving party has complied with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. § 3901 et seq., or any amendments to any of this act shall also accompany the motion.
Counsel shall immediately notify the Court in writing of any action of the Bankruptcy Court which would permit the Court to proceed with the case.
A plaintiff’s dispositive motion in a foreclosure action must include a proposed Judgment and Decree with an accurate property description, and the court will not consider the motion without it.
- Document
- Dispositive motion
Must include
- •Proposed order
Court's wording
A proposed Judgment and Decree in Foreclosure shall accompany any dispositive motion filed by the Plaintiff in a foreclosure action. The proposed entry shall include an accurate description of the subject real property. The Court will not consider a dispositive motion filed by the Plaintiff, unless and until a proposed entry conforming to this requirement are provided to the Court.
Within 14 days after filing a foreclosure or marshalling-of-liens complaint, the plaintiff must obtain and file an effective preliminary judicial report prepared by an unaffiliated title company.
Court's wording
Pursuant to R.C. 2329.191, within fourteen (14) days of filing its complaint for the foreclosure or marshalling of liens, plaintiff shall procure and file with the Clerk a preliminary judicial report, effective within (30) days prior to the filing of its complaint, prepared by a title company not associated with any party or counsel of a party.
Before judgment is rendered or a sale is ordered, the plaintiff must file a final judicial report updating record title, including docket information and bearing the specified certification.
Court's wording
Prior to a judgment being rendered or sale being ordered, plaintiff shall file with the Clerk a final judicial report that updates the state of the record title, includes relevant information from the Court’s docket, and bears a certification clearly stating that “All necessary parties are properly before the Court, and all proceedings are in conformity to the applicable law and Civil Rules.”
If loss mitigation efforts prove successful, the Plaintiff shall promptly file a Civ.R. 60(B) motion to vacate the Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure.
A motion for confirmation of sale must include a proposed confirmation entry containing a complete description of the real property, or the court will not consider the motion.
Court's wording
All motions requesting a Confirmation of Sale shall be accompanied by a proposed Confirmation Entry. Said entry shall include a complete property description of the subject real property. The Court will not consider the motion, unless and until a proposed entry conforming to this requirement are provided to the Court.
(a) Mediation statements shall be provided to the Mediator three days prior to the mediation. The statement shall set forth the facts, the disputed issues of fact or law, and the amounts and type of insurance coverage available. Said statement shall be served upon opposing counsel prior to the Mediation Conference.
(C) An Affidavit of Indigency shall be completed by each Indigent Defendant in order for Court-Appointed Counsel to be compensated. Failure to complete such Affidavit shall result in the non-payment of any Court-Appointed Counsel fees submitted.
Appointed counsel must submit the prescribed fee motion, entry, certification, and Affidavit of Indigency to Court Staff within 30 days after final termination or disposition.
Court's wording
(D) Counsel appointed to represent an Indigent Defendant shall submit a Motion, Entry and Certification for Appointed Counsel Fees, as prescribed by the Ohio Public Defender’s Office, together with the Affidavit of Indigency, to Court Staff within thirty (30) days after final termination or disposition of the case.
All motions, other than those made at trial, shall be made in writing and, except for motions for discovery and requests for bills of particulars, shall be accompanied by a memorandum stating the grounds thereof and citing the authorities relied upon.
(B) The Complaint shall be sworn before the Clerk, under oath.
Before filing a community control violation complaint or supervision-extension request alleging unpaid costs, fines, or restitution, the APA officer must obtain the specific amounts owed from the Clerk and clearly note them on the filing.
Court's wording
(A) If an APA Parole / Probation Officer alleges, through a community control violation complaint or a request to extend supervision period of community control, that the Defendant has not satisfied court-ordered financial obligations, the APA Parole / Probation Officer shall obtain a breakdown of the specific amount(s) owed toward costs, fines, and restitution from the Clerk before filing the said complaint or request for extension with the Court. (B) The breakdown of specific amount(s) owed shall be clearly noted on the community control violation complaint or request for extension of community control.
(1) Any non-pro-se litigants shall denote their applicable Ohio Supreme Court attorney registration number in the signature block.
- Placement
- Signature block
(F) When a new party plaintiff or defendant is added to a case after its commencement, the caption of subsequent pleadings shall contain the name and address of the new party, followed by the specific designation of "new party plaintiff" or "new party defendant" as applicable.
- Document
- Subsequent pleading
- Placement
- Caption
(2) When the counsel is a firm of attorneys, the particular attorney within the firm having primary responsibility for the case and his or her Ohio Supreme Court attorney registration number shall be indicated thereon.
(G) Counsel or pro-se litigants shall file with the Clerk written notice of any change of address. The notice shall include the Ohio Supreme Court attorney registration number for each attorney.
(E) Every pleading, motion, and memorandum filed shall have typed or printed on it the name, address, telephone number, fax number, and email address of the individual filing the same.
Trial counsel and pro-se litigants must bring proposed trial exhibits and be prepared to address evidentiary issues at the Pretrial Conference.
Court's wording
At the Pretrial Conference, counsel trying the case and the pro-se litigant(s) shall be prepared to discuss all phases of their case, shall bring with them the originals or copies of exhibits proposed to be offered at trial, and be prepared to resolve all preliminary questions of evidence pursuant to Evid.R.104, including expert witness qualifications.
If written materials are to be read into evidence, copies of these materials shall be provided by the proponent to the Court and other counsel at the Pretrial Conference.
The parcel in such publication shall be described by a metes and bounds legal description if the land is in the unincorporated areas of the county. Within incorporated cities and villages, the parcel may be advertised by legal description or by listing the complete street address and the permanent parcel number where the complete description is available on a county website.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Filing by fax is prohibited.
(C) Faxed filing is not permitted.
Page 13 | Clerk of Courts, Rule 2.3 – Filings
E-filing is available in civil and criminal cases with limited exceptions, and counsel and self-represented persons must consult the Clerk's website to determine whether a case may be e-filed.
As set forth in this rule, e-Filing will be available in both civil and criminal cases, with limited exceptions. The Clerk shall maintain on the Clerk's website a list of all case types which may be e-Filed. Counsel and persons representing themselves shall consult the Clerk's website to determine whether a case may be e-Filed. All documents that are e-Filed are subject to the requirements, exceptions and limitations set forth in these rules.
Page 15 | Rule 2.5 – Electronic Filing System (“e-Filing”)
An electronically submitted document requiring multiple signatures must identify each other signatory using the stated written-authorization format.
(iii) The submitting party or attorney shall then submit the document electronically, identifying all of the other signatories as follows: "/s/ Jane Doe, per written authorization, by John Smith," etc.
Page 17 | (b) Multiple Signatures
The submitting party or attorney must affirm that all required signatories accept the document and indicate their agreement at the appropriate signature line.
(ii) The submitting party or attorney shall then include an affirmation that the contents of the document are acceptable to all persons required to sign the document. The submitter shall indicate the agreement of all other counsel and/or parties at the appropriate place in the document, usually on the signature line.
Page 17 | (b) Multiple Signatures
Court pleadings, documents, and entries may be filed in paper or electronic form, and the Clerk generally may not restrict electronic filing unless the courthouse facility completely fails to receive electronic communications.
(a) Pleadings, documents or entries of the Court may be filed with the Clerk either in paper format or in electronic format. Absent total failure of the courthouse physical facility to host or receive electronic communications, the Clerk shall not prohibit or restrict the filing of pleadings, documents or entries of the Court in electronic format.
Page 18 | (F) Availability of e-Filing -- Acceptance of Documents
Electronic filing of pleadings, documents, and court entries must use the designated online platform.
(b) The Clerk of Courts has determined that the filing of pleadings, documents or entries of the Court in electronic format shall be accomplished through the use of the designated online platform.
Page 18 | (F) Availability of e-Filing -- Acceptance of Documents
When the designated online filing platform is unavailable, the Clerk must provide an electronic-mail filing channel.
If the designated online platform is rendered unavailable for public access for any reason, the Clerk shall provide for the filing of pleadings, documents and entries of the Court through electronic mail while the designated online platform is unavailable.
Page 19 | Exceptions to e-Filing
Electronic filing is prohibited for the listed categories of complaints, judgments, sealed or in-camera documents, immediate-relief motions, miscellaneous matters, oversized or non-PDF documents, and documents containing active external hyperlinks.
The following documents may not be e-Filed: 1) Complaints filed pursuant to R.C. 2903.214 for Civil Stalking Protection Orders and/or Civil Sexually Oriented Offender Protection Orders. 2) Complaints on Cognovit Notes. 3) Complaints in Appropriations Cases. 4) Foreign Judgments. 5) Any document required to be filed under seal or in camera. 6) Motions for temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunction or other immediate relief. 7) All documents related to Judgment Liens, Certificates of Judgment, Garnishments, Writs of Possession, Foreign Sheriff Deposits, Petitions for Court-Ordered Certificate of Title, and other matters traditionally designated as miscellaneous cases. 8) Exhibits, attachments, or other documents that cannot be filed as a .pdf document or exceed 10 megabytes in size. 9) Any document that contains an active hyperlink to material outside the document being filed.
Page 20 | Exceptions to e-Filing
Criminal indictments may be electronically filed under the local rules and must be served on defendants under the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Indictments in criminal cases may be submitted for e-Filing in compliance with these Rules and shall be served on defendants according to the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Page 17 | (E) Filing of Initial Pleadings
Under the labeled old version, electronic documents may be submitted around the clock, but filers during nonbusiness hours assume the risk of technical failure.
2) Old version: Documents may be submitted to the Clerk for e-Filing 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Parties filing after normal business hours (8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) assume the risk of technical failures that prevent e-filing of their document.
Page 18 | (F) Availability of e-Filing -- Acceptance of Documents
A conformed signature on an electronically submitted document has the effect of a legal signature.
The conformed signature on an electronically-submitted document, is deemed to constitute a legal signature on the document.
Page 17 | Electronic Filing Signatures
A judge or magistrate may sign an electronic document with a digitized signature image, which has the same effect as a conventional signature on a paper filing entered on the journal.
(d) Judge or Magistrate Signatures. Electronic documents may be signed by a judge or magistrate via a digitized image of his or her signature. All documents signed in this manner will have the same effect as if the judge or magistrate had affixed his or her signature to a paper copy of the document and it had been entered on the journal in a conventional manner.
Page 17 | (d) Judge or Magistrate Signatures
Under the labeled new version, documents may be submitted for electronic filing at any time, seven days a week.
New version: Documents may be submitted to the Clerk for e-Filing 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Page 18 | (F) Availability of e-Filing -- Acceptance of Documents
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A document is filed only when the Clerk accepts it into the case record.
"Filed" means the acceptance of a document into the record of a case.
Page 18 | (F) Availability of e-Filing -- Acceptance of Documents
A submitted document with deficiencies is rejected and remains unfiled until the deficiencies are corrected.
"Rejected Document" refers to a document containing deficiencies which has been submitted but not filed pending correction of any deficiencies.
Page 18 | (F) Availability of e-Filing -- Acceptance of Documents
An electronically submitted pleading, document, or court entry is considered filed upon submission, regardless of when the Clerk accepts it.
Any pleading, document or entry of the Court submitted in electronic format using the online platform system or electronic mail as designated by the Clerk of Courts shall Documents may be considered filed upon submission, regardless of the date the pleading, document or entry of the Court is accepted by the Clerk in the e-Filing system.
Page 19 | Effective Date of Filing
For outage-related email filings, the date and time shown on the sender's email is the submission timestamp.
Where a pleading, document or entry of the Court is filed by electronic mail as the result of the unavailability of the designated online platform, the date and time designation as displayed on the sender’s email shall be considered the timestamped date of submission.
Page 19 | Exceptions to e-Filing
A submitting party must correct all deficiencies identified in a notice within two business days.
Upon receipt of a notice of deficiencies, the submitting party shall cure or correct any deficiencies within two business days.
Page 20 | Notice of Deficiencies in Submissions
A rejected document is deemed filed upon submission if the submitting party timely corrects the deficiencies.
A rejected document will be considered filed upon submission, provided any deficiencies are corrected in a timely manner.
Page 20 | Notice of Deficiencies in Submissions
The parties must file a Pretrial Statement at least 14 days before the Pretrial Conference.
At least fourteen (14) days prior to the Pretrial Conference, the parties shall have filed a Pretrial Statement.
Page 38 | Rule 4.5 – Pretrial Conference; Contents of Pretrial Statement
The notice of appeal and a copy of the praecipe for the record must be filed with the court within the time prescribed by law for the appeal.
The Notice of Appeal filed with the officer, agency, commission, board or other entity whose final order is being appealed, together with a copy of the praecipe for the record of proceedings, shall be filed with the Court within the time prescribed by law for such appeal.
Page 45 | Rule 4.15 – Administrative Agency Appeals to the Common Pleas Court
When additional evidence is required or legally permitted, a motion to supplement the record must be filed within 14 days after filing of the record of proceedings, supported by an affidavit requesting the evidence and specifying its nature, type, and reasons.
In all appeals where the submission of additional evidence is required or permitted by law, a motion to supplement the record shall be filed within fourteen (14) days after the filing of the record of proceedings, supported by affidavit requesting the submission of additional evidence and specifying the nature and type of additional evidence to be submitted and the reasons therefor.
Page 46 | Rule 4.15(E) – Administrative Agency Appeals to the Common Pleas Court
An appellant must serve its assignments of error and brief within 20 days after the record of proceedings is filed with the clerk.
Appellant’s brief – the Appellant shall serve its assignments of error and brief within twenty (20) days after the filing of the Record of Proceedings with the Clerk;
Page 46 | Rule 4.15(C)(1) – Administrative Agency Appeals to the Common Pleas Court
After a full or partial mediation agreement, all parties must promptly create, sign, and file a Notice of Settlement within 21 days of the last mediation conference.
When a full or partial agreement is reached in mediation, a Notice of Settlement will be promptly created, signed and filed by all parties. The Notice of Settlement shall be filed within twenty-one (21) days of the last mediation conference. R.C. 2710.06
Page 48 | (G) Notice of Settlement
Upon entering the Notice of Settlement, the parties shall be responsible for creating, signing and filing a Settlement Entry of Dismissal or Joint Entry of Dismissal within forty-five (45) of the last mediation conference.
Upon entering the Notice of Settlement, the parties shall be responsible for creating, signing and filing a Settlement Entry of Dismissal or Joint Entry of Dismissal within forty-five (45) of the last mediation conference.
Page 49
Unless the court orders otherwise, a response to a motion must be filed within fourteen days after the motion was filed.
Unless modified by court order, any desired response to a motion shall be filed within fourteen (14) days after the day on which the motion was filed.
Page 56 | Rule 5.10 – Motion Practice
A motion for intervention in lieu of conviction must be filed no later than 14 days after the prosecutor’s discovery packet is received, unless good cause is shown.
(2) A motion for intervention in lieu of conviction shall be made no later than fourteen (14) days after receipt of the Prosecutor’s discovery packet, unless for good cause shown.
Page 58 | (D) Motion for Intervention in Lieu of Conviction
After arresting a person on community control for alleged violations, an APA Parole or Probation Officer must file the community control violation with the Clerk no later than five days after arrest.
(D) If an individual on community control is arrested by an APA Parole / Probation Officer regarding allegations of committing community control violations, the APA Parole / Probation Officer shall file a community control violation with the Clerk no later than five (5) days after arrest.
Page 62 | Rule 6.5 – Filing the Community Control Violation Complaint
A filing submitted through the established online platform must receive a timestamp reflecting its actual initial-submission date and time.
(c) Any pleading, document or entry of the Court submitted through the use of the established online platform shall receive a timestamp on the pleading, document or entry of the Court that reflects the actual date and time of initial submission.
Page 18 | (F) Availability of e-Filing -- Acceptance of Documents
If an electronic submission date cannot be recorded in the system, the Clerk must manually timestamp the filing with its actual submission date.
If the date of submission cannot be placed on the pleadings, documents or entries of the Court electronically, the Clerk shall manually timestamp said pleadings, documents or entries of the Court with the date of their actual submission.
Page 19 | Exceptions to e-Filing
After satisfactory proof and a showing of good cause, the court may permit a document affected by a hardware or software error to be filed nunc pro tunc to its intended filing date, but the submitting party remains responsible for ensuring proper receipt, docketing, and service.
If a submission is not received by the Clerk due to an error caused by the hardware or software of either the Clerk or the submitting party, upon satisfactory proof and for good cause shown, the Court may enter an order permitting the document to be filed nunc pro tunc to the date the submitter intended the document to be filed. Ultimately, it shall be the submitting party's responsibility to ensure all documents are properly received, docketed, and served.
Page 21 | General Division Local Rules of Court
Within 20 days after the appellant's brief is filed, an appellee may serve any desired brief and assignments of error.
Appellee’s brief – the Appellee may serve any desired brief and assignments of error within twenty (20) days after the filing of the Appellant’s brief.
Page 46 | Rule 4.15(C)(2) – Administrative Agency Appeals to the Common Pleas Court
Within 10 days after the appellee’s brief is filed, the appellant may serve any desired reply brief.
Reply brief – The Appellant may serve any desired reply brief within ten (10) days after the filing of the Appellee’s brief.
Page 46 | Rule 4.15(C)(3) – Administrative Agency Appeals to the Common Pleas Court
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A filing party submitting a complaint or other summons-requiring filing must also file service instructions, after which the Clerk issues summons and serves the filing accordingly.
When submitting any complaint, third-party complaint, or other filing requiring service of summons to the court's e-File System, the filing party shall also file instructions for service and the Clerk shall issue a summons and serve the complaint, third-party complaint, or other filing according to such instructions.
Page 17 | (E) Filing of Initial Pleadings
Criminal indictments must be served on defendants in accordance with the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Indictments in criminal cases may be submitted for e-Filing in compliance with these Rules and shall be served on defendants according to the Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Page 17 | (E) Filing of Initial Pleadings
The established online platform must immediately deliver electronically submitted filings to parties of record when the filing is submitted to the Clerk.
(d) The established online platform shall be implemented to immediately deliver the submitted pleading, document or entry of the Court to parties of record at the point of submission to the Clerk.
Page 18 | (F) Availability of e-Filing -- Acceptance of Documents
For recipients of the electronic filing notification, service is complete when the e-filing system generates that notification.
For parties or their counsel who receive the Notification of Electronic Filing, service is complete at the time the Notification of Electronic Filing is generated by the e-filing system.
Page 21 | (I) Service
An e-filer must serve a paper copy on every party whom the e-filing system does not notify electronically.
An e-filer must serve a paper copy of the e-filed document on all parties to whom the e- filing system does not send the Notification of Electronic Filing.
Page 21 | (I) Service
Electronic filing does not eliminate the requirement to serve opposing counsel or parties under the Rules of Civil Procedure.
The availability and utilization of electronic filing shall not serve to eliminate any requirements to serve opposing counsel or parties with filing pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure.
Page 21 | (I) Service
The electronic filing notification together with the required proof of service constitutes service under Civil Rule 5 and Criminal Rule 49.
The Notification of Electronic Filing, in conjunction with the required proof of service, will constitute service under Civ.R. 5 and Crim.R. 49.
Page 21 | (I) Service
The extension motion and affidavit must be served on opposing counsel.
The motion and affidavit shall be served upon opposing counsel
Page 34 | Civil Practice, Rule 4.2 – Extensions
When service is by publication, the publisher or agent must file an affidavit demonstrating publication and a copy of the publication notice, which together constitute proof of service.
If service is being accomplished by publication, then after the last publication, the publisher or agent shall file an affidavit with the Court demonstrating that publication was made, and a copy of the notice of publication. The affidavit and copy of the notice shall together constitute proof of service.
Page 35 | Step One
Each party must serve all parties with and file a written supplemental witness disclosure for witnesses whose relevance was not apparent initially, by the date designated in the Case Scheduling Order.
Each party shall, no later than the date for disclosure designated in the Case Scheduling Order, serve on all parties and file with the Court a written disclosure of all persons whose factual or expert knowledge did not appear relevant until the witnesses were initially disclosed, whom the party reserves the option to call as witnesses at trial.
Page 40 | Rule 4.7 – Disclosure of Potential Lay and Expert Witnesses
Each party must serve all parties with and file a written witness disclosure by the date designated in the Case Scheduling Order.
Each party shall, not later than the date for disclosure designated in the Case Scheduling Order, serve on all parties and file with the Court a written disclosure of all persons with relevant factual or expert knowledge whom the party reserves the option to call as witnesses at trial.
Page 40 | Rule 4.7 – Disclosure of Potential Lay and Expert Witnesses
An expert witness may not testify unless a written report has been obtained and provided to opposing counsel.
An expert witness shall not testify unless a written report has been procured from the witness and provided to opposing counsel.
Page 40 | Rule 4.8 – Expert Witnesses
Unless good cause is shown, expert reports must be supplied to opposing counsel or the pro-se litigant under the Case Scheduling Order.
(C) Unless good cause is shown, all reports must be supplied to opposing counsel or the pro-se litigant as set forth in the Case Scheduling Order.
Page 41 | Rule 4.8
In foreclosure cases, publication must occur once per week for three consecutive weeks rather than as otherwise provided by Civ.R. 4.4.
Publication shall be made once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks instead of as provided by Civ.R. 4.4.
Page 42 | Rule 4.14 – Foreclosure, A) Service by Publication
The mediation statement must be served on opposing counsel before the mediation conference.
Said statement shall be served upon opposing counsel prior to the Mediation Conference.
Page 48 | (C) Mediation Conference
File-stamped copies of the complaint must be delivered to the court for service on the defendant and prosecutor at the initial community control arraignment hearing.
(C) The APA Parole / Probation Officer shall ensure that file-stamped copies of the complaint are delivered to the Court to be served upon the Defendant and Prosecutor at the Initial Community Control Arraignment hearing.
Page 62 | Rule 6.5 – Filing the Community Control Violation Complaint
When email filing is used during a platform outage, service on parties of record must follow the same manner as service for a paper filing.
Where the Clerk has designated electronic mail as the electronic format option as the result of the unavailability of the designated online platform, any party filing a pleading or document or the Court filing an entry by electronic mail shall serve parties of record in the same manner as if the filing the pleading, document or entry of the Court with the Clerk occurred in paper format.
Page 19 | Exceptions to e-Filing
Parties served by regular U.S. mail because they did not receive the electronic notification receive the additional response time provided by the applicable rule, while recipients of the electronic notification do not receive that additional time.
Parties who do not receive the Notification of Electronic Filing and who are served by regular U.S. mail will have additional time to respond as provided by Civ.R. 6(D) or Crim.R. 45(E). Parties who receive the Notification of Electronic Filing are not entitled to the additional time to respond provided by Civ.R. 6(D) or Crim.R. 45(E).
Page 21 | (I) Service
If the e-filing system fails to generate the electronic filing notice, the party to be served may request an order extending the response deadline.
If the e-filing system fails to generate the Notice of Electronic Filing, the party to be served may request an order extending the date for any response.
Page 21 | (I) Service
The Clerk must send the specified CQE information notice to each identified court by ordinary U.S. mail.
The Clerk shall send a Notice to Court Regarding Petition for Certificate of Qualification for Employment and Submission of Information Regarding Petition for Certificate of Qualification for Employment to each court so identified. Such Notice shall be sent via ordinary U.S. mail.
Page 23 | Certificate of Qualification for Employment
If no return of service is filed, Step One is repeated every 30 days until all returns are filed or the service time limitations are met.
If there is no return of service, Step One is repeated every thirty (30) days until all returns are filed or time limitations for service are met in accordance with Civ.R. 4(E).
Page 35 | Step One
The case proceeds to Step Two 28 days after the last publication.
Twenty-eight (28) days after the last publication, the case shall proceed to Step Two.
Page 35 | Step One
In foreclosure actions, the Champaign County Treasurer need not be served with answers or other pleadings after the complaint unless a party challenges the taxes or assessments claimed by the Treasurer, including their amount, validity, or priority as a first and best lien.
In all real property foreclosure actions, where the Champaign County Treasurer (hereinafter “Treasurer”) is named as a party defendant, the Treasurer need not be served with any answer or other pleading after the complaint, unless any party challenges the real estate taxes and/or assessments claimed by the Treasurer on the tax records either as to the amount or validity, or as to the priority as a first and best lien.
Page 43 | Case Management
Jury summonses may be served by mail or by leaving them at the juror’s residence or usual place of business.
The Sheriff or Commissioners of Jurors / Deputy Commissioners of Jurors shall serve the summons by mail or by leaving it at the juror’s residence or usual place of business.
Page 80 | APPENDIX E – JURY MANAGEMENT
Filing Fees and Waivers
Any deposit or filing fee due for an electronically filed document must be paid by credit card when the filing is submitted.
When a document requiring the payment of a deposit or fees is e-Filed, the required deposit or fee must be paid by credit card at the time of the filing.
Page 17 | (D) Fees
A petitioner must pay the required deposit before action is taken on a CQE petition, and judgment will not issue until all costs are paid.
(D) Before any action is required to be taken on the petition, the Petitioner must pay a deposit in accordance with the Clerk’s fee schedule set forth in Champaign G.D.L.R. Appendix C. Judgment granting a CQE shall not be issued until costs are paid in full.
Page 23 | Certificate of Qualification for Employment
The Clerk must charge fees as prescribed by R.C. 2303.20.
(A) The Clerk of Court shall charge the fees as proscribed by R.C. 2303.20.
Page 24 | Rule 2.8 – Fees and Costs
A party demanding a jury trial in a civil case must file the Appendix C deposit within 90 days of the jury demand, or the jury-trial demand is deemed waived.
Any party demanding a jury trial in a civil case shall secure the cost by filing a deposit set forth in Champaign G.D.L.R. Appendix C within ninety (90) days of filing the jury demand. Failure to comply herewith shall be deemed a waiver of trial by jury.
Page 35 | Step Two
To reinstate a foreclosure case, the Appendix C deposit fee must be paid unless the sale was withdrawn because a bankruptcy action was filed.
Unless the sale is withdrawn due to the filing of a bankruptcy action, the deposit fee set forth in Champaign G.D.L.R. Appendix C shall be paid in order to reinstate the case.
Page 44 | Post Judgment Practice
A civil or miscellaneous docketed action must be accompanied by a cost and fee security deposit in the amount stated in the Clerk’s Fee Deposit Schedule before the Clerk will accept it for filing.
Except as provided herein, no civil action or miscellaneous docketed action or proceeding shall be accepted by the Clerk for filing unless there is deposited with the Clerk, as security for costs and fees, in the amount set forth in the Clerk’s Fee Deposit Schedule, herein adopted by the Court and made available either in person at the Clerk’s Office or accessed through the Clerk’s website www.champaignclerk.com/legal.
Page 71 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
Failure to pay costs as ordered by the court is grounds for dismissing the action under Civil Rule 41(B)(1).
Failure to pay costs as ordered by the Court shall be grounds for dismissal of the action pursuant to Civ.R. 41(B)(1).
Page 71 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
The Clerk must accept a complaint without costs when the Affidavit of Indigency is complete and must reject it when the affidavit is incomplete.
If the Affidavit of Indigency set forth in the preceding paragraph is complete, the Clerk shall accept the complaint for filing without costs. If the Affidavit of Indigency is not complete, the Clerk shall not accept the complaint for filing.
Page 71 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
A non-inmate initiating party who cannot pay costs must submit an Affidavit of Indigency with specified financial information and attach the preceding year’s federal tax return.
If the party initiating the civil action or miscellaneous docketed action is not an inmate and believes that they are unable to pay the costs of an initiated action, the party shall include with the initiating document an Affidavit of Indigency listing (1) the employment and salary for the past twelve months, (2) received public assistance for the past twelve months, (3) total assets, excluding family furnishings, (4) bank balances, and (5) number of dependents within the body of the Affidavit of Indigency. A federal tax return for the preceding year shall be attached to said Affidavit.
Page 71 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
All unpaid costs from a prior action must be paid before the Clerk may accept a subsequent civil or miscellaneous docketed action.
If a party owes costs to the Court from a prior action, all such costs must be paid before the Clerk may accept for filing any subsequent civil action or miscellaneous docketed action.
Page 71 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
A foreclosure sale praecipe must be accompanied by the scheduled security deposit payable to the Sheriff, which the Clerk must promptly forward to the Sheriff.
When filing a praecipe for an order of sale with the Clerk, a security deposit in the amount set forth in Clerk’s Deposit Schedule, payable to the Champaign County Sheriff, shall be deposited with the Clerk. The Clerk shall promptly forward the security deposit to the Sheriff.
Page 72 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – Foreclosure Actions
The first party making a jury demand must deposit the scheduled sum within 90 days, and failure to do so is deemed a waiver of jury trial.
The first party making a jury demand in a civil action before this Court shall deposit with the Clerk, a sum of monies, as set forth in the Clerk’s Fee Deposit Schedule, within ninety (90) days of filing the jury demand. Failure to comply herewith shall be deemed a waiver of trial by jury.
Page 72 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
A final judgment entry must specify exactly how and by whom remaining costs will be paid before the Clerk will accept it for filing.
The Clerk shall not accept a final judgment entry for filing unless the entry specifies exactly how and by whom the remaining costs are to be paid.
Page 72 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
A transferred counterclaim or cross-claim exceeding Municipal Court jurisdiction requires the claimant to post Common Pleas Court-equivalent cost security, and failure to do so results in remand.
Prior to the Clerk accepting a case transferred from the Municipal Court, in which the demand contained in the counterclaim or cross-claim exceeds the monetary jurisdiction of that court, the counterclaimant or cross-claimant shall post security for costs in the sum equal to the amount required if the case was originally filed in the Common Pleas Court. The Clerk shall immediately notify the counterclaimant or cross-claimant of the security for costs. If the counterclaimant or cross-claimant fails to post such security, the case shall be remanded to the Municipal Court.
Page 72 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – Municipal Court Transfers
A defendant seeking to seal or expunge a criminal conviction must first deposit the court-scheduled amount securing potential costs, or the motion will not be accepted for filing.
No motion to seal or expunge a criminal conviction shall be accepted by the Clerk for filing unless the Defendant offering the same for filing shall have first deposited a sum to secure the payment of the costs that may accrue in such action. Such advance deposit and fees shall be in accordance with the schedule as adopted by the Court.
Page 72 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – Motion to Seal or Expunge Criminal Conviction
The Clerk must collect a twenty-six-dollar additional filing fee in every new civil action or proceeding.
Thus, the Clerk is authorized and directed to collect the sum of twenty-six (26) dollars as additional filing fees in each new civil action or proceeding.
Page 73 | Additional Fees
The Clerk must collect a one-hundred-dollar special-project fee in addition to other court costs and deposit the amounts monthly into the Court’s Special Project Fund.
As such, the Clerk is authorized and directed to collect a fee of one hundred (100) dollars, in addition to all other court costs, on the filing of each criminal cause, civil action or proceeding, or judgment by confession and shall deposit such amounts monthly into the Court’s Special Project Fund.
Page 73 | Additional Fees
The Clerk must charge an additional fee not exceeding one dollar for services under the specified divisions of the Revised Code.
Thus, the Clerk is authorized and directed to charge an additional fee, not to exceed one (1) dollar each for the services described in divisions (B), (C), (D), (F), (H), and (L) of section 2303.20 of the Revised Code.
Page 73 | Additional Fees
The Clerk must charge an additional fee not exceeding six dollars when filing a cause of action or appeal under the specified statutory divisions.
Thus, the Clerk is authorized and directed to charge one additional fee, not to exceed six (6) dollars, on the filing of each cause of action or appeal under divisions (A), (Q), and (U) of section 2303.20 of the Revised Code.
Page 73 | Additional Fees
The Clerk must charge an additional fee not exceeding twenty dollars for specified cause, appeal, certificate-of-judgment, and judgment-related filings.
Thus, the Clerk is authorized and directed to charge an additional fee, not to exceed twenty (20) dollars on the filing of each cause of action or appeal, on the filing, docketing, and endorsing of each certificate of judgment, or on the docketing and indexing of each aid in execution or petition to vacate, revive, or modify a judgment under divisions (A), (P), (Q), (T), and (U) of section 2303.20 of the Revised Code;
Page 73 | Additional Fees
An action to collect appointed-counsel fees and expenses must be brought as a civil action.
Any right of action to collect said fees and expenses shall be brought in a civil action.
Page 74 | Appointed Criminal Counsel Fees
An indigent criminal defendant assigned counsel must file a twenty-five-dollar fee with the Clerk within fourteen days after arraignment, unless the defendant is imprisoned in the Department of Corrections.
Consistent with R.C. 120.36, Indigent criminal defendants who are assigned counsel shall file a twenty-five (25) dollar fee with the Clerk within fourteen (14) days of arraignment. This rule does not apply to indigent defendants who are imprisoned in the Department of Corrections.
Page 74 | Appointed Criminal Counsel Fees
A court reporter recording a hearing, or a judicial assistant administering the audio recording system during a hearing, must charge twenty-five dollars per hearing as a case cost.
Court Reporters recording a hearing or Judicial Assistants administering the audio recording system during a hearing shall charge twenty-five (25) dollars per hearing as costs to the case.
Page 74 | Court Reporter Fees
When a post-indictment grand jury transcript is prepared, the requesting party must be billed at the rate applicable to the defendant's indigent or non-indigent status.
(G) If a grand jury transcript is to be prepared post-indictment, the Court Reporter shall determine whether the indicted Defendant has been subsequently determined by the Court to be indigent or non-indigent and then bill the requesting party for the transcript at the rate set by the Court for an indigent or non-indigent Defendant.
Page 9 | General Division, Local Rules of Court
A convenience fee applies to all deposits and filing fees paid by credit card under the electronic-filing procedure.
A convenience fee will be assessed on all deposits and fees paid in this manner.
Page 17 | (D) Fees
The Clerk must produce paper service copies of qualifying initial pleadings and assess the fee specified in the Clerk's fee schedule as costs.
The Clerk shall produce paper copies of these initial pleadings and charge a fee, as stated in the Clerk's fee schedule, for production of service copies, which shall be assessed as costs.
Page 17 | (E) Filing of Initial Pleadings
Security deposits and filing fees are governed by the schedule in Appendix C of the Local Rules.
(B) A schedule of security deposits and filing fees is set forth in Champaign G.D.L.R. Appendix C.
Page 24 | Rule 2.8 – Fees and Costs
Examination fees for preliminary and final judicial reports are allowed at $75 per hour, capped at $400 without leave of court.
Examination fees for preliminary and final judicial reports shall be allowed at $75.00 per hour not to exceed $400.00 without leave of Court.
Page 43 | Evidence of Title
Transcript copies are unavailable unless the original transcript pages are purchased.
*No copies of the transcripts shall be made available without the purchase of the original transcript pages.
Page 67 | APPENDIX A – TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
The court may sua sponte require an additional cost deposit after the Clerk reports that the existing deposit is insufficient.
Consistent with R.C. 2323.31, on notice from the Clerk that the deposit for costs is insufficient, an order sua sponte may be made requiring additional cost deposit.
Page 71 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
After assignment, the court may further examine ability to pay and may assess all or part of the costs if it finds the party able to pay.
Once the case is assigned, the Court may make further inquiry into the party’s ability to pay costs, or a part thereof. If the Court determines that the party has the ability to pay costs, or a part thereof, such may be assessed and payment shall be made as directed by the Court.
Page 71 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
The Clerk must periodically send cost statements and, after two notices of nonpayment, issue a certificate of judgment for the unpaid costs.
At least once every three (3) months after the filing of a final judgment entry, the Clerk shall send a statement to all parties against whom costs have been taxed. If a party fails to pay the costs reflected in the statement after two such notices, the Clerk shall issue a certificate of judgment against said party for the amount of unpaid costs.
Page 72 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
For special programs or additional services of a specific case type, the Court must adjust the special assessment periodically and prospectively, and the assessment may not exceed the actual service or program cost.
In the case of a special program or additional services in cases of a specific type, the Court shall adjust the special assessment periodically, but not retroactively, so that the amount assessed in those cases does not exceed the actual cost of providing the service or program.
Page 74 | Additional Fees
Appointed-counsel fees and expenses must be separately collected rather than included as case costs, and reimbursement may be ordered after considering the defendant’s present and future ability to pay.
Costs attributable to appointed counsel fees and expenses shall be not collected by the Clerk as costs of the case, but shall be separately collected by the Clerk. The Court shall examine the indigent defendant’s present and future ability to reimburse those fees and expenses, and may order such reimbursement as a part of the defendant’s sentence in an amount the indigent defendant can reasonably be expected to pay.
Page 74 | Appointed Criminal Counsel Fees
The court may charge a reasonable filing fee in each civil or criminal action for implementing dispute-resolution procedures.
Consistent with R.C. 2303.201, the Court may charge a reasonable fee to be collected on the filing of each civil or criminal action and that is to be used in the implementation of dispute resolution procedure.
Page 46 | Rule 4.16(A)(a) – Mediation
A request for the original transcript plus one certified copy from an audio tape is charged $9.50 per page, with no additional audio-to-transcript rewriting fee.
Original, plus One Certified Copy – From Audio Tape $9.50 per page
Page 67 | APPENDIX A – TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
Expedited transcript delivery is charged at a rate negotiated with the court reporter and approved by the trial judge.
Expedited delivery shall be charged at a rate negotiated with the Court Reporter and approved by the Trial Judge
Page 67 | APPENDIX A – TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
The security-deposit and filing-fee requirement does not apply to miscellaneous docketed actions initiated by the Court.
The requirement for security deposit and filing fees shall not apply to any miscellaneous docketed action initiated by the Court.
Page 71 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – General Actions
The security deposit will be returned to the depositor if the property is withdrawn from sheriff’s sale and no appraisal has occurred.
If the property is withdrawn from sheriff’s sale, the security deposit will be returned to the depositor if no appraisal has taken place.
Page 72 | APPENDIX C – DEPOSIT FEES AND COSTS – Foreclosure Actions
The Clerk must deposit the special assessment amounts into the Court’s Special Project Fund monthly.
The Clerk shall deposit such amounts monthly into the Court’s Special Project Fund.
Page 74 | Additional Fees
The Champaign County Budget Commission may not count the Special Project Fund as anticipated revenue for the following year.
The Special Project Fund shall not be considered as anticipated revenue by the Champaign County Budget Commission for the following year.
Page 74 | Additional Fees
A non-indigent or civil-party request for the original transcript plus one certified copy is charged $7.25 per page.
Original, plus One Certified Copy, Non-Indigent or Civil $7.25 per page
Page 67 | APPENDIX A – TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
A written-format transcript copy is charged $0.10 per page.
Copy, Written Format * $ .10 per page
Page 67 | APPENDIX A – TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
An audio CD of a recorded hearing is charged $1.00.
Audio CD of a Recorded Hearing $1.00
Page 67 | APPENDIX A – TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
An electronic-format transcript copy is free.
Copy, Electronic Format* FREE
Page 67 | APPENDIX A – TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
An indigent defendant may request the original transcript plus one certified copy at $6.00 per page.
Original, plus One Certified Copy, Indigent Defendant $6.00 per page
Page 67 | APPENDIX A – TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Moving counsel must provide the court one courtesy copy of a filed bond modification request when a time-sensitive response is required.
(3) If the modification request requires a response where time is of the essence, moving counsel shall provide the Court with a “courtesy copy” of the filed request.
Page 57 | (B) Motion for Bond Modification
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
A party must omit or redact personal identifiers from a case document before filing it and must submit the omitted or redacted identifiers on a separate form.
(I) Consistent with Sup.R. 45(D), when submitting a case document to the Court or filing a case document with the Clerk, a party to a judicial proceeding shall omit or redact personal identifiers from the document before it is filed with the Clerk. The party shall submit or file omitted or redacted personal identifiers on a separate form.
Page 14 | Clerk of Courts, Rule 2.3 – Filings
The clerk will not accept a document for filing under seal unless a motion to seal it has been made and approved by the court.
The Clerk shall not accept any document to be filed under seal unless a motion to make the filing has been made and approved by the Court.
Page 22 | Rule 2.6 – Filing Sealed and In Camera Documents
Documents filed under seal must be submitted to the clerk in a sealed envelope bearing specified identifying information and the notation “DOCUMENTS UNDER SEAL – JUDGE ACCESS ONLY.”
The documents shall be filed with the Clerk, secured in a sealed envelope, with the face of the envelope containing the case caption, a descriptive title of the document (unless such information has been included among the information sealed), the date of the order permitting the item to be sealed, and a conspicuous notation stating “DOCUMENTS UNDER SEAL – JUDGE ACCESS ONLY.”
Page 22 | Rule 2.6 – Filing Sealed and In Camera Documents
Personal identifying information, including social security numbers and information excluded from the public record, must be redacted under Local Rule 2.3.
(E) All personal identifying information, including social security numbers and other information that must be excluded from the public record shall be redacted in accordance with Champaign G.D.L.R. 2.3.
Page 23 | Certificate of Qualification for Employment
Unless the assigned judge orders otherwise, documents submitted for in camera review go directly to that judge rather than being filed with the clerk.
Unless otherwise ordered by the assigned Judge, documents submitted for in camera review shall be submitted directly to the assigned Judge and not filed with the Clerk.
Page 22 | Rule 2.6 – Filing Sealed and In Camera Documents
If the assigned judge orders in camera documents to be filed with the clerk, the filer must follow the documents-under-seal procedures.
If the assigned Judge orders that documents submitted for in camera review be filed with the Clerk, the filer shall follow the procedures set forth under the “Documents under Seal” section of this Rule.
Page 22 | Rule 2.6 – Filing Sealed and In Camera Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions will ordinarily be decided without an oral hearing unless the Court orders otherwise.
(C) Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, motions will be decided without an oral hearing.
Page 41 | Rule 4.9 – Motion Practice / Motions other than Summary Judgment
Summary-judgment motions ordinarily will be decided without an oral hearing, but the Court may grant a hearing when oral argument is requested.
(A) Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, any motion for summary judgment will be decided without an oral hearing. The Court may grant a hearing for oral arguments, where requested.
Page 41 | Rule 4.10 – Summary Judgment
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A party seeking an extension beyond the Consent to Plead / Move period, or unable to obtain agreement, must file a good-cause motion by the applicable deadline; a motion is required even with opposing counsel's consent when the extension exceeds the preceding limit.
(B) Where an additional extension of time beyond that provided by the Consent to Plead / Move is needed, or where the parties cannot agree upon an extension of time, the party desiring the extension shall file a written motion demonstrating good cause for further extension. The motion shall be filed on or before the expiration of the time to move or plead. The motion and affidavit shall be served upon opposing counsel, and the matter will proceed in accordance with Champaign G.D.L.R. 4.9. The motion will be required even though consent of opposing counsel is obtained if the extension is for a period of time beyond that permitted by the preceding paragraph of this rule.
Page 34 | Civil Practice, Rule 4.2 – Extensions
After mediation is scheduled, any continuance must be obtained from the mediator at least two business days before the scheduled date.
(b) Once the Mediator sets a date for mediation, continuances must be obtained from the Mediator at least two business days prior to the scheduled mediation date.
Page 48 | (C) Mediation Conference
When the Defendant was not served with the indictment and arraignment notice, the matter must be continued to allow service to be perfected.
(D) If the Defendant fails to appear for arraignment, and it appears of record that the Defendant was served with the indictment and notice of arraignment, a capias shall issue for the Defendant’s arrest. If it does not appear of record that the Defendant was served, the matter shall be continued to allow perfection of service.
Page 51 | Rule 5.2 – Appointed Counsel
A trial continuance motion must be written, state the reason for the continuance, include written client endorsement, and state whether opposing counsel objects or consents, but the client-consent requirement may be waived for good cause if the motion explains why consent could not be obtained.
The Court shall not grant a motion for continuance of a trial date without the motion being in writing, stating the reason for the continuance, endorsed in writing by the client and whether opposing counsel objects or consents to the continuance with any objectionable reason(s) provided therefor. The requirement to obtain the written consent of the client may be waived for good cause, provided the motion states the reason why moving counsel has been unable to obtain the written consent of the client.
Page 27 | Rule 3.3 – Trial and Hearing Practice (B) Trial Date Continuances
By agreement of counsel, a party may receive two leaves to plead or move totaling no more than 28 days, evidenced by a signed Consent to Plead / Move filed with the Clerk without court approval.
(A) By agreement of counsel, any party may be permitted two (2) leaves to plead or move provided the total extension of time does not exceed twenty-eight (28) days. That consent shall be evidenced by the “Consent to Plead / Move” signed by all counsel and filed with the Clerk. The “Consent to Plead / Move” shall not be submitted to the Court for approval.
Page 34 | Civil Practice, Rule 4.2 – Extensions
Upon a showing of good cause and a motion, the court may extend or otherwise modify the administrative-agency-appeal briefing schedule.
For good cause shown, the Court may, upon motion, extend or otherwise modify the foregoing briefing schedule.
Page 46 | Rule 4.15(D) – Administrative Agency Appeals to the Common Pleas Court
The Court may grant a continuance of the arraignment in its discretion.
(E) A continuance of the arraignment may be granted at the discretion of the Court.
Page 51 | Rule 5.2 – Appointed Counsel
Chambers Communication Rules
The Clerk must post prominent notice of platform unavailability and provide the email address to use for filings during that period.
The Clerk shall provide prominent notice of the unavailability of the designated online platform on the website maintained by the Clerk for such filings. The notice shall include an email address maintained by the Clerk that is to be used for the electronic filing of pleadings, documents or entries of the Court during the period of unavailability of the designated online platform.
Page 19 | Exceptions to e-Filing
Before trial, trial counsel may contact the Court Administrator to arrange needed litigation equipment for access to Courtroom One.
If access is needed to Courtroom One prior to the commencement of trial, trial counsel may contact the Court Administrator to schedule arrangement of needed or necessary litigation equipment.
Page 75 | Trial Practice – Location of the Parties