Common Pleas Court Judges

 COVID-19 Procedures

"Pursuant to the Ohio Supreme Court’s 03/27/2020 Administrative Actions Order, all time requirements for filing all pleadings (including answers, motions, responsive briefing, etc.) have been suspended and tolled as of 03/09/2020. (2020-Ohio-1166, https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2020/2020-Ohio-1166.pdf). The tolling period shall expire on the date the COVID-19 Emergency ends or 07/30/2020, whichever is sooner.  At that time, the parties shall have the remaining time applicable under the Civil Rules in which to file their pleading.  The Court notes that the tolling order does not apply to specific orders of this Court that were issued on or after 03/09/2020

•               All in person court hearings are converted to telephone conferences at least until the court reopens on May 11, 2020. This includes case management conferences, settlement conferences, pretrials, final pretrials, hearings, and trial dates. Plaintiff's counsel shall initiate the conference call at the scheduled time and contact the court's staff attorney at 216-443-8589 once all parties are on the line. Parties need not file motions to convert an event to a telephone conference. 

• Motions/Responsive Briefing: The Court notes that any party may still elect to file a Motion and/or a Responsive Brief.  If a party files a Motion and the opposing party responds, the Court shall make a ruling after the matter is fully briefed.  However, if the opposing party does not respond in electing to have the matter tolled, then the Court shall hold the Motion in abeyance until the tolling period has expired and the opposing party’s response time has expired. 

• Answers/Motions for Default: For cases especially involving pro se Defendants, the Court notes that any Answer that was/is due after 03/09/2020 through the duration of the Order is tolled.  If a Plaintiff proceeds forward in filing a Motion for Default Judgment in a case in which the Defendant’s Answer was due prior to 03/09/2020, the Court shall hold its ruling in abeyance pending any response to the Motion by Defendant or until the tolling period has expired and the Defendant’s response time has expired.

Due to the potential effects of COVID-19 regarding a party’s civil litigation, any party may request a Telephone Conference with the Court to discuss any issues and/or the current Case Management Schedule.  To request the Telephone Conference, the party should call Judge Peter Corrigan's staff attorney at 216-443-8589.