Athens County Court of Common Pleas, Ohio Document Format Requirements

CRITICAL

The sealed-document envelope must conspicuously identify the contents as documents under seal or equivalent and include the case caption and a descriptive document title, subject to the stated exception.

The face of the envelope containing such documents shall contain a conspicuous notation that it contains "DOCUMENTS UNDER SEAL" or the equivalent. It shall also contain the case caption, a descriptive title of the document (unless such information has been included among

CRITICAL

Proposed orders must be submitted in a Microsoft Word-compatible format and identify the motions to which they apply.

Proposed orders shall be submitted in a Microsoft Word compatible format and shall reference the specific motions to which they apply.

CRITICAL

Documents with third-party signatures or signatures on waivers of service must be electronically filed as scanned images bearing actual physical signatures.

Documents containing signatures of third parties (i.e., affidavits, stipulations, etc.) and signatures on waiver of service shall be electronically filed only as scanned-in' images with actual physical signatures.

CRITICAL

A submission is limited to five megabytes, and combined PDF files in a single transmission may not exceed 25 megabytes.

Size of Filing. Submissions shall be limited to five megabytes (SMB) in size. No combination of PDF files in one transmission may accumulate to more than 25 megabytes (25MB) in size.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order and entry

Proposed orders and entries may be submitted as Word documents with the required Court signature placeholder or as PDFs without it, although PDF processing takes additional time.

Because proposed orders and entries submitted via the Court's e-Filing System may be documents signed electronically, the document must be a Microsoft Word document (doc or docx) and the signature line for the Court must have typed on it <{Magistrate Signature}> or <{Judge Signature}> or the submitted document will be rejected. Please refer to the template provided within the e-Filing system. Alternatively, proposed orders may be submitted in Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) form without "<{Magistrate Signature}>" or "<{Judge Signature}>" as the system only is able to insert a signature upon approval for documents created in Microsoft Word. Adobe submitted documents require the document to be downloaded, the signature added, and uploaded for processing which takes additional time.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

For the e-filed Word document, a hand-signed copy must also be filed simultaneously as a PDF exhibit associated with the proposed order.

However, a copy of the same proposed order or document, hand-signed by the pro se party, shall also be filed, simultaneously and in PDF format, as an exhibit associated with the proposed order that is submitted in word format.

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

If a document requiring both a pro se party’s and the Judge’s signatures is e-filed, it must be in Word format and use the stated “s/ name” signature for the pro se party.

d. Pro-Se Signatures. If e-Filed, a document that needs to be signed by an unrepresented/pro se party but that also needs to be signed by the Judge shall be filed in word format, with the "s/ name" signature for the pro se party, as so signed by the filing party. (Ex: "/s/ Jane Doe Pro Se Litigant, per authorization, by John Smith, attorney").

CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Counsel must present the original cognovit note to the assigned judge's chambers in paper format for review before the proposed judgment entry is signed.

However, counsel must also present to the assigned Judge's chambers the original cognovit note, which shall be reviewed in paper format prior to the signing of the proposed cognovit judgment entry.

CRITICAL

Documents created for e-filing must be double-spaced, use Times New Roman or Arial, and be at least 12-point, except for mandated forms.

Documents created for e-Filing shall be double-spaced, in either Times New Roman or Arial font style and at least 12-point type. An exception is made for state-mandated CSEA forms, civil protection order forms, or any other mandated court forms.

CRITICAL

A pleading or motion may be amended by interlineation or obliteration only with the judge's express prior leave.

8.02 No pleading or motion shall be amended by interlineation or obliteration except upon express leave of the judge first obtained.

CRITICAL

PDF files combined in one transmission may not exceed 25 MB.

No combination of PDF files in one transmission may accumulate to more than 25 megabytes (25MB) in size.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Electronically filed documents, pleadings, and papers must be submitted to the Clerk as PDFs, except proposed orders.

All electronically filed documents, pleadings and papers shall be filed with the Clerk in Portable Document Format (PDF) with the exception of proposed orders.

CRITICAL

Every brief must be filed with the original and four copies.

You must file the original and four copies of every brief with the clerk of the Court of Appeals.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit

Format

PDF

Exhibits must be filed as PDFs and, to the extent possible, filed together with the motion or brief they support.

All exhibits shall be filed in PDF format and shall, to the extent possible, be tiled along with the motion or brief to which they apply.

CRITICAL

Objections to a magistrate's proposed decision must be in writing.

All objections to a magistrate's proposed decision must be in writing

CRITICAL

Video and audio clips must be provided on a USB drive to be admitted into evidence.

• Any video and audio clips will also needed to be provided on a USB Drive to be admitted into evidence

CRITICAL

Applies to

Deposition transcript

Format

PAPER

If the Court orders paper filing of deposition transcripts, they must use condensed or minuscript format or another court-approved method and be copied single-sided.

If ordered by the Court, deposition transcripts shall also be filed in paper using condensed or "minuscript"® format, or other court approved method, and single-sided copying.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading motion or application

Pleadings, motions, and applications must be legibly typed or printed, double-spaced, single-sided, have a two-inch blank first-page header, and be securely bound at the top.

Pleadings, motions, and applications shall be legibly typewritten or printed double spaced, single sided pages (No Double Sided Page Filings Permitted) on paper approximately 8 ', with a two inch blank margin header on the first page (for Clerk's time stamp) and be securely bound at the top

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order or entry

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders and entries must be in Word format without embedded mail-merge fields or copied-and-pasted PDF picture boxes, except for legal descriptions submitted as part of foreclosure judgment entries.

Proposed orders and entries shall be filed in word document format, with no mail merge fields embedded in the documents. Proposed orders/entries also cannot contain picture boxes, which are actually in PDF format, but have been copied and pasted into the word document (with the exception of legal descriptions, which are typically "attached" as exhibits to judgment entries in foreclosure cases, but are actually submitted as a part of the proposed judgment entries).

CRITICAL

A complaint with a space for its number must leave at least three inches blank at the top of the first page for the Clerk's endorsement.

In the case of complaints with a space for the number, a blank space of at least three inches at the top of the first page shall be left for endorsement thereon by the clerk.

CRITICAL

Unless the Court orders otherwise, documents required to be filed under seal must be submitted to the Clerk in a securely sealed envelope.

Unless otherwise ordered, all documents that are covered by a protective or other order requiring that they be filed under seal shall be submitted to the Clerk for filing in a securely sealed envelope.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders must be uploaded in Microsoft Word format; an order submitted in PDF may be rejected and returned for correction.

All proposed orders must be uploaded in Microsoft Word Doc format for the system to utilize the above method. Any order sent in PDF Format may be rejected and sent back for correction.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Format

PDF

Motions must be filed as PDFs and may be signed either by hand and scanned in or electronically using an “/s/ name” signature.

a. All motions shall be filed in a PDF format, and they may either be signed by hand and scanned-in or they may be signed electronically with the "/s/ name" electronic signature.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Electronically filed documents, pleadings, and papers must be filed with the Clerk as PDFs, except for proposed orders and entries.

All electronically filed documents, pleadings and papers shall be filed with the Clerk in Portable Document Format (PDF) with the exception of proposed orders/entries.

CRITICAL

Electronically filed documents requiring an attorney's or filer's signature must use a conformed “/s/ (name)” signature unless there is an actual physical signature.

Documents filed electronically with the Clerk that require an attorney's or a filer's signature shall be signed with a conformed signature of "/s/ (name)" (if not an actual physical signature).

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

A document containing a third party’s signature must be hand-signed and scanned into PDF format.

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 filed only as a hand-signed scanned-in PDF document.

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Documents filed through the Clerk's public access computer stations because of filer-side technical problems must be in PDF format.

A filer who cannot file a document electronically because of a problem on the filer's end must file the document, in PDF format, through the public access computer stations in the Clerk's office.

CRITICAL

E-filed documents must be double-spaced, use Times New Roman or Ariel, and be at least 12-point type.

2. Font Style and Size. Documents created for e-Filing shall be double-spaced, in either Times New Roman or Ariel font style and at least 12-point type.

CRITICAL

Each submission is limited to 5 MB.

1. Size of Filing. Submissions shall be limited to five megabytes (5MB) in size.

WARNING

Proposed orders/entries may be submitted in either Portable Document Format (PDF) or a Microsoft Word compatible format (however they shall be submitted in whichever format requested Judge or Magistrate assigned to the case), and shall reference the specific motions to which they apply.

Proposed orders/entries may be submitted in either Portable Document Format (PDF) or a Microsoft Word compatible format (however they shall be submitted in whichever format requested Judge or Magistrate assigned to the case), and shall reference the specific motions to which they apply.

WARNING

Format

PDF

Documents scanned and uploaded by the Clerk for the in-person indigency process must be uploaded in PDF format.

The Clerk will scan in and upload in PDF format the documents to be e-Filed.

WARNING

Exhibits filed in multiple parts must identify which part of the submission they contain.

If filed in multiple parts, exhibits shall be clearly marked to identify which part of the submission they contain (Ex: "Exhibits A through J - Part 1 of 3").

WARNING

The defense is expected to mark exhibits with letters.

• Defense expected to mark exhibits with letters.

WARNING

Plaintiffs are expected to mark exhibits with numbers.

• Plaintiff expected to mark exhibits with numbers.

WARNING

Previously filed exhibits must not bear case numbers from other cases unless necessary to the argument.

To avoid confusion, and unless necessary to the argument being made, exhibits previously filed in other cases shall not bear any case numbers associated with the previous cases.

WARNING

An application for reconsideration must be in writing.

The application must be in writing

WARNING

Carbon copies of briefs are not accepted without court permission, except for parties proceeding in forma pauperis.

Carbon copies of briefs will not be accepted without permission of the Court of Appeals, except for parties proceeding in forma pauperis.

WARNING

Printed matter must use at least 12-point font and be double-spaced.

All printed matter must be in at least twelve point font and double spaced between each line.

WARNINGPro se cases

Do not create a digital signature; typing “/s/” followed by your name is an acceptable way to sign electronically.

If needing to sign a form, do not try to create a “digital signature”. Typing /s/ and then your name is the acceptable way to sign a document electronically.

WARNING

A pro se party may submit proposed orders in Word-compatible or PDF format unless a different format is specified by the Assignment Commissioner or assigned judge or magistrate.

The pro se party may present proposed orders/entries in either a Microsoft Word compatible format or Portable Document Format (PDF), unless the format is specified by the Assignment Commissioner or assigned Judge/Magistrate, and shall reference the specific motions to which they apply.

WARNING

Format

PDF

Documents scanned and uploaded by the Clerk for the mailed indigency process must be uploaded in PDF format.

scan-in and upload in PDF format the submitted documents on the indigent party's behalf

WARNING

Electronic documents should, to the extent practicable, follow the formatting rules for paper pleadings and any other format the Court requires.

All electronically filed documents shall, to the extent practicable, be formatted in accordance with the applicable rules governing formatting of paper pleadings and in any other format as the Court may require.

WARNING

Briefs should be typewritten, but a legible handwritten brief may be accepted.

A brief should be typewritten, but a handwritten brief may be accepted if legible.

WARNING

Parties should use the Court's form for summons located in the appendix.

Parties should use the Court's form for summons located in the appendix.

WARNING

Briefs must be stapled at the top of the left margin; binder and spring clips are prohibited.

All briefs must be stapled at the top of the left margin. The use of binder or spring clips is not permitted.

INFO

A judge, magistrate, or judicial officer may sign an electronic document using a digitized signature over the Court seal when the document does not contain an actual physical signature.

Electronic documents may be signed by a Judge, Magistrate or Judicial Officer via a digitized image of his or her signature superimposed over the Court seal (if they do not contain an actual physical signature).

INFO

A Judge or Magistrate may sign electronic documents using a digitized signature, including one superimposed over the Court seal, with the same effect as a paper signature when signed using the judicial officer’s unique credentials.

Electronic documents may be signed by a Judge or Magistrate via a digitized image of his or her signature and may be superimposed over the Court seal. All decisions, orders, decrees, judgments and other documents signed in this manner, through the use of the Judge's or judicial officer's unique username and password, shall have the same force and effect as if the Judge or judicial officer had affixed his or her signature to a paper copy of the document.