Court Rules
Judge

Judge Matthew Rambo

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division

Communication

Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

440-279-1960
Technical Issues
Filters:

Document Filing Requirements8 rules

Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

Continuance requests must be accompanied by a proposed judgment entry.

DocumentContinuance Request

TRIAL-GUIDELINES-Judge-Matthew-Rambo-12-2024-MCR-Edits-FV · p. 1|SecGENERAL
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

Prepare an index of the exhibits, which you expect to offer. A copy of the index shall be given to the Judge, the Bailiff, the Court Reporter, and to opposing counsel.

DocumentExhibit Index

Content & Formatting
Exhibit List
TRIAL-GUIDELINES-Judge-Matthew-Rambo-12-2024-MCR-Edits-FV · p. 3|SecEXHIBITS
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

A copy of each exhibit shall be provided to opposing counsel before trial.

DocumentExhibits

TRIAL-GUIDELINES-Judge-Matthew-Rambo-12-2024-MCR-Edits-FV · p. 3|SecEXHIBITS
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

Exhibits must be marked before trial or hearing.

DocumentExhibits

TRIAL-GUIDELINES-Judge-Matthew-Rambo-12-2024-MCR-Edits-FV · p. 3|SecEXHIBITS
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Mandatory

If proposed jury interrogatories are submitted, each interrogatory must be on a separate page and include appropriate signature lines. Do not number the interrogatories.

DocumentProposed Jury Interrogatories

TRIAL-GUIDELINES-Judge-Matthew-Rambo-12-2024-MCR-Edits-FV · p. 4|SecVOIR DIRE
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important

Before trial, counsel should have four witness-list copies for the specified recipients, with each witness’s correctly spelled name and current address if known.

Please have four copies of your witness list available prior to the trial, one for the Judge, one for the Bailiff, one for the Court Reporter, and one for opposing counsel. The witness list should have the correct spelling of the witness’ name and a current residence or business address, if known.

DocumentWitness List

TRIAL-GUIDELINES-Judge-Matthew-Rambo-12-2024-MCR-Edits-FV · p. 2|SecWITNESSES
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important

Plaintiff's exhibits are marked in numerically and in alphabetical sequence.

DocumentPlaintiff Exhibits

TRIAL-GUIDELINES-Judge-Matthew-Rambo-12-2024-MCR-Edits-FV · p. 3|SecEXHIBITS
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026Important

When proposed jury instructions are submitted, if the instructions are other than standard OJI, please provide citations to the statutes or cases that provide authority for the proposed instruction.

DocumentProposed Jury Instructions

TRIAL-GUIDELINES-Judge-Matthew-Rambo-12-2024-MCR-Edits-FV · p. 4|SecVOIR DIRE

Filing & Service rules

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Continuance motions must be written; they should state whether opposing counsel was consulted, and scheduling-conflict evidence or an out-of-court hearing notice must be attached when applicable.

Motions for continuances must be in writing and should state whether opposing counsel has been consulted. If a continuance is being sought because of a scheduling conflict, evidence of the conflicting event must be attached. In the case of matters in other courts, the hearing notice must be attached.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 9, 2026

Page 1 | GENERAL

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 208 rules apply across Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 55
  • Applies to
    Pleadings

    Civil pleadings must designate the attorney who will try the case as the trial attorney.

  • Applies to
    Written statement

    At a criminal arraignment, the trial attorney must be identified in writing by that attorney or the attorney’s designee.

  • Applies to
    Status report

    Before the status-call day, each party must give the court a written case-status report covering the specified topics.

Fees

All 40

  • The Clerk may refuse a filing if the filing party owes costs or fees from another case or matter.

  • Applies to
    Civil action or proceeding

    Unless an exception applies, the filing fee must be paid to the Clerk before a civil action or proceeding is filed.

  • Unless otherwise provided by law or rule, filing fees are assessed for counterclaims, cross-claims, reopening a case, post-judgment motions, and requests for hearings after administrative hearings, including CSEA hearings.

Service

All 38
  • Applies to
    Initial complaint or other document requiring service by the clerk
    Service
    Court service

    For an initial complaint or another document requiring clerk service, the Clerk follows the e-filer’s service instructions.

  • Unless a Rule or order provides otherwise, written motions must be served at least 14 days before a hearing or 28 days before trial.

  • Responses may be served as provided in GCR 7.B.2, but the movant may not serve a reply.

Filing Timing

All 28

  • Electronically transmitted documents may be submitted at any time, but a document submitted after 11:59:59 p.m. is considered received the following calendar day.

  • Upon submission, the e-filing system issues a receipt confirmation showing pending status and the submission date and time.

  • The Clerk reviews electronically filed documents for compliance and assigns accepted, pending, or rejected status after review.

More categories

View all Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division rules
About Judge Matthew Rambo

Judge Matthew Rambo sits on the General Division of the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas. The court lists his general line, his administrative assistant, his bailiff, his court reporter and the jury information line for the General Division. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Address: 100 Short Court Street, Suite 2-A, Chardon OH 44024 General Line: (440) 279-2015 Administrative Assistant: (440) 279-2019 Bailiff: (440) 279-2018 Court Reporter: (440) 279-2017 Jury Information Line: (440) 279-2255

Common questions about Judge Matthew Rambo's rules

What must be included with continuance request filings before Judge Matthew Rambo?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A continuance request must be accompanied by a proposed judgment entry.

View ruleSource: page 1, section GENERAL

What must be included with exhibit index filings before Judge Matthew Rambo?

The rule requires exhibit list. Prepare an index of expected exhibits and provide a copy to the Judge, Bailiff, Court Reporter, and opposing counsel.

View ruleSource: page 3, section EXHIBITS

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Matthew Rambo?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. Continuance motions must be written; they should state whether opposing counsel was consulted, and scheduling-conflict evidence or an out-of-court hearing notice must be attached when applicable.

View ruleSource: page 1, section GENERAL
Complete rules summary for Judge Matthew Rambo

Continuance motions must be written; they should state whether opposing counsel was consulted, and scheduling-conflict evidence or an out-of-court hearing notice must be attached when applicable.

A continuance request must be accompanied by a proposed judgment entry.

Before trial, counsel should have four witness-list copies for the specified recipients, with each witness’s correctly spelled name and current address if known.

Prepare an index of expected exhibits and provide a copy to the Judge, Bailiff, Court Reporter, and opposing counsel.

Mark exhibits before trial or hearing.

Mark plaintiff's exhibits in numerical and alphabetical sequence.

Provide opposing counsel with a copy of each exhibit before trial.

For proposed jury instructions other than standard OJI, provide citations to the statutes or cases supporting the instruction.

Put each proposed jury interrogatory on a separate page with appropriate signature lines, and do not number the interrogatories.

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