Local Rule Rule 16.2: Tracks and Evaluation of Cases
N.D. Ohio — Civil rule
Rule 16.2 Tracks and Evaluation of Cases
(a) Differentiation of Cases.
(1) Evaluation and Assignment. The Court shall evaluate and screen each civil case in accordance with subsection (b) of this Local Rule, and then assign each case to one of the case management tracks described in subsection (a)(2).
(2) Case Management Tracks. There shall be five (5) case management tracks, as follows:
(A) Expedited - Cases on the Expedited Track should be completed within nine (9) months or less after filing.
(B) Standard - Cases on the Standard Track should be completed within fifteen (15) months or less after filing.
(C) Complex -- Cases on the Complex Track should have the discovery cut-off established in the CMP and should have a case completion goal of no more than twenty-four (24) months.
(D) Administrative - Cases on the Administrative Track, except actions under 28 U.S.C. § 2254 and government collection cases in which no answer is filed, shall be referred by Court personnel directly to a Magistrate Judge for a report and recommendation. See Local Rule 72.2(b). Administrative Track cases shall be controlled by scheduling orders issued by the Judicial Officer. In actions for review of decisions by the Social Security Administration, such orders shall be pursuant to, and in accord with, the provisions of 16.3.1.
(E) Mass Torts -- Cases on the Mass Torts Track shall be treated in accordance with the special management plan adopted by the Court.
(b) Evaluation and Assignment of Cases. The Court shall consider and apply the following factors in assigning cases to a particular track:
(1) Expedited:
(A) Legal Issues: Few and clear
(B) Required Discovery: Limited
(C) Number of Real Parties in Interest: Few
(D) Number of Fact Witnesses: Up to five (5)
(E) Expert Witnesses: None
(F) Likely Trial Days: Less than five (5)
(G) Suitability for ADR: High
(H) Character and Nature of Damage Claims: Usually a fixed amount
(2) Standard:
(A) Legal Issues: More than a few, some unsettled
(B) Required Discovery: Routine
(C) Number of Real Parties in Interest: Up to five (5)
(D) Number of Fact Witnesses: Up to ten (10)
(E) Expert Witnesses: Two (2) or three (3)
(F) Likely Trial Days: five (5) to ten (10)
(G) Suitability for ADR: Moderate to high
(H) Character and Nature of Damage Claims: Routine
(3) Complex:
(A) Legal Issues: Numerous, complicated and possibly unique
(B) Required Discovery: Extensive
(C) Number of Real Parties in Interest: More than five (5)
(D) Number of Witnesses: More than ten (10)
(E) Expert Witnesses: More than three (3)
(F) Likely Trial Days: More than ten (10)
(G) Suitability for ADR: Moderate
(H) Character and Nature of Damage Claims: Usually requiring expert testimony
(4) Administrative: Cases that, based on the Court's prior experience, are likely to result in default or consent judgments or can be resolved on the pleadings or by motion.
(5) Mass Tort: Factors to be considered for this track shall be identified in accordance with the special management plan adopted by the Court.
Last revised 1/1/2013. See Historical Notes for full revision history.