Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division

The Ohio Supreme Court will be implementing a pilot project to create a commercial docket within the General Division of certain urban courts in Ohio. The commercial docket would seek to handle certain business litigation in a more expeditious and consistent manner. Some of the targeted Courts have significant delay in moving such cases to disposition. The Judge’s of the General Division would like to receive some input regarding the commercial docket concept. The basics of the commercial docket project sponsored by the Ohio Supreme Court are:

• Two Judges would be assigned to handle cases on the commercial docket.
• Strict time guidelines for decision and disposition would apply
• The Judge assigned to a commercial docket cases would receive specialized training.
• Utilize Special Master Services in certain cases.
• Set and recommended 18 month standard for time from filing to final disposition.

The General Division would like to receive input from attorneys on this proposal.

• Do you think that the General Division needs to have a specific “commercial docket”?
• If yes, why do you believe that a “commercial docket” is needed.
• Is delay a problem in commercial business cases in Montgomery County?
• If yes, what is the source of the delay?
• Would you like to see the court explore other alternatives to a specific specialized “commercial docket”? Alternatives could include a specific case track for these cases or other case management methods.

Additional information and rules can be reviewed at the following links:

Task Force Information http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/boards/commDockets/default.asp

Temporary Rules http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/Rules/superintendence/Superintendence.pdf