Ohio R. Superi. Ct. 14

As amended through October 15, 2024

Rule 14 - Declaration of Judicial Emergency

(A) Issuance of order

In the event of a natural or man-made disaster, civil disorder, or any extraordinary circumstance that interrupts or threatens to interrupt the orderly operation of a court or a division of a court, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may issue an order declaring a judicial emergency for the affected court or division. The order shall include each of the following:

(1) The name of the affected court or division;

(2) A description of the circumstances necessitating the declaration of the judicial emergency;

(3) The duration of the judicial emergency. The duration of the judicial emergency shall be limited to an initial period of not more than thirty days, provided at the end of that period the Chief Justice may issue additional orders extending the duration of the judicial emergency for additional periods of time as determined by the Chief Justice in consultation with the administrative judge of the affected court or division of the court. The Chief Justice may withdraw, cancel, or rescind an order at any time after its issuance.

(4) Any other information relevant to the declaration of the judicial emergency.

(B) Filing of order

The Chief Justice shall file an order declaring or extending a judicial emergency with the clerk of the Supreme Court. If possible given the circumstances of the judicial emergency, the Chief Justice shall file a copy of the order with the clerk of the affected court or division.

(C) Authority

The authority of the Chief Justice to declare a judicial emergency pursuant to this rule shall be independent of the authority of the administrative judge of a court or division of a court to issue an order authorizing the court or division to operate at a temporary location pursuant to R.C. 1901.0211(A), 1907.0111(A), 2301.011(A), or 2501.04(A).

Ohio. R. Superi. Ct. 14

Amended September 9, 2014, effective 1/1/2015.