Changes to the practice and procedure rules governing Ohio courts take effect July 1. The amendments resulted from an annual review of all rules regarding court practices and procedures and a restructuring of the Rules of Superintendence.

Most of the updates are rules that were transferred from the Rules of Superintendence to the Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Criminal Procedure, or Rules of Juvenile Procedure. Charts detailing all of the restructuring changes are available on the Supreme Court of Ohio website. The Commission on the Rules of Practice & Procedure recommended the amendments to the Supreme Court, and the proposals were opened to two rounds of public comment.

Following public comment, and in accordance with Article IV, Section 5(B) of the Ohio Constitution, the Supreme Court filed the proposed amendments with the General Assembly by Jan. 15 of this year and filed recommended revisions by May 1. The General Assembly didn’t adopt a concurrent resolution of disapproval before the July 1, 2026, deadline. As a result, the amendments went into effect.

Protection order forms currently in use before these updates took effect remain valid.

Changes Made to Civil Case Rules
Most rules and forms for probate cases have been transferred from the Rules of Superintendence to the Rules of Civil Procedure. One change lists a new exception in Civ.R. 1 to recognize the unique procedures described in the probate rules that apply to probate cases.

Other revisions relate to rules transferred from the Rules of Superintendence that address continuances, court judgment entries, and civil protection orders and related forms.

Updates Implemented for Criminal Rules
The changes to the Rules of Criminal Procedure incorporate the transferred rules from the Rules of Superintendence. The affected rules relate to notices concerning the possession or purchase of a firearm, deadly weapons surrenders with criminal protection orders, and mental illness.  

New Juvenile Rule Adopted
Amendments to the Rules of Juvenile Procedure created Juv.R. 9(C), which explains the requirements local courts must follow when using “pre-initial appearance diversion.” The new rule defines this type of diversion and mandates the following:

• Adopting a local rule outlining the local court’s procedures and practices for pre-initial appearance diversion.
• Developing written guidelines outlining eligibility and process.
• Requiring that the process for developing guidelines includes consultation with local criminal justice partners.
• Notifying the Supreme Court if the local court discontinues its pre-initial appearance diversion program.

Additional amendments to rules transferred from the Rules of Superintendence address extensions of time and continuances.

Procedural Rules for Appeals
The revisions to the Rules of Appellate Procedure were unrelated to the project transferring rules from the Rules of Superintendence. Changes were made to:

• Explain the process for an appealing party to serve notice on other parties.
• Match language in federal appellate rules regarding requests for permission to file delayed appeals and for filing documents.
• Clarify the duties of clerks of courts related to appeals.

Other amendments updated the processes for reconsideration and en banc review. Certain forms were revised to include current dates and case law.

Traffic Rules Revised
Traffic Rules 2, 3, 4, 7, and 13 were adjusted to comply with legislation affecting R.C. Chapter 2935.