I. General

The Magistrate has an open-door policy for any procedural matters that require assistance but no ex parte communication is allowed. Please contact the other side before contacting the Magistrate on any issues. Be sure to copy opposing counsel/pro se parties on any emails or correspondence directed to the Magistrate.

When possible (provided it does not adversely affect your client’s interests), extend professional courtesies and work with each other to agree on procedural/scheduling requests and stipulate to matters not in dispute to avoid unnecessary delay. Your respective clients’ interests are best served by a timely resolution of a legal dispute.

II. Self-Represented Litigants

If you choose to represent yourself, you are presumed to have knowledge of the law and legal procedures, and you will be held to the same standard as a litigant who is represented by an attorney. Ohio cases establish that you are not entitled to any greater constitutional protections than litigants who are represented by counsel, and all procedural and evidentiary rules will be applied equally regardless of whether you have counsel.

Please also note that, although you may represent yourself if you choose to do so, you may not represent your child, spouse or any corporate entity that you are an owner or member of (even if you’re the sole owner/member).

Please turn off or silence your cell phones and electronic devices when you enter the courtroom.

III. Status Conferences

Status conferences (in person or via telephone) can be scheduled when necessary and at counsel’s request.

IV. Motions / Briefs

Please consult the latest version of the Administrative Order (PDF) pertaining to issues and questions related to motions practice and e-Filing in civil cases.

All motions should be accompanied by proposed orders. Agreed/unopposed motions should be accompanied by proposed orders e-signed by all attorneys who have approved the same. Proposed orders should be submitted through the e-Filing System as separate, stand-alone entries in word document format (not PDF) and submitted under the "Proposed Orders" document category. Please make sure that the motion being granted (or denied) is clearly identified in the title of your proposed order.

V. eFiling System

Please note that the submitting counsel is responsible for the prompt service of any proposed orders submitted through the e-Filing System upon unregistered parties. According to the terms of the Administrative Order related to e-Filing, the party submitting a proposed order/entry shall, after the order/entry has been signed and e-Filed, print out a copy of the same and mail it to all non-registered parties on the case. The only orders/entries served by the Court upon unregistered parties are those that are generated by the Court.

VI. Resolving Disputes

Counsel should make all reasonable efforts to resolve disputes between themselves. If that is not possible, counsel should consider requesting a status conference prior to filing a motion, especially if it is a discovery-related dispute. Everyone involved is happier when filing wars are avoided.

VII. Local Rules

Please refer to our Local Rules for proper motions practice procedures and requirements, including page limitations.

VIII. Continuances

Please be aware of the referring Judge’s policies related to continuances. Continuances of trial dates will be granted upon the approval of the assigned/referring Judge.

Continuance requests pertaining to mediations or evidentiary hearings should be brought to the Magistrate’s attention as soon as possible. Such requests shall also be accompanied by a written motion and a proposed order. The motion shall inform the Magistrate of the reason for the request, the length of continuance requested and whether the request is opposed.

Counsel shall also email the Magistrate to alert her of the request and copy all other counsel and/or pro se parties to the email. When appropriate, the Magistrate will respond to the email with available dates. Please note the dates offered are not blocked off until all involved advise that a given date works with everyone’s schedule. Continuances are granted by the Court and not by agreement of the parties.

IX. Amendment to Case Scheduling Order

Reasonable requests will be granted upon approval of the assigned/referring Judge. Please be aware of the referring Judge’s policies related to amended case schedules.

X. Preliminary Injunctions

Preliminary injunctions are governed by Civil Rights 65. Please see the "Evidentiary hearing" section for additional information.

XI. Damages Hearings

Please be prepared to have a witness present testimony and evidentiary documents to justify your request for damages. Plaintiff must meet the burden of proof even if a default judgment was granted and no one is contesting the matter. A damages hearing is an evidentiary hearing and the Rules of Evidence apply.

If you are requesting attorney fees as a part of your damages request, be sure to itemize and document the amount requested and establish the reasonableness of the amount. Also, be sure to demonstrate whether the request for attorney fees emanates from a contract or statute.

XII. Evidentiary Hearings

If you are the plaintiff, please be prepared to have a witness present testimony and evidentiary documents to meet your burden of proof. If you are the defendant, please be prepared to have a witness present testimony and evidentiary documents to defend against the claims asserted against you.

Please have exhibits pre-marked and ready to present; plaintiff should mark exhibits with letters and defendant should mark exhibits with numbers.

XIII. Mediation / Settlement

Mediation statements are helpful but not required. If submitted timely, they will be reviewed in preparation for the mediation.

If the case involves an insurance claims adjustor or a corporate client, those representatives must be present for the mediation, with authority to settle. Participation via telephone will be granted only under exigent circumstances and with prior approval of opposing counsel and the Court.

XIV. Stenographic & Recording Equipment

JAVS

Proceedings in Courtroom 4D are recorded through the JAVS audio/video digital recording system. Transcript requests from the JAVS system should be directed to the:
Assignment Office
345 S High Street
2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

XV. Objections to Magistrate’s Decision

Objections to the Magistrate’s decisions are governed by Civil Rule 53 and Local Rule 99 (PDF).

Trials

XVI. General

• All pre-trial statements must be filed no later than seven days prior to trial.
• Any preliminary matters are to be addressed outside the hearing of the jurors and shall be first brought to the Magistrate’s attention in chambers.

XVII. Instructions

The Magistrate has a standard set of "boilerplate" instructions covering the burden of proof, the credibility of witnesses, rules for deliberating and other topics that are common to civil trials. Trial counsel shall discuss, prepare and submit the case-specific portions of the jury instructions, shall identify the OJI sections that support the instructions and, if applicable, shall identify where those instructions deviate from the standard OJI instructions.

The proposed jury instructions, verdict forms and/or interrogatories must be emailed (in Word document format) to Magistrate Elizabeta Saken no later than seven days prior to the trial date. Counsel are encouraged to work together and submit agreed-upon jury instructions, verdict forms and/or interrogatories. To the extent joint jury instructions, verdict forms and/or interrogatories are not possible, counsel should email their respective set to the Magistrate, clearly note which portions are in dispute and provide case citations to support their respective versions.

Counsel shall not argue their objections in front of the jurors.

XVIII. Final Pre-Trial Conferences / Final Pre-Trial Orders

Final pre-trial orders are issued shortly after a case has been referred to the Magistrate for trial. The final pre-trial orders address topics including pre-trial statements, motions in limine, exhibits, stipulations and voir dire. If necessary, counsel may request a final pre-trial conference to address anything not covered by the pre-trial order.

XIX. Exhibits

Counsel should pre-mark and exchange all exhibits prior to trial. Plaintiff should mark exhibits with letters and defendant should mark exhibits with numbers. Counsel should also ensure that sufficient copies of the exhibits have been prepared (at least three sets - witness, Magistrate, opposing counsel). Counsel are encouraged to eliminate duplicate exhibits and designate "joint exhibits" when appropriate. Counsel are responsible for electronically filing proposed exhibits prior to trial and/or admitted exhibits within three days after the conclusion of trial.

XX. Stipulations

Stipulations are helpful and preferred when possible.

XXI. Use of Videotapes

Please note that videotapes cannot be edited by the Court but must be edited by the parties prior to trial. Any objections to videotaped depositions must be brought to the Magistrate’s attention well in advance of trial to ensure the objections are ruled upon and the videotape edited prior to trial.

XXII. Motions in Limine

Motions in limine must be e-filed no later than 14 days prior to the trial date, with any responses from opposing counsel due seven days after the motion filing date. Motions in limine are typically discouraged, and should only be filed after counsel have engaged in good faith discussions and certify to the Court that they have exhausted all reasonable efforts to resolve the dispute. Motions in limine will be heard orally on the morning of trial.

XXIII. Method for Voir Dire

Juror questionnaires are typically available on the morning of trial. Jurors are allowed to make a brief statement about themselves before counsel conducts voir dire. The Magistrate will provide a brief description of the case and ask preliminary questions, and counsel will then question the entire array of prospective jurors. Challenges are addressed outside of the hearing of the jurors. Once a juror has been stricken (either peremptory or for cause), his/her position will be filled by the next available juror in numerical order after the first eight "in the box", i.e, starting with juror Number 9.

XXIV. Jurors

Eight jurors will be selected, along with two alternates. Jurors will be allowed to take notes during trial.