A. FORM OF PLEADINGS
The form of pleadings must comply with Civ.R. 10. Pursuant to Civ.R. 10(A), every pleading, motion or other document filed with the Court shall contain a caption setting forth the name of the court, the title of the action, the case number and a designation as in Civ.R. 7(A). In the complaint the title of the action shall include the names and addresses of all the parties, but in other pleadings it is sufficient to state the name of the first party on each side with an appropriate indication of other parties. Failure of the complaining witness to appear at trial due to the nondelivery of the trial notice because of improper address shall not be a defense to dismissal of the case for failure to prosecute.
Pursuant to Civ.R. 10(D), when any claim or defense is founded on an account or other written instrument, a copy must be attached to the pleading. If not so attached, the reason for the omission must be stated in the pleading.
All documents filed with the Court, on behalf of clients represented by counsel, shall contain the name, address, telephone number and attorney registration number of the attorney primarily responsible for the case.
B. CLAIMS FOR RELIEF
Pursuant to Civ.R. 8(A), a pleading that sets forth a claim for relief, whether an original claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim shall contain a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the party is entitled to relief, and a demand for judgment for the relief to which the party claims to be entitled. If damages are being claimed in an amount more than twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000), the pleading must state this fact. However, the specific amount need not be stated unless it is an amount based upon a contract or other similar instrument required to be attached to the pleading under Civ.R. 10(D). A party against whom an unspecified amount is claimed in a pleading may request a written statement of the amount sought, but only after having received the pleading.
County courts have original jurisdiction in civil actions for the recovery of sums not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000). See section 1.B.(4) of these rules. Cases claiming damages exceeding $15,000 will be certified to the court of common pleas.
C. RETURN OF SERVICE
Parties who wish to receive a copy of the return of service must provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the clerk.
D. PREPARATION OF FILINGS
The parties to a cause of action are responsible for the preparation of their own documents. Court personnel are not permitted to prepare or assist in the preparation of any complaint or pleading in any case pending in the Court, except as may be allowed by law in the Small Claims Division.
E. COPIES OF FILINGS
A party filing a complaint with the clerk is required to present one copy of each document for each party to be served by the clerk, and one original of each document for the clerk to retain. If the clerk is required to make copies of any document, the expense associated with doing so will be charged as costs in the case. Original documents are not to be removed from the Court once they have been filed with the clerk.
Subsequent to the filing of the complaint, it is the duty of the party or attorney filing a pleading, motion or other document to mail or deliver a copy to all other parties to the action. Failure to do so may result in the Court striking the pleading, motion or other document from the case. If the pleading, motion or other document is to accompany a summons, then the party making the filing may rely on the clerk to mail or deliver the filing to the adverse party. The clerk shall record the date of mailing or delivery on the original document.
F. TIME FOR FILING AND RESPONSE
Where the time for filing of a pleading, motion or other document is not fixed by law, the pleading, motion or other document shall be served on or before the 14th (fourteenth) day after the date of the entry granting leave for the filing. Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the opposing party shall have 14 (fourteen) days from the date of the filing to respond.
G. ORAL HEARING
A party filing a motion with the Court may request that the Court hear the matter on the record. Requests for an oral hearing must be made in writing and within seven days of the filing date of the motion. It is the duty of the party requesting the oral hearing to inform the adverse party, in writing.