Civil procedure includes the procedures and rules that govern civil (non-criminal) litigation in state and federal courts. Many states have rules of civil procedure written by the state supreme court, for example, and other states include their rules of procedure in state statutes enacted by the state legislature.
In Ohio, civil procedure is governed by a combination of state statutes and rules created by the Ohio Supreme Court. The Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure are the primary source of guidance for conducting civil litigation in state courts. These rules cover various aspects of the legal process, including the filing of lawsuits, service of process, motions, discovery, trial procedures, and appeals. The Ohio Revised Code also contains statutes that may affect civil litigation, such as those related to statutes of limitations and specific types of actions. For federal courts located in Ohio, such as the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure apply, along with any local rules adopted by those courts. It is important for attorneys to be familiar with both state and federal rules, as they dictate the proper procedures for civil cases within their respective jurisdictions.