The Court invites public comment on the proposed new rule. The public comment period opens on March 30, 2026 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on April 29, 2026. Comments can be submitted at the bottom of this page, emailed to [email protected] or sent to the Court via regular mail to 1200 Ontario Street, 11th Floor, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL COURT
LOCAL RULES
Public Comment Requested: The Cleveland Municipal Court has approved for public comment amendments to the Court’s Local Rules. Specifically, the Court has added a proposed new Local Rule 22 Garnishment. The Court will accept public comment until Friday, April 29, 2026.
Comments on the proposed amendments should be submitted in writing to: Mike Negray, Court Administrator, 1200 Ontario Street, 11th Floor, Cleveland, Ohio, 44113 or email [email protected] no later than April 29, 2026. Please include your full name and mailing address in any comments submitted by email.
Summary of Proposed Amendments to Local Rules of the Cleveland Municipal Court:
The Court proposes a new Loc.R. 22 on garnishment procedures to improve the efficiency and accuracy of garnishment filings. The rule requires the attachment of the underlying judgment order and electronic filing by attorneys. The rule additionally allows judgment creditors to correct deficiencies in the affidavit at no additional cost if timely submitted; the failure to do so, however, will result in dismissal at the judgment creditor’s costs.
Key:
1. Existing language appears in regular type. Example: text
2. Existing language to be deleted appears in strikethrough. Example: text
3. New language to be added appears in underline. Example: text
Rule 22. Garnishment
(A) Filing Requirements
A party seeking a garnishment of personal earnings or property must comply with the applicable provisions of R.C. Chapter 2716. In addition to the information required by R.C. § 2716.03, a party filing a garnishment affidavit must attach a copy of the underlying judgment issued against the judgment debtor or must show good cause why such documentation cannot be provided.
(B) Electronic Filing
All affidavits in garnishment proceedings under R.C. Chapter 2716 that are filed by an attorney shall be filed electronically with the Clerk of Courts. In cases where the judgment creditor is not represented by an attorney, the affidavit may be filed either on paper or electronically. If the filing is not by electronic means, sufficient paper copies of the affidavit shall be provided to the Clerk of Courts for service upon the garnishee and such parties as are required to be served, and the garnishee fee shall accompany the affidavit.
(C) Amendment of Incomplete or Incorrect Filings
The Court may permit a party to amend an incomplete or incorrect garnishment filing. Upon notification from the Court, a party may correct the garnishment filing without additional court costs by filing an amended affidavit and proposed orders (with appropriate copies if not e-filing) within 20 days of the issuance of the Court’s notice. Failure to timely provide the information requested by the Court shall result in dismissal for want of prosecution at the judgment creditor’s costs.