A Applicability
These rules prescribe the procedure to be followed in all courts of this state in the exercise of civil jurisdiction at law or in equity, with the exceptions stated in division (C) of this rule.
Rule 1.Scope of Rules: Applicability; Construction; Exceptions
Last amended July 1, 2023 · Last verified July 1, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1 makes the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure the default playbook for every civil case in every Ohio court, directs judges to apply them to reach just results without delay, and excuses eight kinds of special proceedings from the rules only where the rules would by their nature not fit.
Full Text of Rule 1
B Construction
These rules shall be construed and applied to effect just results by eliminating delay, unnecessary expense and all other impediments to the expeditious administration of justice.
C Exceptions
These rules, to the extent that they would by their nature be clearly inapplicable, shall not apply to procedure (1) upon appeal to review any judgment, order or ruling, (2) in the appropriation of property, (3) in forcible entry and detainer, (4) in small claims matters under Chapter 1925 of the Revised Code, (5) in uniform reciprocal support actions, (6) in the commitment of the mentally ill, (7) in adoption proceedings under Chapter 3107 of the Revised Code, (8) in all other special statutory proceedings; provided, that where any statute provides for procedure by a general or specific reference to all the statutes governing procedure in civil actions such procedure shall be in accordance with these rules.
D Court orders regarding physical appearance
As used in these rules, any option to use live two-way video and audio technology shall not be construed to limit the power of a court to order that a party, attorney, or witness physically appear at a proceeding without the use of live two-way video and audio technology.
Amendment History
Effective Date: July 1, 1970
Amended: July 1, 1971; July 1, 1975; July 1, 2015; July 1, 2023
Staff Note (July 1, 2015 Amendment)
Division (C) is amended to specifically include, within the exceptions to the application of the Civil Rules, Revised Code Chapter 3107 adoption proceedings, to the extent that the rules would by their nature be clearly inapplicable to those proceedings.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1 opens the rule book by staking out its own reach. It covers every civil case, at law or in equity, in every court in Ohio — common pleas, municipal, and county courts alike. That reach is one reason Ohio no longer needs separate procedures for legal and equitable claims.
Division (B) tells courts how to read the rules: to cut delay, expense, and other roadblocks to a just result. The rules are meant to move a case forward, not to trip up a party over a technicality.
Division (C) lists eight kinds of proceedings — appeals, property appropriation, forcible entry and detainer, small claims, reciprocal support actions, commitment of the mentally ill, adoption, and other special statutory proceedings — where the Civil Rules step aside. But that exception only applies when a rule would, by its nature, not fit the special proceeding. If a statute sends a special proceeding back to the general rules governing civil actions, the Civil Rules control anyway.
A 2023 addition, division (D), makes clear that letting parties, attorneys, or witnesses appear or testify by live two-way video does not strip a court of its power to order someone to show up in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of cases does Rule 1 exclude from the Civil Rules?
Eight categories: appeals of a judgment, order, or ruling; appropriation of property; forcible entry and detainer; small claims matters; uniform reciprocal support actions; commitment of the mentally ill; adoption proceedings; and other special statutory proceedings.
Do the Civil Rules ever apply to those excluded proceedings anyway?
Yes. The exclusion only holds where a Civil Rule would, by its nature, clearly not fit the special proceeding. Where a statute directs that a special proceeding follow the general rules for civil actions, the Civil Rules apply in full.
Can a judge still require someone to appear in person even though remote technology is available?
Yes. Rule 1(D) says the option to use live two-way video and audio does not limit a court’s power to order a party, attorney, or witness to physically appear at a proceeding.
Source & verification. The rule text, Effective Date, Amended dates, and Staff Notes are reproduced verbatim from the
official Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure (Ohio R. Civ. P. 1). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Ohio (Ohio Constitution, Art. IV, § 5(B)). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: scope of the rulesapplicability of the civil rulesexceptions to the civil rules