The Garfield Heights Municipal Court, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, has proposed “Rule 14 - Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence,” which addresses the use of generative artificial intelligence by attorneys and pro se litigants, and which becomes effective on July 23, 2026.
The rule requires any litigant that uses GenAI in the preparation of materials filed with the Court to disclose this use at the time of filing and to include a general description of the GenAI used and its role in preparing the filed document. The disclosure is required to be made on a Court form entitled “Certification Regarding Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence,” which must be attached to the materials submitted. The litigant remains responsible for reviewing the accuracy, validity, and relevancy of the GenAI materials, “and for ensuring the materials meet all legal and ethical standards, including any standards set forth in these Rules, the Ohio Rules of Procedure and the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct.” Failure to do so may result in sanctions and the striking of documents from the record. The text of the proposed rule, as well as a copy of the certification form, are linked below.
While this is a local rule limited to the Garfield Heights Municipal Court only, this area of Cleveland encompasses a large volume of foreclosed properties that can result in the filing of eviction actions in under the jurisdiction of the Garfield Heights Municipal Court.