The First District Court of Appeals is pleased to announce the release of its 2025 Annual Report, which highlights a year marked by innovation, community engagement, and improvements to court accessibility and efficiency. The report reflects the Court’s ongoing commitment to administering justice fairly, transparently, and in service to the public.
About the 2025 Annual Report
This year’s annual report highlights several major accomplishments including:
- Expanded Access to Justice – The Court introduced new local rules, enhanced courtroom accessibility, and launched an innovative pilot program enabling self‑represented incarcerated litigants to participate in oral arguments remotely.
- Operational Improvements – In collaboration with the Hamilton County Court Reporter’s Office, transcript preparation times improved significantly, reducing the percentage of cases exceeding the 40‑day guideline by five percent. The Court also implemented facility upgrades, technology enhancements, and new public resources to better serve litigants and visitors.
- Judicial Transitions & Leadership – The report highlights the arrival of Judges Terry Nestor and Richard Moore, as well as Judge Jennifer Kinsley’s selection as Administrative and Presiding Judge for 2025.
- Community & Educational Engagement – Judges and staff continued to engage with the community through volunteer initiatives, student programs, and off‑site oral arguments at local schools and universities. These efforts aim to increase public understanding of the appellate process and inspire future legal professionals.
- Data & Mediation Metrics – The report details trends in case filings, clearance and overage rates, and outcomes from the mediation program, which achieved a 65% settlement rate across 46 mediations in 2025.
The complete 2025 Annual Report is now available to the public.