Civil Court Information

A 19th JDC Courtroom.

civil sections

As of January 2024, there are 10 Civil Sections - 7 Judges have solely Civil Dockets and 3 Judges have both Civil and Criminal Dockets. A few Judges have multiple Section numbers. These are older Civil Sections that no longer receive allotted new cases, but there continue to be active cases on these dockets. The Civil Sections are as follows:

Section 21 - Judge Ronald Johnson

Section 22 - Judge Beau Higginbotham

Sections 23 & 29 - Judge Kelly Balfour

Section 24 - Judge Donald R. Johnson

Section 25 - Judge Wilson E. Fields

Section 26 - Judge Richard “Chip” Moore

Sections 27,28 & 31 - Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts

Section 30 - Judge Tarvald A. Smith

Section 32 - Judge William “Will” Jorden

Section 33 - Judge Eboni Johnson Rose

civil duty

The 7 Judges with solely Civil Dockets serve on the Civil Duty rotation. The Civil Duty Judge handles very limited matters including Judicial Commitments, and Judgment Debtor Examinations in court. Certain matters that are not allotted, such as Medical Malpractice Motions to Extend the Life of a Panel, are sent to the Civil Duty Judge. The Civil Duty Judge does NOT sign Probate matters. Each Civil Judge reviews and signs his/her own Probate filings.

complex litigation section pilot

In August 2023, the 19th Judicial District Court implemented a pilot program to address the Civil Complex matters that are filed with the court - Complex Litigation Section Pilot (CLS Pilot). The program has been implemented with Judge Wilson E. Fields serving as the presiding Judge. The goal of the CLS Pilot is to actively manage complex disputes in order to provide timely and cost effective resolution of these matters. The CLS Pilot will utilize active judicial case management in collaboration with the parties and their counsel in pursuit of this goal. In turn, the diversion of these matters from the regular civil dockets will also assist with the overall civil case management by improving efficiency. 

A “complex litigation” matter is generally defined as one which involves multifaceted legal and case management issues requiring all-encompassing judicial management to expedite litigation and to promote effective decision making by the Court, counsel, and the parties. A non-exclusive list of factors that will guide both parties and the Court in the determination of if a case is complex includes the following:

  1. The need for a high degree of case management, including the handling of discovery disputes and motion practice;

  2. The expectation of numerous pre-trial and/or discovery motions raising difficult or novel legal issues, or legal issues inextricably intertwined and/or time consuming;

  3. The expectation of extensive and intensive document review or in camera inspection by the Court;

  4. The presence of a large number of separately represented parties on main actions, cross claims, counterclaims, and/or third-party claims;

  5. The need to manage a large amount of documents, both paper and electronic, during the pendency of the matter at a trial;

  6. The need to manage a large number of expert witnesses;

  7. The anticipation of a lengthy trial duration;

  8. Litigation classified as large mass torts or class actions;

  9. Because of the complexity of the litigation, the services of a Special Master would be beneficial; and

  10. Any other manifestation of complexity.

For more information on the CLS Pilot, please see the links to the En Banc Orders below and the Civil Filing Coversheet.