Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 2151
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2151.16 (2026)

Referees - powers and duties

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
October 1, 1953
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly
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The juvenile judge may appoint and fix the compensation of referees who shall have the usual power of masters in chancery cases, provided, in all such cases submitted to them by the juvenile court, they shall hear the testimony of witnesses and certify to the judge their findings upon the case submitted to them, together with their recommendation as to the judgment or order to be made in the case in question. The court, after notice to the parties in the case of the presentation of such findings and recommendation, may make the order recommended by the referee, or any other order in the judgment of the court required by the findings of the referee, or may hear additional testimony, or may set aside said findings and hear the case anew. In appointing a referee for the trial of females, a female referee shall be appointed where possible.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases, 1965–2018 · leading case: State ex rel. Nalls v. Russo, 775 N.E.2d 522 (Ohio 2002).
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State ex rel. Nalls v. Russo, 775 N.E.2d 522 (Ohio 2002). · cites it 2× “23(A)(1), and Magistrate Majer has basic jurisdiction over the proceeding under R.C. 2151.16 and Juv.R. 40. {¶ 20} Nalls initially contends that Judge Russo and Magistrate Majer lacked jurisdiction over the abuse and dependency proceeding because there was no proper order of…”
State ex rel. Nalls v. Russo, 2002 Ohio 4907 (Ohio 2002). · cites it 2× “23(A)(1), and Magistrate Majer has basic jurisdiction over the proceeding under R.C. 2151.16 and Juv.R. 40. {¶20} Nalls initially contends that Judge Russo and Magistrate Majer lacked jurisdiction over the abuse and dependency proceeding because there was no proper order of…”
Dyer v. Radcliffe, 169 F. Supp. 2d 770 (S.D. Ohio 2001). · cites it 2× “” O.R.C. § 2151.16. The Sixth Circuit has determined that “the referee effectively makes policy for, or suggests policy to the court on each occasion that he resolves a dispute in the court’s name or recommends a disposition to the judge.”
In Re Gutman, 259 N.E.2d 128 (Ohio Ct. App. 1969). · cites it 2× “This course of action constituted a substantial compliance with Section 2151.16, Revised Code, which provides, in part: “The juvenile judge may appoint and fix the compensation of referees who shall have the usual power of mas *128 ters in chancery cases, provided, in all such…”
In re G.J.A., 2018 Ohio 2838 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “] 53, and R.C. 2151.16 and 2153.08, magistrates are empowered and authorized to conduct hearings, prepare decisions and issue orders on official cases referred to them as the Court shall direct.”
In Re Reiner, 598 N.E.2d 768 (Ohio Ct. App. 1991). “9 read as follows: “Pursuant to Rule 40 of the Ohio Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Rule 53 of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure, and Sections 2151.16 and 2153.08 of the Ohio Revised Code, Referees are empowered and authorized to hear and recommend dispositions on official cases…”
Dolgin v. Dolgin, 205 N.E.2d 106 (Ohio Ct. App. 1965). · cites it 2× “’ ’ The Juvenile Court is authorized by Section 2151.16, Revised Code, to appoint a referee in the case.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.