Embodiments of the invention provide a high-reliability, cost-effective electro-hydraulic servo-valve assembly that is not susceptible to failure caused by contaminated fluid. In particular embodiments, the electro-hydraulic servo-valve assembly includes a rotary valve (22) that may be actuated by either a direct-coupled Limited Angle Torque (LAT) motor, a geared, brushless DC motor, or some other rotary electric actuating element (32) with an integrated driver circuit. In particular embodiments, the rotary valve element is composed of an outer sleeve element (24) and an inner spool element (26), with matching ports and slots (30), respectively.