Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 499 rules apply across Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 193
  • Applies to
    Index of exhibits

    Custodians filing exhibits must include an index identifying each exhibit by the proponent’s number or letter, whether admitted or rejected, and by description or identification.

  • Applies to
    Cover sheet

    The cover sheet must contain the completed statement identifying the party on whose behalf the filing is made and that party's relationship to the case.

  • Applies to
    Petition for conservator
    Must include
    proposed order

    A petition for appointment of a conservator must include a proposed order of court.

Service

All 118
  • Service
    Publication

    When notice must be published in a newspaper, an affidavit by the owner, publisher, or designated agent proving publication must be filed before entry of a final order, decree, or judgment.

  • Service
    Publication

    All newspaper-advertised legal notices must also be published in the Pittsburgh Legal Journal.

  • Service
    Electronic service to all parties

    After an accepted electronic filing, the DCR automatically notifies and may electronically serve prior electronic filers with verified email addresses, while the filing party must serve everyone else as required by the rules.

Filing Timing

All 71
  • Deadline
    5 business days

    After court proceedings conclude, the custodian must file documentary exhibits and specified photographs with the Department of Court Records within five business days unless the court directs otherwise.

  • The DCR electronic filing system generates a printable acknowledgement and sends an initial email confirming receipt and the receipt date and time.

  • After processing an electronic filing, the DCR emails the filing party the acceptance date and time or the reasons for non-acceptance.

E-Filing

All 36
  • Beginning November 13, 2023, all legal papers must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system unless an exception or court order applies.

  • All legal papers and exhibits must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system available on the DCR website.

  • Applies to
    Petition to strike or open default judgment

    All petitions to strike or open a default judgment or judgment of non-pros must be filed electronically under Local Rule 205.4.

About Judge Alan D. Hertzberg

**Alan D. Hertzberg** is listed as a current judicial officer of the [Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Civil Division](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/civil/judicial-chambers-operating-procedures/). The court's chambers directory records this officer as Civil Division: Administrative Judge.

**Current assignment** **Division or department:** Civil Division: Administrative Judge **Chambers:** 816 City-County Building **Phone:** 412.350.6333 **Official sources** - [Judicial directory and chambers operating procedures](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/civil/judicial-chambers-operating-procedures/)

Common questions about Judge Alan D. Hertzberg's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Alan D. Hertzberg?

Judge Alan D. Hertzberg's formatting rule includes pdf or microsoft word format. Documents should be sent in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Communications and Document Delivery

What must be included with post trial motion filings before Judge Alan D. Hertzberg?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The post-trial motion must include the request for the trial testimony transcript.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Post-Trial Motions

What must be included with affidavit of service filings before Judge Alan D. Hertzberg?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Petitioners must file one or more affidavits of service with the Department of Court Records to demonstrate proper service and posting.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorships

How may parties contact Judge Alan D. Hertzberg's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Alan D. Hertzberg's chambers. When emailing the court, all parties must be included in the To or CC fields unless directed otherwise, and opposing parties or counsel must not be placed in BCC.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Communications and Document Delivery

Is electronic filing required before Judge Alan D. Hertzberg?

Electronic filing is optional for the covered filings. The parties, rather than the judge or chambers staff, must file pleadings, motions, briefs, and pretrial statements with the Department of Court Records in person or electronically.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Communications and Document Delivery

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Alan D. Hertzberg?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. A conservator must file a Disclosure Statement 30 days before the hearing on the application to transfer or sell the property.

View ruleSource: page 6, section Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorships

What rule applies to service for motion in limine before Judge Alan D. Hertzberg?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the opposing party, timing: before hearing. A motion in limine must be served on the opposition at least five days before trial and sufficiently earlier to allow counsel and the parties to attempt to resolve the issue themselves.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Trials
Complete rules summary for Judge Alan D. Hertzberg

Email may not be sent directly to Judge Hertzberg unless the judge or staff authorizes it.

Parties may call chambers at the listed number to speak with staff or leave a voicemail.

Electronic communications should be sent to the listed chambers email address.

When emailing the court, all parties must be included in the To or CC fields unless directed otherwise, and opposing parties or counsel must not be placed in BCC.

Documents should be sent in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

A proposed order should be attached separately in Microsoft Word format.

The parties, rather than the judge or chambers staff, must file pleadings, motions, briefs, and pretrial statements with the Department of Court Records in person or electronically.

If chambers has not responded within 10 business days, the sender should call chambers to confirm receipt of the request.

A motion in limine must be served on the opposition at least five days before trial and sufficiently earlier to allow counsel and the parties to attempt to resolve the issue themselves.

A copy of every post-trial motion must be served on Judge Hertzberg.

The post-trial motion must include the request for the trial testimony transcript.

The abandoned-and-blighted-property hearing will not be scheduled until the petition is properly served and the notice is posted on the property.

Petitioners must file one or more affidavits of service with the Department of Court Records to demonstrate proper service and posting.

Pre-trial statements are not required unless Judge Hertzberg orders them.

A conservator must file a Disclosure Statement 30 days before the hearing on the application to transfer or sell the property.

Unless the property is listed on the West Penn Multilist, the Disclosure Statement must include a recent appraisal and must state whether delinquent or liened property taxes will be submitted for extinction.

Requests to schedule arguments, hearings, conferences, trials, or other court intervention should be made by telephone at 412-350-633 or email to shawna.strom@alleghenycourts.us.

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