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.

More categories

View all Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas rules
About Judge Michael E. McCarthy

**Michael E. McCarthy** 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: Senior Judge.

**Current assignment** **Division or department:** Civil Division: Senior Judge **Chambers:** 706 City-County Building **Phone:** 412.350.5545 **Official sources** - [Judicial directory and chambers operating procedures](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/civil/judicial-chambers-operating-procedures/) - [Published chambers operating procedures](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26.03.05-McCarthy-SOP.pdf)

Common questions about Judge Michael E. McCarthy's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Michael E. McCarthy?

Judge Michael E. McCarthy's formatting rule includes file format PDF. All documents must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standard Judicial Operating Procedures

What must be included with document filings before Judge Michael E. McCarthy?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Every document should include the attorney's contact information and a current email address.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standard Judicial Operating Procedures

What must be included with settlement confirmation letter filings before Judge Michael E. McCarthy?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. If the case settles before conciliation, parties are asked to send chambers a settlement-confirmation letter by mail.

View ruleSource: page 2, section SUPPLEMENTAL CONCILIATION RULES for SENIOR JUDGE MICHAEL E. McCARTHY

How may parties contact Judge Michael E. McCarthy's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications. All parties must be copied on Court email communications unless the Court directs otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standard Judicial Operating Procedures

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Michael E. McCarthy?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Each party must timely file its Pre-Trial Statement with the Department of Court Records in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local rules.

View ruleSource: page 2, section SUPPLEMENTAL CONCILIATION RULES for SENIOR JUDGE MICHAEL E. McCARTHY

What rule applies to service for pretrial statement before Judge Michael E. McCarthy?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Each party must timely serve its Pre-Trial Statement in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local court rules.

View ruleSource: page 2, section SUPPLEMENTAL CONCILIATION RULES for SENIOR JUDGE MICHAEL E. McCARTHY
Complete rules summary for Judge Michael E. McCarthy

All parties must be copied on Court email communications unless the Court directs otherwise.

All documents must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

Proposed orders should be attached separately in editable Microsoft Word format.

Every document should include the attorney's contact information and a current email address.

Scheduling concerns or clarification requests should be emailed to Charlene Baker.

Each party must timely file its Pre-Trial Statement with the Department of Court Records in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local rules.

Each party must timely serve its Pre-Trial Statement in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local court rules.

If the case settles before conciliation, parties are asked to send chambers a settlement-confirmation letter by mail.

If the case settles before conciliation, parties are asked to send staff a settlement-confirmation letter by email.

More Judges in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

Alan D. Hertzberg
Judge
Arnold I. Klein
Judge
Chelsa L. Wagner
Judge
Daniel D. Regan
Judge
John T. McVay Jr.
Judge
Mary C. McGinley
Judge
Matthew V. Rudzki
Judge