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 Nicola Henry-Taylor

**Nicola Henry-Taylor** 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.

**Current assignment** **Division or department:** Civil Division **Chambers:** 712 City-County Building **Phone:** 412.350.1670 **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/2026/08/NHT-Civil-SOPs-8-7-2026.FINAL_.pdf)

Common questions about Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for proceedings. Details: delivery with scheduled proceeding. Courtesy copies are required for any proceeding scheduled before Judge Henry-Taylor.

View ruleSource: page 12, section PART 6. COMMUNICATION WITH THE COURT

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor?

Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor's formatting rule includes file format docx. The proposed order accompanying a remote-appearance request must be submitted in Word format.

View ruleSource: page 15, section PART 9. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALL PROCEEDINGS — I. COURTROOM AND REMOTE DECORUM

What must be included with amended pretrial statement filings before Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. An amended Pretrial Statement must contain all language from the original pleading.

View ruleSource: page 18, section PART 10. PRETRIAL PROCEDURES — V. PRETRIAL STATEMENTS

What must be included with pretrial statement filings before Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor?

The rule requires exhibit list. Each party must file a comprehensive Pretrial Statement containing proposed exhibits, witness lists, expert reports, damages calculations, and stipulations.

View ruleSource: page 18, section PART 10. PRETRIAL PROCEDURES — V. PRETRIAL STATEMENTS

How may parties contact Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor's chambers. Emails to the Court must copy every attorney and self-represented litigant.

View ruleSource: page 7, section PART 3. SOPs “AT A GLANCE”

How does Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor handle sealed or redacted filings?

Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. All filings and proceedings must comply with the Case Records Public Access Policy and confidentiality requirements applicable to minors.

View ruleSource: page 40, section PART 17. SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE (SIJ) PROCEDURES

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. A party seeking a pretrial deadline extension must notify the Court before the deadline expires, the parties may jointly submit a consent order, and the extension does not become effective unless the Court approves and signs the order.

View ruleSource: page 17, section PART 10. PRETRIAL PROCEDURES — I. PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDERS — D. Requests for Extension of Deadlines

Does Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor require motion papers to be bundled?

Bundling is optional for covered papers before Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor. For self-represented litigants with IFP status or a waiver of filing fees and costs, the Court waives the exhibit binder requirement and accepts exhibits by email.

View ruleSource: page 25, section PART 12. EXHIBITS, III

Is electronic filing required before Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor?

No. Electronic filing is prohibited for the covered filings. Every motion must be filed with the Department of Court Records before presentation; emailing the motion to chambers does not constitute filing.

View ruleSource: page 30, section I. FILING AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. For Housing Court LT jury and non-jury trials, a Motion in Limine must be filed no later than 10 business days before trial.

View ruleSource: page 18, section PART 10. PRETRIAL PROCEDURES — V. MOTIONS IN LIMINE

What rule applies to service for motion before Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties, timing: at filing. A motion must be served on all parties at the same time it is filed.

View ruleSource: page 30, section I. FILING AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
Complete rules summary for Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor

An amended Pretrial Statement must contain all language from the original pleading.

The court will not sign an SIJ order that is boilerplate or conclusory.

Each party must file a comprehensive Pretrial Statement containing proposed exhibits, witness lists, expert reports, damages calculations, and stipulations.

If filed, a response to a motion must comply with applicable Allegheny County Local Rules, address factual allegations, identify contested issues, and include supporting documentation.

A party seeking a pretrial deadline extension must notify the Court before the deadline expires, the parties may jointly submit a consent order, and the extension does not become effective unless the Court approves and signs the order.

Communications sent to individual staff email addresses outside the designated inboxes may not receive a response.

Emails to the Court must copy every attorney and self-represented litigant.

Motions must be sent to both the motions and chambers email addresses; all other communications go to chambers unless directed otherwise.

Additional time must be requested before the applicable deadline expires, unless a consent order is signed.

Chambers must be notified immediately when a case settles or a scheduled proceeding becomes unnecessary.

The Court should be notified before a deadline expires whenever possible if the deadline cannot be met.

Attorneys appearing from outside Allegheny County must contact Chambers promptly when procedural questions arise.

Courtesy copies are required for any proceeding scheduled before Judge Henry-Taylor.

Courtesy copies must be emailed at the same time the document is served on the opposing party.

Copies of every motion must be sent to both listed chambers email addresses.

Two email addresses are provided for chambers-related communications.

Every filing must include the filer’s name, physical or mailing address, email address, and phone number.

A request for remote appearance must be submitted in writing to chambers and/or by motion, state good cause, address whether the other side objects, and include a proposed order.

The proposed order accompanying a remote-appearance request must be submitted in Word format.

A continuance must be requested by written motion stating the reason, confirming whether the request is opposed, and including a proposed order.

A continuance motion must include a proposed order.

The proposed order accompanying a continuance motion must be submitted in Word format.

Interpreter and ADA accommodation requests must be emailed as early as possible before the proceeding to the two listed addresses, and requests for ASL or less commonly spoken languages may need to be made eight weeks in advance.

For Housing Court LT jury and non-jury trials, a Motion in Limine must be filed no later than 10 business days before trial.

Responses to a Motion in Limine in Housing Court LT jury or non-jury trials must be filed no later than five business days before trial.

When an evidentiary issue is anticipated, a party may submit its Motion in Limine with its Pretrial Statement.

The filing deadline is 12:00 p.m. on the first business day after entry of the Trial Management Order.

Responses in jury cases are due by 9:00 a.m. on the day before jury selection, and responses in non-jury cases are due by 9:00 a.m. on the day before trial begins.

Motions in limine and other pretrial motions must include a Certificate of Concurrence stating that counsel conferred with opposing counsel and identifying whether the relief is consented to, opposed, or unopposed.

Counsel must confer in good faith and submit both Joint Points for Charge and a Joint Proposed Verdict Slip.

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