Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Electronic Filing Rules
55 rules from official source documents
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions. This page is scoped to Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.
Beginning November 13, 2023, all legal papers must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system unless an exception or court order applies.
Beginning on November 13, 2023, use of the Allegheny County Department of Court Records Civil/Family Division (hereinafter "DCR") electronic filing system is mandatory for the filing of all legal papers, including original process, in all actions and proceedings brought in or appealed to the court except as noted in the subsections below or as otherwise ordered by the Court.
All legal papers and exhibits must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system available on the DCR website.
All legal papers or exhibits shall be filed using the DCR electronic filing system, which can be accessed on the DCR’s Website at https://dcr.alleghenycounty.us.
- 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.
(a) All petitions to strike and/or open a default judgment or a judgment of non-pros shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4.
- Applies to
- Motion
Housing Court motions must be electronically filed under Local Rule 205.4, except motions to file a late appeal.
Except for initial filings as set forth in Local Rule 205.4(a)(1)(B)(3) (i.e., Motions to File Late Appeal), all Housing Court Motions must be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4.
- Applies to
- Motion for late appeal
A motion for late appeal must be filed in person with the Department of Court Records, and a copy must immediately be provided to the Housing Court Clerk.
Motion for Late Appeal shall be filed in person pursuant to Local Rule 205.4(a)(1)(A)(3) with the Department of Court Records and a copy (iv) immediately provided to the Housing Court Clerk
- Applies to
- Original motion
The original motion must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records under Local Rule 205.4.
The original motion must be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records.
- Applies to
- Mediation certification
The plaintiff or plaintiff's counsel must file the mediation certification with the Department of Court Records and submit it to the Calendar Control Office by email, but any other party may do so if they fail to do so timely.
The Plaintiff or Plaintiff's Counsel shall file the Certification with the Department of Court Records and submit the Certification to the Calendar Control Office via e-mail to CivilCalendarControl@alleghenycourts.us. Should the Plaintiff and/or Plaintiff’s Counsel fail to timely file and submit a Certification, any other party may do so.
- Applies to
- Post trial motion
Post-trial motions must be electronically filed under Local Rule 205.4, with a copy delivered to the trial judge.
Post–Trial Motions shall be electronically filed [in the Office of the Department of Court Records]pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and a copy shall be delivered to the Trial Judge. Argument shall be scheduled by the Trial Judge without praecipe.
- Applies to
- Certificate from court reporter
The court-reporter certificate required for reliance on a transcript or the court's charge must be filed electronically.
A moving party desiring to rely wholly or in part on a transcript of the testimony or on the charge of the Court shall electronically file a certificate from the court reporter, stating that the testimony relied upon, or the charge has been ordered and is being transcribed.
- Applies to
- Subpoena
A copy of the subpoena with a completed return of service must be electronically filed.
(2) A copy of any subpoena with a completed return of service shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4.
- Applies to
- Notice of change ownership
When property ownership changes during an appeal under Local Rules 503 or 504, the property owner of record must electronically file a FORM 502.1 notice with the Department of Court Records, Civil/Family Division.
If at any time during the course of an appeal filed pursuant to Local Rules 503 or 504 ownership of the property at issue is transferred, changed, or altered in any way, the property owner listed of record in the appeal is required to electronically file pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 a notice of the transfer/change/alteration with the Department of Court Records, Civil/Family Division (FORM 502.1) (see subsection (2) below).
- Applies to
- Tax assessment appeal
A tax assessment appeal must be verified and electronically filed with the Department of Court Records Civil/Family Division within thirty days after the Board mails its notice.
An appeal from the decision of the Board of Property Assessment, Appeals and Review must be verified pursuant to Pa.R.Civ.P. 206.3 and electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records Civil/Family Division within thirty days of the date of mailing of the notice by the Board.
- Applies to
- Pre trial statement
The petitioner must electronically file and distribute a pre-trial statement 60 days before conciliation in a non-residential tax assessment appeal.
Sixty (60) days prior to the date scheduled for conciliation of a non-residential tax assessment appeal, the petitioner shall electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and distribute the same to all counsel of record, or if counsel have not entered an appearance on the party(ies), and to the panel of the Board of Viewers assigned to the case.
- Applies to
- Pre trial statement
The respondents must electronically file and distribute a pre-trial statement 20 days before conciliation in a non-residential tax assessment appeal.
Twenty (20) days prior to the date scheduled for conciliation of a non-residential tax assessment appeal, the respondent(s) shall electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and distribute the same to all counsel of record, or if counsel have not entered an appearance on the party(ies), and to the panel of the Board of Viewers assigned to the case a pre-trial statement.
- Applies to
- Pre trial statement
Interested parties aligned with either the petitioner or respondents must electronically file and distribute a pre-trial statement under the applicable aligned-party subsection.
All interested parties whose interests are aligned with the petitioner shall electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and distribute the same in accordance with subsection (12)(a) of this local rule. All interested parties 69 ===== PAGE 70 ===== whose interests are aligned with the respondent(s) shall electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and distribute the same in accordance with subsection (12)(b) of this local rule.
- Applies to
- Brief in support of objections
The objecting party must electronically file a Brief in Support of Objections within 20 days after the transcript is filed of record.
Within twenty (20) days of the date on which the transcript is filed of record, the objecting party shall electronically file a Brief in Support of Objections
- Applies to
- Brief in opposition to objections
Responding parties must file a Brief in Opposition to Objections within 20 days after the moving party electronically files its support brief.
Within twenty (20) days after the moving party has electronically filed its Brief in Support of Objections, responding parties shall file their Briefs in Opposition to Objections
- Applies to
- Notice that matter is ripe for decision
The objecting party must electronically file the required Notice That Matter is Ripe for Decision after the opposition-brief filing date has passed.
the objecting party shall notify the Board of Viewers that the matter is ripe for decision by electronically filing a Notice That Matter is Ripe for Decision (FORM 503(18))
- Applies to
- Petition for name change
The petitioner must email the petition to civilnamechanges@alleghenycourts.us and request that the Court issue an order scheduling the hearing date.
submit the petition by email to the civilnamechanges@alleghenycourts.us email address with a request that the Court issue an Order scheduling the hearing date.
- Applies to
- Preliminary objections
Preliminary objections must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records under Local Rule 205.4.
Preliminary objections shall be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records pursuant to Local Rule 205.4.
- Applies to
- Proposed findings conclusions
A party must electronically file and serve written proposed findings of fact within ten days after the hearing.
A party must orally make this request known to the Viewers and to opposing parties no later than the conclusion of the Hearing and shall electronically file and serve written proposed findings of fact within ten days of the conclusion of the Hearing.
- Applies to
- Assessment exceptions
Exceptions to a schedule of proposed awards and assessments must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records within ten days after the schedule is exhibited.
In municipal improvement assessment proceedings, exceptions to the schedule of proposed awards and assessments shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records and served upon the Chief Clerk of the Board of Viewers within ten (10) days following the exhibition of the schedule.
- Applies to
- Pretrial statement
Thirty days before the applicable trial term, the condemnor and condemnee must electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4.
Thirty (30) days prior to first day of the applicable trial term, the condemnor(s) and condemnee(s) shall electronically file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 and serve the opposing party or parties which contains the following:
- Applies to
- Declaration of taking
The condemnor must electronically file a declaration of taking identifying each affected property by owner name and address and by Lot and Block number.
The condemnor shall electronically file a declaration of taking, which lists the affected property(ies) by name and address of owner and by Lot and Block number.
- Applies to
- Motion to obtain a hearing
To obtain a hearing date, the requesting party must file the Motion to Obtain a Hearing with the Department of Court Records and submit it to the conservatorship calendar email inbox.
To obtain a hearing date on a Conservatorship case, the requesting party must do the following: a. File a Motion to Obtain a Hearing with the Department of Court Records, and b. Submit the Motion to Obtain a Hearing to conservatorshipcalendar@alleghenycourts.us.
- Applies to
- Preliminary objections
Preliminary objections in General Docket and Arbitration Docket cases must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records under Local Rule 205.4.
(a) (i) Preliminary objections shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records.
- Applies to
- Opposition
An opposing party must electronically file an opposition brief at least seven days before argument on the preliminary objections.
(ii) Any party opposing preliminary objections shall electronically file a brief in opposition to the preliminary objections at least seven (7) days prior to the argument.
- Applies to
- Exhibits
Evidence submitted for consideration on fact-based preliminary objections must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records at least 20 days before argument.
(ii) All evidence that the parties wish the court to consider shall be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records at least twenty (20) days prior to the argument.
- Applies to
- Brief
On fact-based preliminary objections, the filing party must electronically file its brief at least 14 days before argument, and opposing parties must file their briefs at least 7 days before argument.
(iii) The party which filed the preliminary objections shall electronically file its brief at least fourteen (14) days prior to the argument; the parties opposing the preliminary objections shall file their briefs at least seven (7) days prior to argument.
- Applies to
- Preliminary objections
Preliminary objections in Housing Court cases must be filed electronically under Local Rule 205.4.
Preliminary Objections in Housing Court cases shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4
- Applies to
- Motion for judgment on the pleadings
A motion for judgment on the pleadings must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records under Local Rule 205.4.
A motion for judgment on the pleadings shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records.
- Applies to
- Motion
Housing Court motions for judgment on the pleadings must be electronically filed with the Department of Court Records under Local Rule 205.4.
Motions for Judgment on the Pleadings in Housing Court cases shall be electronically filed pursuant to Local Rule 205.4 with the Department of Court Records.
- Applies to
- Objection to adequacy of price
An objection filed electronically with the Department of Court Records must include an endorsement by petitioner’s counsel acknowledging acceptance of service and receipt of the deposit.
The objection electronically filed in the office of the Department of Court Records shall have endorsed thereon acceptance of service and receipt for deposit by counsel for petitioner.
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.
The parties (and not Judge Hertzberg or his staff) are responsible for filing their pleadings, motions, briefs, pre-trial statements, etc. with the Department of Court Records, whether it be in-person or electronically.
- Applies to
- Motion
Asbestos motions for summary judgment assigned to Judge Klein that anticipate argument must be submitted through Judge Klein’s online form.
MSJs for cases assigned to Judge Klein that anticipate an argument must be submitted through Judge Klein’s online form.
- Applies to
- Motion
All Housing Court motions must be filed with the Housing Court Help Desk.
All Housing Court Motions should be filed with the Housing Court Help Desk.
- Applies to
- Motion
All motions must be emailed to the court on the same day notice is given to the opposing party.
All motions must be emailed to the Court on the same day that notice is being given to the opposing party.
- Applies to
- Response
All written responses must be emailed to the court at the two listed email addresses.
All written responses shall be sent to the Court via email at bkorinski@alleghenycourts.us and ayatsko@alleghenycourts.us.
- Applies to
- Motion
A copy of the motion must be emailed to the court at the two listed email addresses.
A copy of the motion shall be emailed to the Court at: bkorinski@alleghenycourts.us and ayatsko@alleghenycourts.us.
- Applies to
- Motion
Motion sign-up must be completed by email, with no exceptions.
Your sign-up of your Motion shall be through email, no exceptions.
Uncontested asbestos motions and argued general asbestos motions must be submitted by email at least two days before presentation.
All Uncontested Asbestos Motions and any General Asbestos Motions that will be argued shall be submitted to motionsregan@alleghenycourts.us at least two (2) days in advance of presentation.
Summary-judgment motions in cases assigned to Judge Regan must be submitted through Judge Regan’s online form.
MSJs for cases assigned to Judge Regan shall be submitted through Judge Regan’s online form.
For cases assigned to Judge McGinley in the Center, dispositive motions, petitions, and objections must first be filed with Court Records and then emailed to chambers, with a copy to the opposing party, for scheduling.
All motions/petitions/objections requiring disposition shall first be filed with the Department of Records and then emailed to mcginleysubmissions@alleghenycourts.us with copy to opposing counsel/self-represented parties for scheduling.
Shared files, Dropbox transfers, and outside links are prohibited as submission methods to the Court.
Share files, Dropbox transfers, and outside links may not be submitted to the Court.
Every motion must be filed with the Department of Court Records before presentation; emailing the motion to chambers does not constitute filing.
All motions must be filed with the Department of Court Records (DCR) before presentation. Sending or emailing the Motion to chambers is not the same as filing with DCR.
- Applies to
- Calendar control motion
A calendar control motion must be filed with the Department of Court Records before it is emailed to the court.
You are required to file your motion with the Department of Court Records before emailing to the court.
- Applies to
- Petition
Petitions for Settlement Approval must be submitted electronically to Judge Connelly with a proposed order.
Petitions for Settlement Approval for wrongful death or survival actions shall be submitted to Judge Connelly electronically at civilcalcontrolmotions@alleghenycourts.us along with a Proposed Order in Microsoft Word format.
- Applies to
- Pretrial motion
Pretrial motions, briefs, and responses must be emailed to Judge Connelly's chambers promptly after counsel learns the case has been assigned for trial.
As soon as counsel learns that the case has been assigned to Judge Connelly for trial, counsel must email pretrial motions, briefs, and responses to ConnellyChambers@alleghenycourts.us for the Court’s consideration.
- Applies to
- Objections to special masters report
Parties may electronically file objections to the Special Masters Report and Recommendation within 10 days after receiving the report, recommendation, and notice.
The parties may electronically file objections to the Special Masters Report and Recommendation within ten (10) days of receipt of the Special Masters Report and Recommendation and Notice.
- Applies to
- Motion for judgment on the pleadings
Local Rule 1034(a)'s judgment-on-the-pleadings procedures do not govern asbestos or special-management cases, class actions, complex cases, or other cases specially assigned to one judge.
This rule does not govern motions for judgment on the pleadings filed in asbestos litigation and cases otherwise designated by the court for special management (Pa.R.Civ.P. 1041.1 and 1041.2), class actions, cases designated as complex, and other cases specially assigned by an order of court to a single judge.
An uncontested general asbestos motion may be forwarded to either of Judge Klein's staff members for the judge's signature and filing with the Department of Court Records.
Uncontested General Asbestos Motions can be forwarded to either Judge Klein’s staff for Judge Klein’s signature and filing with the Department of Court Records.
Requests submitted only by email or telephone are not of record in the DCR and will likely be denied unless followed by a motion or petition.
Requests via email or telephone are not of record in the DCR and therefore are likely to be denied without a follow-up motion or petition.
Parties should not send physical mail to the court at this time.
Please refrain from sending physical mail at this time.
- Applies to
- Name change petition
Electronic filing of a name-change petition is permitted, but the petition will not proceed unless the petitioner provides the required documents to the Department of Court Records.
While Local Rule 205.4 does not mandate that Petitions for Name Change be filed electronically, it is permissive to do so. However, the Petition will not proceed unless the Petitioner provides the documents listed in Subsection (3)(b) below to the Department of Court Records.
- Applies to
- Exhibits
Electronic exhibits may be submitted electronically before the proceeding.
Electronic exhibits may be submitted electronically prior to the proceeding.
Is electronic filing required in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas?
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.
Is electronic filing required in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas?
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. For cases assigned to Judge McGinley in the Center, dispositive motions, petitions, and objections must first be filed with Court Records and then emailed to chambers, with a copy to the opposing party, for scheduling.
Is electronic filing required in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas?
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. A calendar control motion must be filed with the Department of Court Records before it is emailed to the court.
Is electronic filing required in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas?
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Petitions for Settlement Approval must be submitted electronically to Judge Connelly with a proposed order.
Is electronic filing required in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas?
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Pretrial motions, briefs, and responses must be emailed to Judge Connelly's chambers promptly after counsel learns the case has been assigned for trial.
Is electronic filing required in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas?
Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All petitions to strike or open a default judgment or judgment of non-pros must be filed electronically under Local Rule 205.4.
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