Court Rules

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Sealing & Redaction Procedures

9 rules from official source documents

Procedures for filing sealed or redacted documents, including required motions and formats. This page is scoped to Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.

When an exhibit offered into evidence contains confidential information or documents, the proponent must file a copy of the exhibit and a required certification with the Department of Court Records.

(d) Exhibits Under Seal. If an exhibit offered into evidence contains confidential information or confidential documents as defined by the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (“Policy”), the proponent shall file a copy of the exhibit and a certification prepared in compliance with the Policy, and the Department of Court Records requirement, with the Department of Court Records.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source

The arbitrators may not open the confidential settlement-offer envelope until reaching the basic award.

The arbitrators shall not open said envelope until they have reached their basic award.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source

If an exhibit contains confidential information or confidential documents under the Pennsylvania policy, the proponent must file a copy and a compliant certification with the Department of Court Records.

(d) Exhibits Under Seal. If an exhibit offered into evidence contains confidential information or confidential documents as defined by the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (“Policy”), the proponent shall file a copy of the exhibit and a certification prepared in compliance with the Policy, and the Department of Court Records requirement, with the Department of Court Records.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source

An exhibit sealed by the court during the proceedings is not accessible to the public.

1. Any exhibit sealed by the court during the court proceeding(s) shall not be accessible to the public.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source

All filings and proceedings must comply with the Case Records Public Access Policy and confidentiality requirements applicable to minors.

All filings and proceedings must comply with the Case Records Public Access Policy and confidentiality requirements for minors.

Judge Nicola Henry-TaylorCRITICAL

A request to seal a petition and order requires a Motion to Seal presented to Judge Connelly rather than General Motions.

If the parties wish to have the Petition and Order sealed, they must file a Motion to Seal and present the same to Judge Connelly in accordance with these Standard Operating Procedures – these motions should not be presented to General Motions.

Judge Patrick M. ConnellyCRITICAL

The petition and proposed order must be sent to Chambers for review at the same time as the Motion to Seal.

When submitting the Motion to Seal to the Court, you must send the Petition and Proposed Order to Chambers via the aforementioned email address for review contemporaneous with the Motion to Seal.

Judge Patrick M. ConnellyCRITICAL

A petitioner whose safety would be endangered by publication may seek an exception to the publication or request sealing of the record.

If Petitioner’s safety would be in jeopardy by reason of the publication of the name change, Petitioner may:

Court-level rulesWARNINGOfficial source

The court will seal an SIJ order when appropriate.

The Court will seal orders when appropriate.

Judge Nicola Henry-TaylorWARNING
Common questions about Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas sealing & redaction procedures

How does Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas handle sealed or redacted filings?

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas 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