Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, Pennsylvania Service and Proof of Service Rules

CRITICALCivil cases

Upon motion by the landlord, accompanied by proof of service thereof upon the tenant 10 days prior thereto and accompanied by a copy of the escrow account passbook, the Court may dissolve the supersedeas if the passbook discloses that a monthly rental payment was not deposited in escrow within 10 days after the date the rental payment became due.

Upon motion by the landlord, accompanied by proof of service thereof upon the tenant 10 days prior thereto and accompanied by a copy of the escrow account passbook, the Court may dissolve the supersedeas if the passbook discloses that a monthly rental payment was not deposited in escrow within 10 days after the date the rental payment became due.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Mail

The petitioner must forthwith mail notice that the petition was presented, a conformed copy of the petition, and a conformed copy of the order to the applicable owners, condemning body, or attorney of record.

Notice that the petition has been presented, together with a conformed copy thereof, as well as a conformed copy of the order appointing the viewers, shall be forthwith mailed by the petitioner to the owners, or condemning body, or their attorney of record, whichever is applicable.

CRITICALCivil cases

All parties in interest must receive notice at least 20 days before the sale by personal service or certified mail to their last known address, unless notice is waived in writing or the Court dispenses with it for cause shown.

Notice thereof shall also be given to all parties in interest at least 20 days before the sale by personal service or by certified mail to their last known address, unless the same shall have been waived in writing or the Court, for cause shown, shall dispense therewith.

CRITICAL

If practicable, notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be hand-delivered to the parties and each shall sign a receipt.

If practicable, notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be hand-delivered to the parties and each shall sign a receipt.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Sworn written sale return

The sworn written sale return must include due proofs of publication and service of other required notices.

due proofs of publication and service of other required notices.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Publication

The sale must be advertised as required by law and as reasonably necessary to obtain the best price, with public notice at least once weekly for three successive weeks in specified newspapers before the sale and conspicuous posting on the property.

Such sale shall be advertised in such manner, in such newspapers or other media, and for such length of time as shall be required by law and deemed necessary and proper reasonably and practically to obtain the best price possible under all the circumstances, but in any event public notice of such sale shall be advertised at least once a week for three successive weeks in the Bucks County Law Reporter and in one other newspaper of general circulation in the county prior to the sale, and shall be conspicuously posted on the subject real estate.

CRITICAL

Service

Personal service to all parties

Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be hand-delivered to the parties and each shall sign a receipt.

Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be hand-delivered to the parties and each shall sign a receipt.

CRITICAL

Service

Mail

At least ten days before presenting the petition, the petitioner must send the petition and notice to the District Attorney by certified mail with return receipt requested and attach an affidavit of service to the petition.

(c) At least ten (10) days prior to presentation of the petition, a copy of said petition together with notice of intended presentation shall be given to the District Attorney by certified mail, return receipt requested, which notice shall set forth the date of intended presentation. An affidavit of service of said notice shall be attached to the petition.

CRITICAL

The surety must receive notice of the petition, and an affidavit of service of the notice of intended application must be attached to the petition.

(4) the name and full address of the surety of petitioner and an averment that the surety had notice of the petition, to be evidenced by attaching to the petition an affidavit of service of notice of the intention to apply to the Court for approval of the appointment;

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Publication

Before the sale, public notice must be published weekly for three successive weeks in the specified publications and conspicuously posted on the real estate.

but in any event public notice of such sale shall be advertised at least once a week for three successive weeks in the Bucks County Law Reporter and in one other newspaper of general circulation in the county prior to the sale, and shall be conspicuously posted on the subject real estate.

CRITICALCivil cases

Assignees for the benefit of creditors and receivers shall, after they have entered security, give notice of their appointment, to every creditor and every party in interest of whom they have knowledge,

Assignees for the benefit of creditors and receivers shall, after they have entered security, give notice of their appointment, to every creditor and every party in interest of whom they have knowledge,

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Petition

Petitions under the rule must be served personally or in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 430 or Bucks County Rule of Civil Procedure *285.

Service of petitions submitted under this rule shall be made by personal service or in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 430 or Bucks County Rule of Civil Procedure *285.

CRITICALCriminal cases

The Clerk of Courts must notify defendants, their attorneys of record, and bondsmen of scheduled grand-jury presentments unless the issuing authority already gave notice when the defendant was held for Court.

Notice of the scheduling of cases for presentment to the respective sessions of the grand jury shall be given to defendants, their attorneys of record and bondsmen by the Clerk of Courts, unless such notice shall have earlier been given by the issuing authority in particular cases at the time when a defendant had been held for Court, provided that due documentation thereof shall appear in the file record.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Legal advertisement or notice

Service

Publication

The Bucks County Law Reporter is designated for publication of legally required legal advertisements and notices.

The Bucks County Law Reporter is hereby designated as the legal newspaper and periodical for the publication of legal advertisements and notices required by law, rule, order or decree of court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Mail to all parties

The party seeking discontinuance must notify all other parties by ordinary mail.

The party requesting discontinuance shall notify all other parties by ordinary mail:

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

48 hours

A conformed copy of the praecipe and certification must be given to the court administrator, opposing counsel, and unrepresented parties within 48 hours.

A conformed copy of such praecipe and certification shall be given to the court administrator, opposing counsel and unrepresented parties within forty-eight hours.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Any party who declines to participate in the PACFile electronic filing system, who is unable to electronically file or accept service of legal papers which were filed electronically, or who is otherwise unable to access the PACFile system, shall be permitted to file legal papers in hard copy format and shall be served legal papers as required by Pa.R.Crim.P. 576 in a hard copy format by the Clerk of Courts and other parties, regardless of whether such legal papers are electronically filed or in a hard copy format.

Any party who declines to participate in the PACFile electronic filing system, who is unable to electronically file or accept service of legal papers which were filed electronically, or who is otherwise unable to access the PACFile system, shall be permitted to file legal papers in hard copy format and shall be served legal papers as required by Pa.R.Crim.P. 576 in a hard copy format by the Clerk of Courts and other parties, regardless of whether such legal papers are electronically filed or in a hard copy format.

CRITICAL

When the defendant is absent, the paragraph's information and hearing notice must be served with the protection order, in the same manner and at the same time as that order.

In cases in which defendant is not present, the defendant shall be served with the information contained in this paragraph and notice of the hearing in the same manner and at the same time as service of the order of protection under Pa.R.C.P.M.D.J. No. 1209.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Publication

Assignees and receivers must publish notice of their appointment once a week for three successive weeks in a newspaper published in Bucks County and in the Bucks County Law Reporter.

and shall also publish notice thereof once a week for three successive weeks in one newspaper published in the County of Bucks and the Bucks County Law Reporter.

CRITICALCivil cases

A stay requires a court order and notice to adverse counsel, unless the court waives notice in its discretion because of extraordinary circumstances.

A stay of proceedings may be allowed only by order of the court, and shall not be allowed except after notice to counsel of record for the adverse party unless the court in its discretion shall determine otherwise by reason of extraordinary circumstance.

CRITICALCivil cases

The intention to apply for additional time to initiate or complete discovery must be communicated in writing to all counsel and unrepresented parties.

Written notice of the intention to make such application shall be given to all counsel and unrepresented parties.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Rule to show cause

A rule to show cause must be served on respondents at least ten days before the return date unless the Court authorizes a shorter period.

A rule to show cause shall be served upon the respondents at least ten days prior to the return date, unless the Court shall specially authorize service within a shorter time.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Rule to show cause

A rule to show cause must be served on respondents at least ten days before the return date unless the Court authorizes a shorter period.

(2) A rule to show cause shall be served upon the respondents at least ten days prior to the return date, unless the Court shall specially authorize service within a shorter time.

CRITICALCivil cases

The defendant must give notice of the action within twenty days after service of the complaint.

Where notice of the pendency of an action to recover damages for an injury, not resulting in death, inflicted upon the person of a spouse or a minor, is given by the defendant under Pa. R.C.P. 2232(a), it shall be given within twenty days after service upon him of the complaint.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Copies of the specified post-trial motions and supporting reasons must be given to the trial judge, court reporter, and court administrator, with proof of service filed; the usual documentation is endorsed acceptances on the original motion before filing.

A copy of all motions for new trials, for judgment n.o.v., to take off non-suits and in arrest of judgment, together with the reasons therefor, shall be given to the trial judge, and to the official court reporter and the court administrator, and proof of such service shall be filed of record. The usual manner of documenting the fact of such service shall be by the endorsement of acceptances of service thereof by the trial judge and the official court reporter and the court administrator, respectively, noted upon the original motion before filing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Notice or advertisement

Service

Publication

Notices or advertisements required to appear in newspapers of general circulation must also be published in the Bucks County Law Reporter, unless the court dispenses with that requirement by special order.

Every notice or advertisement required by law, rule, order or decree of court in one or more newspapers of general circulation, unless dispensed with by special order of the court, shall also be published in the Bucks County Law Reporter.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must serve opposing counsel and any unrepresented parties with a certification notice before certifying the case as ready for trial.

Before certifying a case as being ready for trial, counsel for the party intending such certification shall serve a certification notice upon opposing counsel and any unrepresented parties.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Mail

Interested parties must receive notice at least 20 days before the sale by personal service or certified mail to their last known addresses, unless notice is waived in writing or the court dispenses with it for cause shown.

Notice thereof shall also be given to all interested parties at least 20 days before the sale by personal service or by certified mail to their last known address, unless the same shall have been waived in writing or the court, for cause shown, shall dispense therewith.

CRITICALCivil cases

A copy of additional reasons must be served forthwith on opposing counsel or an unrepresented adverse party and on the trial judge.

a copy thereof shall forthwith be served upon counsel of record for the adverse party or parties, or the adverse party himself if he has no counsel of record, and upon the trial judge.

CRITICALCivil cases

Hearing notice must be given at least 10 days before the hearing, by regular mail to all counsel and by regular and certified mail with return receipt requested to the party facing sanctions.

Notice of such hearing shall be given at least 10 days prior to the hearing to all counsel by regular mail and to the party against whom sanctions are to be imposed by regular mail and certified mail, return receipt requested.

CRITICALCivil cases

Before filing the schedule, written notice with a copy must be given to affected interested parties or counsel who have not filed written approval, and proof of notice must be filed with the clerk.

Notice of the filing of a schedule of distribution shall be given in writing, together with a copy of the schedule, prior to the filing thereof, to all interested parties who may be affected thereby, or their counsel of record, who do not attach or file their written approval with the schedule. Proof of notice shall be filed with the clerk.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion or rule

A copy of each motion or rule must be served as provided by the cited Pennsylvania rules.

a copy thereof shall be served as provided by Pa.R.C.P. 233 (editor's note: now Pa.R.C.P. 440 and 441).

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Affidavit of service

An affidavit of service must be filed in the prothonotary's office within five days after service, or as soon thereafter as the signed mail return receipt is returned to the plaintiff.

*(b) An affidavit of service of such notice shall be filed in the prothonotary's office within five days after service or as soon thereafter as the registered or certified mail return receipt, signed by the person to whom it is addressed, is returned to the plaintiff.

CRITICALCivil cases

To obtain an order making the rule absolute for failure to answer, the affidavit of service must show service of the petition more than ten days before the return day.

In the event that no answer is filed by the return day, upon praecipe and an affidavit of service of the petition, showing service more than ten (10) days before the return day the prothonotary shall make the rule absolute.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Answers to interrogatories

Answers must be served on Defendant’s counsel within 30 days after the interrogatories are served.

Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 4006 requires filing and service of your Answers on Defendant's counsel within thirty (30) days after service of these Interrogatories.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Account

Service

Publication

The prothonotary must advertise each account in a court-designated County newspaper and the Bucks County Law Reporter for four successive weeks before presentation for confirmation.

(a) All accounts required by law to be filed in the Court of Common Pleas shall be advertised by the prothonotary in at least one newspaper published in the County, which shall be designated by the Court, and in the Bucks County Law Reporter, during four successive weeks immediately preceding the date at which they are to be presented to the Court for confirmation.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Service

Electronic service

Upon electronic submission, PACFile must notify participating parties and attorneys, and that notification satisfies service requirements for account holders.

Upon submission of a legal paper for electronic filing, the PACFile system shall provide an electronic notification to other parties and attorneys to the case who are participating in electronic filing that the legal paper has been submitted. This notification upon submission shall satisfy the service requirements of Rules 114(B) and 576(B) on any attorney or party who has established a PACFile system account.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Mail

The termination notices must be sent by regular mail to the addressees’ last known addresses.

Said notices shall be sent by regular mail to the last known address of the addressees.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Publication

If an affidavit shows personal or certified-mail service may not be made, the citation must be published in the specified publications weekly for three successive weeks and posted conspicuously on the premises, subject to a different court direction for cause; the last advertisement and posting must be at least 20 days before the return day.

If it shall appear by affidavit that such citation may not be served personally or by certified mail, the same shall be served by publication, unless the Court for cause shown shall otherwise direct in particular cases, by advertisement in the Bucks County Law Reporter and in one newspaper of general circulation published in the county once a week for three successive weeks, and also by posting the same in a conspicuous place on the subject premises. The last advertisement and such posting are to be made at least 20 days prior to the return day.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Filed paper

A copy of every filed paper, except accounts or as otherwise provided by law or court rules, must be promptly served on the opposing side.

(b) A copy of every paper filed, excepting accounts, unless otherwise provided by law or the rules of Court, shall be promptly served on the opposing side, as hereinafter provided.

CRITICAL

Auditors or masters must give interested parties of record or their counsel at least 10 days’ notice of a scheduled hearing by personal service or mail.

Auditors or masters shall give at least 10 days notice of a scheduled hearing by personal service or by mail to all interested parties of record or to their counsel of record.

CRITICALCivil cases

Notice of a petition to pay money into Court must be given in the manner prescribed by the rules.

Notice of the presentation of such a petition shall be given in the manner set forth in these rules.

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

24 hours

Notice of presentation of a defendant’s motion must be given to all counsel of record at least 24 hours before the hearing, and proof must be presented at the hearing or the Court may dismiss the motion.

Notice of presentation of a defendant’s motion to stay Sheriff’s sale must be provided to all counsel of record not less than 24 hours prior to the time set forth in subsection (a) above for hearing. Proof of such notice of presentation shall be presented to the Court at the time of hearing, failing which the motion may be dismissed in the Court’s discretion.

CRITICALCivil cases

At least 14 days’ notice of a specially fixed trial or argument must be given to all parties or their counsel of record, unless waived in writing.

The court, in its discretion, upon motion of any party in interest or upon its own motion, may by special order fix the trial of particular equity cases, or cases to be tried by the court without a jury, or the argument of particular cases, at such times other than at the stated sessions schedules therefor as may be required by the exigencies of the situation and the engagement of the court; provided that at least fourteen days' notice thereof shall be given to all parties or their counsel of record unless such notice be waived in writing.

CRITICALCivil cases

A continuance must be accompanied by notice to the parties or their attorneys.

(5) Continuances shall be granted only by the Court Administrator for good cause shown, with notice to the parties or their attorneys.

CRITICALCivil cases

At least 10 days before the hearing, notice must be given to the specified nonjoining parent, putative father, and parents or guardian of a petitioner under 18.

At least 10 days' notice of the hearing shall be given to a parent who has not relinquished parental rights and duties and has not joined in the petition for voluntary relinquishment, to the putative father whose parental rights could be terminated pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. §2503(d) and to the parents or guardian of a petitioner who has not reached 18 years of age.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Citation

The citation's return of service must be filed with supporting affidavits stating the time and manner of service and, when appropriate, return receipt cards and proofs of publication.

In all cases, return of service of the citation shall be filed together with supporting affidavits showing the time and manner of service and by attaching return receipt cards and proofs of publication, in appropriate cases.

CRITICAL

Service

Publication

Unless an exception applies, service by publication must appear once in the Bucks County Law Reporter and one qualifying county newspaper, leaving the person served at least five days to act.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by Act of Assembly, rule or special order of Court, service by publication shall be made by publication once in the Bucks County Law Reporter and in one newspaper of general circulation within the county, meeting the requirements of law, in such manner that the person so served shall have at least five days after the publication thereof to act thereon.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Petition and case management order

Service

Mail

Within 20 days after entry of the order fixing the certified ready date, the appellant must send the petition and case management order by certified mail to each recipient listed in Rule 28(d).

Within 20 days after the date of entry of the order fixing the certified ready date on the appeal, the appellant shall mail, by certified mail, a copy of the petition and case management order to the following: the Board of Assessment; the county solicitor; the municipality in which the tax parcel is located; the school district in which the tax parcel is located; and the property owner.

CRITICALCivil cases

Before submitting a praecipe under subsection (5), the other party must give at least ten days’ written notice and include an affidavit proving service; the non-complying party may cure during that period.

Written notice of the intent to file under this subsection shall be given to the party whose application is at issue at least ten days prior to such submission, during which period of time the non-complying party shall have the opportunity to come into compliance with the requirements of subsection (2). An affidavit of service of such notice shall accompany the praecipe filed under this subsection.

CRITICALCivil cases

At least 10 days before the hearing, notice must be given to the specified nonjoining parent, putative father, and parents or guardian of a petitioner under 18; those persons need not attend.

2. At least 10 days' notice of the hearing shall be given to a parent who has not relinquished parental rights and duties and has not joined in the petition for voluntary relinquishment, to the putative father whose parental rights could be terminated pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S. §2503(d) and to the parents or guardian of a petitioner who has not reached 18 years of age. These persons are not required to attend the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

An affidavit of service of the petition showing service more than ten days before the return day is required for the rule to be made absolute when no answer is filed.

(e) In the event that no answer is filed by the return day, upon praecipe and an affidavit of service of the petition, showing service more than ten (10) days before the return day the prothonotary shall make the rule absolute.

CRITICALCivil cases

At least 10 days' notice of the hearing must be given to the listed persons, who are not required to attend.

At least 10 days' notice of the hearing shall be given to the parent or parents whose rights are to be terminated, to the parents or guardian of a minor parent whose rights are to be terminated, to the putative father, to the other parent who has not relinquished parental rights and whose rights are not to be terminated and to the parents or guardian of the other parent if the other parent is a minor. These persons are not required to attend the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

If any part of the estate is or was received from the Veterans’ Administration, written notice of the requested allowance must be given to that agency.

If any portion of the incapacitated person’s estate is or has been received from the United States Veterans’ Administration, written notice of the requested allowance shall be given to said agency.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Brief or paper book

A copy of each brief or paper book must be served on the judge whose order or decree was appealed immediately after filing it with an appellate court.

Immediately upon filing a brief or paper book with any appellate court, a copy thereof shall be served upon the judge of this Court from whose order or decree the appeal was taken.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Opposition brief or memorandum

An opposing party filing a brief or memorandum must serve copies on all other parties.

Within ten days of the date of filing of the above praecipe and its accompanying documents, every party opposing the application of the moving party shall file a brief or memorandum of law with the clerk of the court, serving copies of same on all other parties.

CRITICALCivil cases

The Office of the Court Administrator must give the parties or counsel at least 30 days’ written notice of the arbitration’s time, date, and place.

(4) The Office of the Court Administrator shall provide not less than 30 days’ written notice to the parties or counsel of the time, date and place set for arbitration.

CRITICAL

Service

Publication

The Bucks County Law Reporter is the legal periodical for required legal advertisements, and notices required to appear in Bucks County newspapers must also appear there unless a special court order dispenses with that requirement.

(b) The Bucks County Law Reporter shall be the legal periodical for the publishing of legal advertisements required by law, rule or order of the Court. Every notice of advertisement required by law, rule or order of Court to be published in one or more newspapers published in the County of Bucks, unless dispensed with by special order of Court, shall also be published in the Bucks County Law Reporter.

CRITICALCivil cases

At an estate audit or other proceeding, when a non-U.S.-resident distributee’s distribution might or should be withheld, notice of all facts and circumstances must be given to the Attorney General, who is to be asked to participate as amicus curiae.

When at the audit of an account or other proceeding in any estate in this court, it appears that any distributee is not a resident of the United States and that distribution to them might or should be withheld, notice of all of the facts and circumstances shall be given to the Attorney General who will be requested to participate in the proceedings as amicus curiae.

CRITICALCivil cases

If the Court exercises its discretion to require a citation, it may be served on interested nonjoining parties personally or by certified mail by any adult or the sheriff at least 20 days before its return day.

Upon the presentation of such a petition, the Court may in its discretion, require that a citation issue directed to all parties in interest (including lienholders) who have not joined in the petition requiring them to show cause why the requested order of sale should not be granted. Such citation may be served personally or by certified mail by any adult person or by the sheriff at least 20 days prior to the return day thereof.

CRITICALCivil cases

The Court must issue a citation to interested parties who did not join the petition; after the return day expires and due proof of service is provided, the matter is disposed of on application as circumstances require.

Upon the presentation thereof, the Court shall award a citation upon the parties in interest who have not joined in the petition, to show cause why the extension of time requested should not be granted. Upon the expiration of the return day and due proof of service of the citation, the matter shall be disposed of by the Court on application as the circumstances may require.

CRITICALCivil cases

The appellant must file an affidavit of service with the prothonotary within 30 days after the court order, and failure to serve as directed may result in dismissal.

Within 30 days after the date of the order of court, the appellant shall file an affidavit of service with the prothonotary. Failure to serve the petition and case management order as directed herein may result in dismissal of the appeal.

CRITICALCivil cases

The written notice of sale must be served on the defendant in the writ and the real owner or owners at least 10 days before the sale, by personal service or certified mail; where the specified parties or addresses cannot be ascertained, the affidavit must address that inability.

Notice of the sale of real property, specifying the matters and things required to be contained in the notice provided by Pa.R.C.P. 3129(a) and (c), shall also be given in writing by the plaintiff or some person on his behalf, by personal service on, or by certified mail, to the defendant in the writ and to the real owner or owners of the real property to be sold, at least 10 days prior to the sale.

CRITICALCivil cases

Required service of process, papers, or notices must follow Pa.R.C.P. 233, except as otherwise provided by law, rule, or special court order; in a capias action, service may also be made on the party's bail.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by Act of Assembly, rule or special order of Court, whenever any process, paper or notice is required to be served upon a party, such service shall be made in accordance with the procedure set forth in Pa.R.C.P. 233 (editor's note: now Pa.R.C.P. 440 and 441), except that in an action begun by capias, service may also be made upon his bail.

CRITICALCivil cases

For a warrant of attorney at least twenty years old, serve a rule to show cause on the defendant if found in the county; otherwise, serve it as directed by the Court or a judge in vacation.

When the warrant is twenty or more years old, a rule to show cause shall be served on the defendant, if to be found in the county; if not, it shall be served as directed by the Court or a judge in vacation.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Publication

If a notice is returned undelivered, the case list and termination notice must be published once in the Bucks County Law Reporter.

If any such notices are returned by the postal authorities as undelivered for any reason, the Court Administrator shall prepare a list of the cases involved and cause the same to be published one time in the Bucks County Law Reporter, together with a notice that said cases will be terminated 30 days after the date on which the list is published.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Concise statement of matters complained of

In direct appeals from this Court, appellant’s counsel must immediately serve the judge who issued the order or decree with a concise statement of the matters to be argued on appeal.

In all direct appeals to the Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth Courts of Pennsylvania from orders or decrees of this Court, appellant's counsel shall, immediately upon taking the appeal, serve upon the judge of this Court from whose order or decree the appeal was taken, a concise statement of the matters complained of and intended to be argued on appeal, so that an appropriate opinion may be prepared.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Electronic service

By registering to use the Electronic Filing System, a registrant agrees to accept electronic service of all notices, opinions, and orders from the Clerk or Court.

Registration for use of the Electronic Filing System shall constitute the registrant’s agreement, pursuant to Pa.O.C. Rule No. 4.5(a)(1), to accept service of all notices, opinions and orders from the Clerk or the Court via electronic means.

CRITICALCivil cases

The Court may set an adjourned or continued hearing when warranted by the evidence and require notice to absent persons whose consent may be required, regardless of when their filed consent was executed.

Notwithstanding this statement of general policy, the Court reserves the right in particular cases, as deemed necessary or appropriate from the evidence at the hearing, to fix an adjourned or continued further hearing and to require that due notice thereof be served upon any such person or persons who did not appear at the original hearing and whose consent may be required, regardless of the date of the execution of his or their filed consent.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Stenographic transcript

Upon request, the official court reporter must transcribe and file the stenographic transcript and furnish a copy to the defendant and District Attorney.

Upon such request, the official court reporter shall transcribe and file the stenographic transcript and furnish a copy thereof to the defendant and to the District Attorney.

CRITICALCivil cases

Serve notice of the hearing on all persons required by law at least 10 days beforehand and furnish proof of service at the hearing.

Written notice in the manner provided by law of the time and place of the hearing shall be served at least 10 days prior thereto upon all persons required by law to be notified, and due proof thereof shall be furnished at the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Short form complaint

A Short Form Complaint must be served in every asbestos case.

A Short Form Complaint containing the following information shall be filed and served in every asbestos case in accordance with Rules of this Court:

CRITICALCivil cases

A copy of exceptions must be served on the adverse party within four days or objections to the bill are waived.

A failure to file exceptions, and serve a copy thereof upon the adverse party within the four days shall be deemed a waiver of all objections to the bill filed.

CRITICALCivil cases

The specification of disputed items and reasons must be served on the adverse party for an appeal from taxation.

upon filing with his notice of appeal and serving upon the adverse party a specification of the items to which he excepts and the reasons therefor.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Omnibus pretrial motion

An omnibus pretrial motion must also be served within 30 days after arraignment.

Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure No. 307 permits you, or your attorney, to file an Omnibus Pretrial Motion for Relief which must be filed and served within thirty days after your arraignment date, unless opportunity therefore did not exist within the thirty day period, or your or your counsel, or the District Attorney, was not aware of the grounds for the motion or unless the time for filing has been extended by the Court for cause shown.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Additional reasons

A copy of the additional reasons must be served forthwith on the District Attorney and trial judge.

a copy thereof shall be forthwith served upon the District Attorney and the trial judge.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Post verdict motion

A copy of a motion for a new trial, in arrest of judgment, or for discharge for insufficiency of evidence must be served forthwith on the District Attorney.

*(f) A copy of a motion for new trial, in arrest of judgment or for discharge for insufficiency of evidence on the whole record shall be served forthwith upon the District Attorney.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Discovery motion

A discovery motion must also be served within 14 days after arraignment.

Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure No. 305 permits you, or your attorney, to file a motion for discovery which must be filed and served within fourteen (14) days after arraignment, unless the time for filing is extended by the Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Auditors or masters must notify all interested parties of record or their counsel personally or by mail on or before the day they file their reports, and attach proof of notice to the report.

Auditors or masters shall on or before the day of filing their reports give notice of the filing of the same personally or by mail to all interested parties of record or to their counsel of record. Proof of notice shall be attached to the report.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Mail

For service by mail, the defendant's signature on the return receipt must be identified; the plaintiff may provide that identification by affidavit.

Where service is made by mail, identification of defendant's signature on the return receipt shall be required. Such identification may be provided by an affidavit of the plaintiff.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Defendant briefs

A copy of the defendant’s briefs must be served forthwith on the District Attorney.

*(g) Within 30 days after the filing of the stenographic transcript, unless the time is extended by the trial judge for cause shown, the defendant shall file his briefs with the clerk and forthwith serve a copy thereof upon the District Attorney.

CRITICALCivil cases

At an audit or other estate proceeding, when a nonresident distributee's distribution might arguably be withheld for a lawful reason, notice of all facts and circumstances must be given to the attorney general, who will be asked to participate as amicus curiae.

When at the audit of an account or other proceeding in any estate in this Court, it appears that any distributee is a nonresident and that distribution to him might or should arguably be withheld for any lawful reason, notice of all of the facts and circumstances shall be given to the attorney general who will be requested to participate in the proceedings as amicus curiae.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Notice of filing and transcription request

Notice of the motion’s filing and a transcript request, with a copy of the motion, must be given to the trial judge and official court reporter, and proof must be filed of record.

Notice of the fact of filing of the motion, together with a request that the stenographic notes of the evidence taken at the trial be transcribed and filed, shall be given to the trial judge together with a copy of the motion, and to the official court reporter and proof thereof shall be filed of record.

CRITICALCivil cases

If no termination decree has been entered, also serve notice on the natural parent or other person whose consent is required, except in the stated circumstances involving recently executed consent or remote likelihood of revocation.

If a decree of termination has not been entered, such notice shall also be served upon the natural parent or parents or other persons whose consent is required by law even though his or their consents be attached to the Report of the Intermediary, or the Petition for Adoption, unless such consents have been executed within 30 days prior to the filing of the petition for adoption, or unless by reason of particular circumstances appearing at the hearing the likelihood of revocation of such filed consent appears to be remote.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service must comply with the timing requirements of Bucks County Rule of Civil Procedure 233*(d), and service must be established by appropriate affidavit for the rule to be made absolute when no response has been filed.

Service of the rule shall be made subject to the time requirements of Bucks County Rule of Civil Procedure 233*(d). When no response has been filed and service has been established by appropriate affidavit, the prothonotary, upon praecipe, shall make the rule absolute.

CRITICALCivil cases

A copy of the family-exemption petition must be served promptly on the personal representative.

and a copy thereof shall be forthwith served upon the personal representative.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Short form joinder complaint

The Short Form Joinder Complaint must be filed and served in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.

d) The Short Form Joinder Complaint must be filed and served in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Bill of particulars request

A written bill-of-particulars request may be served on the District Attorney within seven days after arraignment.

Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure No. 304 permits you or your attorney to serve a written request for a bill of particulars upon the District Attorney of Bucks County within seven days from your arraignment date.

CRITICALCivil cases

A copy of the witness-attendance bill of costs must be served on the other party.

Bills of costs for attendance of witnesses at court, either at law or in equity, when a cause is continued, tried or marked not reached, must be filed within ten days after the continuance, trial or failure to be reached, and a copy thereof served on the other party.

WARNINGCivil cases

Notice of an emergency-application conference or hearing must be transmitted to all counsel and unrepresented parties as the assigned judge directs.

Notice of the scheduling of such conference or hearing shall be transmitted to all counsel and unrepresented parties as directed by the assigned judge.

WARNINGCivil cases

The court must mail or use an equally appropriate delivery method to provide the trial list to counsel of record or unrepresented parties in each listed case.

The publishing of the trial list shall be accomplished by mailing or other equally appropriate delivery of a copy thereof to each counsel of record, or to each party who has no counsel of record, with respect to all cases appearing thereon.

WARNINGCivil cases

A recipient who wishes to pursue discovery must send a discovery notice to all counsel and unrepresented parties within 15 days after service of the certification notice.

Within fifteen days after the service thereof, the attorney or party receiving the certification notice shall state his intention to pursue discovery, if he so desires, by sending to all counsel and any unrepresented parties, a discovery notice.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Service

Electronic service

Establishing a PACFile account constitutes consent to electronic filing and to electronic service of PACFile-filed documents in any judicial district that permits electronic filing.

Pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 576.1(D)(2), establishment of a PACFile account constitutes consent to participate in electronic filing, including acceptance of service electronically of any document filed on the PACFile system in any judicial district that permits electronic filing.

WARNING

The auditor must give the parties or their attorneys written notice of the hearing’s time and place two weeks in advance, and may not give notice by public advertisement.

The auditor shall give two weeks' notice in writing to the parties or their attorneys of record of the time and place fixed for hearing the matter, but notice thereof is not to be given by public advertisement.

WARNINGCivil cases

Service

Publication

If there are no known next of kin who are sui juris to receive notice, the Court may require public notice by special order in the case, if appropriate.

when there are no known next of kin who are sui juris to whom notice may be given, public notice in accordance with Bucks Rule 12.9C 1, may be required as the Court shall by special order in each case designate, if appropriate;

WARNING

Service

Publication

An adversely affected party or other creditor may seek to change the selected publication newspaper upon cause shown, and the Court or a judge in vacation may change the designation on application or on its own motion.

The defendant or other party to the proceeding adversely affected, or other creditors, may apply to the Court, or a judge in vacation, to change the additional newspaper or newspapers so selected for publication upon cause shown. The designation of such additional newspaper or newspapers made by the parties may be disregarded and the order changed by the Court, or a judge in vacation, upon application, or of its own motion.

WARNING

When the auditor’s report is ready for filing, notice must be given to the parties’ attorneys of record or, if none, to the parties.

When the auditor has prepared his report, notice that it is ready for filing shall be given to the attorneys of record for the parties or, if none, to the parties.

WARNING

The defendant must promptly notify the plaintiff’s attorney of record, or the plaintiff if unrepresented, that the account statement was filed.

giving notice forthwith to the attorney of record for plaintiff, or, if none, to the plaintiff, that this has been done.

WARNING

Service

Publication

Additional required publication must use a newspaper designated by the Court; when no designation exists, the plaintiff, requesting party, or counsel may name a newspaper for a special order, subject to the stated circulation and legal requirements unless cause is shown.

Whenever any notice including advertisements of judicial sales, writs, rules or orders whatever, shall be required by law, rule or order of the Court to be published in any newspaper in addition to the legal periodical, such additional publication shall be made in the newspaper or newspapers designated by the Court, by general rule or such special order as from time to time may be made. In all cases where no designation shall have been made or provided for by general rule or order of court, the plaintiff in the action, or party procuring the rule or order, or his attorney of record, may endorse upon his praecipe, petition or motion the additional newspaper or newspapers in which he desires the notice or advertisement to be inserted; whereupon, a special order designating the newspaper or newspapers named shall issue as of course; provided that unless cause be shown, only newspapers of general circulation within the county and meeting the requirements of law shall be so designated.

WARNINGCivil cases

A document filed in the Master Asbestos docket may be incorporated by reference only after copies are produced to all other interested counsel.

Once a pleading, motion, order or other document is filed in this docket and copies are produced to all other interested counsel involved in the asbestos litigation, the pleading, motion, order or other document may be incorporated by reference either orally before the Court or within another properly filed pleading, motion, order or other documents.

WARNING

The court may act upon such applications forthwith and ex parte if all interested parties join therein or if the court is satisfied that the interests of all parties would be served and protected thereby, or may require notice thereof by citation or otherwise, to be served upon all interested parties before action thereon in such particular cases as it shall, by special order, direct.

The court may act upon such applications forthwith and ex parte if all interested parties join therein or if the court is satisfied that the interests of all parties would be served and protected thereby, or may require notice thereof by citation or otherwise, to be served upon all interested parties before action thereon in such particular cases as it shall, by special order, direct.

INFOCivil cases

Applies to

Rule to show cause

If the Court issues a rule to show cause, it may forward a copy to the petitioner for service on all respondents.

(1) At its discretion, the Court may issue a rule to show cause and forward a copy of same to the petitioner for service on all respondents.

INFO

By special order in particular cases, the Court may require notice to be served by citation or otherwise on all parties in interest before acting.

or may require notice thereof by citation or otherwise, to be served upon all parties in interest before action thereon in such particular cases as it shall, by special order, direct.