Court of Common Pleas of Chester County, Pennsylvania Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

Counsel and parties must not engage in ex parte communications with the mediator about substantive mediation issues; scheduling communications are excepted.

Counsel and/or the parties shall not engage in or participate in ex parte communications with the mediator regarding substantive issues which relate to the mediation. Communications regarding scheduling are not subject to this rule.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel who knows at filing that a related claim is pending must notify the court administrator in writing.

If, at the time of the filing of any civil action or proceeding, counsel is aware that a related claim is pending, counsel shall so notify the court administrator in writing.

CRITICAL

During jury deliberations, counsel must tell the tipstaff where they are and remain available with their clients to return to court on five minutes’ notice.

During jury deliberations, counsel shall let the tipstaff on duty know where they are, and shall be available, with their clients, to return to the court on five (5) minutes' notice.

CRITICAL

Counsel must keep the Criminal Court Administrator informed of changes in the case's status.

Counsel shall be required to keep the Criminal Court Administrator advised of changes in the status of the case.

CRITICALCivil cases

A party withdrawing post-trial motions or exceptions, or terminating an appeal, must immediately advise in writing the judge whose decision was challenged.

Whenever post-trial motions or exceptions are withdrawn or an appeal is terminated by a party, that party shall immediately advise in writing the judge whose decision, order, or adjudication was being challenged.

CRITICAL

Counsel representing the defendant or calling the witness must notify the Court Administrator’s Office at least 24 hours before a proceeding when an interpreter is needed.

It shall be the responsibility of counsel representing the defendant, or calling the witness, to notify the Court Administrator’s Office, not less than twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the proceeding, when an interpreter will be needed.

CRITICAL

Counsel must not copy the judge on correspondence between counsel.

Do not copy the judge on correspondence between counsel.

CRITICALCivil cases

The defendant must contact the assigned mediator within three days of receiving the papers to schedule mediation orientation.

You are ordered to contact the Mediator assigned to your case within three (3) days of receiving these papers to schedule mediation orientation.

CRITICAL

When counsel requests use of the court’s electronic equipment or services, arrangements must be made with the Department of Computer and Information Services at least 48 hours before the hearing or trial.

Where use of the court’s electronic equipment or services is requested, arrangements must be made with the Department of Computer and Information Services at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the hearing/trial date.

CRITICAL

From jury selection through discharge, counsel must avoid contact with individual jurors and advise their parties and witnesses to do likewise.

From the time the jury is selected until it is discharged, counsel shall avoid all forms of contact with the individual jurors, and shall advise their parties and witnesses to do the same.

CRITICAL

Notify the Court Administrator’s office at least one week before trial about requests for additional counsel tables or other special seating or visual-aid arrangements.

If there is a request for more than one counsel table for all plaintiffs or defendants, or any other special requests for seating, visual aids, etc., notify the Court Administrator's office at least one (1) week before trial.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email

Interpreter requests must be submitted using the court’s interpreter-request form or by email to the specified address.

(2) Requests for interpreters shall be made by going to http://www.chesco.org/formcenter/Courts- 39/interpreter-request-form-166, completing the template and submitting the request, or e-mailing intrpcalcta@chesco.org.

CRITICAL

Contact

Phone to clerk

For an interpreter-request cancellation made less than 48 hours before the scheduled hearing, the party must call the Court as well as email.

If the cancellation is less than forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled hearing, the party shall call the Court in addition to e-mail.

WARNING

Counsel should contact the appropriate administrative office about procedural questions or filings and should complete research on a question before contacting an office.

Counsel should contact the appropriate administrative office concerning procedural questions or filings, and counsel should ensure complete research into any question raised before contacting any office.

WARNING

Jury views are discouraged but permitted if counsel makes advance arrangements with the court.

Although jury views are not encouraged, they may be done with advance arrangements by counsel with the court.

WARNING

If no litigation has commenced, minors’ compromise and wrongful death claims should be scheduled through the Orphans Court Administrator.

Minors Compromises/Wrongful Death Claims should be scheduled through the Orphans Court Administrator if no litigation has been commenced.

WARNING

Counsel should not instruct the court reporter or impose requirements on the reporter.

Counsel should not issue instructions to or impose requirements upon the reporter.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Phone

Phone

610-344-6405

Individuals seeking information about accessible facilities or reasonable accommodations should contact Family Court Administration, and arrangements must be made at least 72 hours before a hearing or other court business.

For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact Family Court Administration at 610- 344-6405. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the court.

WARNING

Counsel should direct requests concerning the court reporter to the court, which may issue instructions to the reporter as appropriate.

Counsel should direct their requests to the court and, if appropriate, the court will issue instructions to the reporter.

WARNING

Conferences should be scheduled through the judge’s secretary.

Conferences should be scheduled through the judge’s secretary.

WARNING

Contact the court office for information about accessibility accommodations, and make all arrangements at least 72 hours before a hearing or other court business.

For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact our office. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the court.

WARNINGCivil cases

An arbitrator-registration applicant must immediately report any change in the reported status to the Court Administrator's office.

Any change in his or her status in this regard shall immediately be reported to the office of the Court Administrator.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact the court office about accessibility or reasonable accommodations, and make all arrangements at least 72 hours before a hearing or other court business.

For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact our office. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the court.

WARNING

Scheduling questions should go to the Court Administrator’s office unless special circumstances require contacting the judge’s secretary.

Scheduling questions should be directed to the Court Administrator's office, unless special circumstances require that contact be made with the judge’s secretary.

WARNING

Counsel who will be late should contact the judge’s chambers as soon as possible and tell the judicial secretary when counsel expects to arrive.

Lateness for court will not be tolerated; however, if counsel is going to be late for a court proceeding, counsel should contact the judge’s chambers as soon as possible and advise the judicial secretary of your expected arrival.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Phone

Phone

610-344-6405

To inquire about accessible facilities or reasonable accommodations, contact Family Court Administration, and make all arrangements at least 72 hours before a hearing or other court business.

For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact Family Court Administration at 610-344-6405. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the court.

WARNING

Counsel should alert opposing counsel when counsel anticipates a significant question of law or evidence during trial.

If counsel has reason to anticipate that a significant question of law or evidence will arise during trial, counsel should alert opposing counsel,

INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

A judge may request that points for charge be emailed to the judge’s secretary in an appropriate format.

Individual judges may request that points for charge be e-mailed to the judge’s secretary in an appropriate format.

INFO

Contact

Phone

An administrative conference may be held by telephone if all parties request it and the court agrees.

Administrative conferences may be held telephonically at the request of all parties and the agreement of the court.

INFO

Information about the Mediation Program may be obtained from the Clerk or the Orphans’ Court Administrator.

Information regarding the Mediation Program may be obtained from the Chester County Orphans’ Court Administrator or the Clerk.

INFO

Questions about pre-trial filings may be directed to the pre-trial clerks, not the judge’s clerk.

Specific questions about pre-trial filings, including motions, petitions and applications, may be addressed with the pre-trial clerks (the judge's clerk is not a pre-trial clerk).

INFO

Contact

Phone

An officer may verify the existence of a protection order by phone or radio with appropriate police, the PSP Database, or the court when necessary.

A police officer may arrest a defendant for violation of a protection order upon probable cause which shall be supplied by the victim, officer, other witnesses or combination thereof. If necessary, the officer may verify the existence of said order by phone or radio with the appropriate police, PSP Database or court.

INFO

Contact

Phone

Phone

610-344-6985

Counsel may call the Office of Court Reporting at 610-344-6985 to determine the assigned court reporter.

The assignment of the applicable court reporter to a particular trial is generally known at least one week in advance and can be determined by calling the office of court reporting at 610-344-6985.

WARNING

Phone

610-344-6405

Contact Family Court Administration by phone for accessibility or accommodation information, and make arrangements at least 72 hours before the hearing or other court business.

For information about accessible facilities and reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the court, please contact Family Court Administration at 610-344-6405. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing or business before the court.