Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 591 rules apply across Dauphin 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 247
  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    The proposed order must authorize the petitioner to enter a settlement and release, state the total settlement amount, and completely describe the distribution of those funds as proposed in the petition.

  • Applies to
    Preliminary objections

    A request for discovery needed to dispose of Preliminary Objections must be included in the Preliminary Objections or the answer, and the Assigned Judge must address it in the scheduling order.

  • Applies to
    Certificate of readiness

    A party filing a Certificate of Readiness must use the most current form, and failure to do so will result in rejection.

Service

All 99
  • Applies to
    Notice of relocation

    A relocating party must send a Notice of Relocation and Counter-Affidavit to every other person with custodial rights.

  • Applies to
    Post trial motion

    Copies of civil post-trial motions must be filed with the Prothonotary, delivered to the trial judge, and served upon all adverse parties.

  • The filing party must serve filed documents under the applicable rules of court because the EFS does not provide a service component.

Filing Timing

All 74

  • Within five business days after court proceedings conclude, the Court Crier must file all documentary exhibits and related photographs with the records office.

  • The external hard drive for digital exhibits must be submitted with the Exhibits and Index of Exhibits when filing with the records office.

  • Documents filed electronically are due by 11:59:59 p.m. EST/EDT on their deadline date.

Fees

All 67
  • Applies to
    E-filing fees

    E-filing fees may be paid by Discover, MasterCard, or Visa credit card.

  • Applies to
    Future filing

    The Prothonotary does not accept advance deposits for future filing fees.

  • Payment errors must be reported to the Prothonotary’s Office as soon as possible and no later than 45 days after the payment date.

More categories

View all Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas rules
About Judge Andrew H. Dowling

Elected to the bench November 2009. Retained November 2019. Graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School, Lafayette College and the Dickinson School of Law. Judge Dowling began his legal career as a Dauphin County Deputy District Attorney. Thereafter, he had a distinguished career as a trial lawyer with the Harrisburg law firm of Mette, Evans and Woodside. While engaged as a litigation attorney, he became Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial AdvocacyBorn in Harrisburg and a lifelong resident of Dauphin County, he has one brother and four sisters. Judge Dowling is a devoted father to his nineteen-year-old son, Jack. Jack was an accomplished swimmer as a child, medaling in USA Jr. Olympics and Eastern Zones, as well as in high school, qualifying for District III Finals. Judge Dowling had been involved in a variety of professional and community organizations. He was on the Executive Board of the Keystone Area Council (Boy Scouts) and served as Treasurer for Inspired Recreation, a community based organization that raised money and organized the community to build an innovative playground accessible to children with disabilities. Judge Dowling has been involved with the Toastmasters (President; Area Governor), a non-profit international organization that promotes public speaking and leadership skills. He also has served on the Board of Directors of his church where he was President; he has served on the Board of Directors of a community group providing food to the needy; and in the past volunteered as an assistant T-Ball and Soccer Coach in Lower Paxton Township.

**Address:** Dauphin County Courthouse, 101 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 **Telephone:** (717) 780-6650 **Fax:** (717) 780-6658 **Courtroom:** #5, Third Floor **Judicial Assistant:** Vasilka Mihailoff (vmihailoff@dauphincounty.gov) **Law Clerk:** Heather Verchick (hverchick@dauphincounty.gov) **Crier:** Greg Smith (gsmith@dauphincounty.gov)

Common questions about Judge Andrew H. Dowling's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Andrew H. Dowling?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for case dispositive motions and briefs. Details: delivery upon filing. A courtesy copy of dispositive motions filed with briefs must be served on Judge Dowling’s Chambers.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Andrew H. Dowling?

Judge Andrew H. Dowling's formatting rule includes preferred format for motions for rule absolute attached as exhibit 2.. A preferred format for motions for Rule Absolute is provided as Exhibit 2.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Motions/Petitions/Applications

What must be included with certificate of readiness filings before Judge Andrew H. Dowling?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A Certificate of Readiness stating whether oral argument is requested must be filed before a dispositive motion is assigned for disposition.

View ruleSource: page 1, section CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER

What must be included with pretrial memorandum filings before Judge Andrew H. Dowling?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Pre-trial memoranda must name all witnesses, attach all expert reports, and identify agreed and desired stipulations.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER

How may parties contact Judge Andrew H. Dowling's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Andrew H. Dowling's chambers. The rule lists email vmihailoff@dauphincounty.gov. Plaintiff’s attorney must immediately notify Chambers and Court Administration by email if the case settles.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Andrew H. Dowling?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. A party may request an extension or modification of scheduling or trial deadlines for good cause or by agreement of the parties.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER

What rule applies to service for rule to show cause before Judge Andrew H. Dowling?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties. Counsel for the moving party must serve the rule to show cause on all parties, and the rule is returnable the stated number of days after service.

View ruleSource: page 1, section RULE TO SHOW CAUSE
Complete rules summary for Judge Andrew H. Dowling

A Certificate of Readiness stating whether oral argument is requested must be filed before a dispositive motion is assigned for disposition.

A courtesy copy of dispositive motions filed with briefs must be served on Judge Dowling’s Chambers.

A courtesy copy of briefs responding to dispositive motions must be served on Judge Dowling’s Chambers.

A courtesy copy of motions in limine filed with briefs must be served on Judge Dowling’s Chambers.

A courtesy copy of briefs responding to motions in limine must be served on Judge Dowling’s Chambers.

A courtesy copy of each pre-trial memorandum must be served on Judge Dowling’s Chambers.

Pre-trial memoranda must name all witnesses, attach all expert reports, and identify agreed and desired stipulations.

Plaintiff’s attorney must immediately notify Chambers and Court Administration by email if the case settles.

A party may request an extension or modification of scheduling or trial deadlines for good cause or by agreement of the parties.

A preferred template for the Rule to Show Cause is provided as Exhibit 1.

The distribution list must identify or reference the lead attorney and the represented party.

The distribution list must include an email address for every attorney and pro se litigant.

A motion must be accompanied by an order addressing the relief sought.

When applicable, a Rule to Show Cause must also be attached.

A motion that references or seeks modification of a prior order must attach that prior order.

A motion must state whether the moving party concurs or does not concur.

A preferred format for motions for Rule Absolute is provided as Exhibit 2.

An attached order must not be labeled as proposed so the court may sign it when appropriate.

A party must file a Certificate of Readiness before the assigned judge will receive the matter.

A courtesy copy of any praecipe must be provided to chambers immediately upon filing.

Parties must bring the Points for Charge to the pre-trial conference.

The courtroom clerk crier may be emailed at gsmith@dauphincounty.gov to schedule a pre-trial courtroom and equipment technology viewing.

A continuance request should be made immediately upon receipt of the scheduling order rather than at the last minute.

Counsel for the moving party must serve the rule to show cause on all parties, and the rule is returnable the stated number of days after service.

A Motion to Make Rule Absolute must include evidence demonstrating compliance with applicable service requirements.

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