Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas Filing Timing and Cure Windows

A party filing a Certificate of Readiness must use the most current form, and the Prothonotary will reject a filing that uses an outdated form.

Parties filing a Certificate of Readiness form must ensure that the most current form is utilized. Failure to utilize the most current form shall result in the rejection of the Certificate of Readiness.

Each other party must file a responsive brief within 30 days after service of the appellant’s brief.

Each other party shall file a responsive brief within thirty (30) days after service of appellant’s brief.

The local agency must submit its entire record within 20 days after the later of receiving the writ of certiorari or the transcripts.

The local agency shall submit its entire record within twenty (20) days after receipt of the writ of certiorari or receipt of the transcript(s), whichever is later

If the appellant does not provide the transcript within 45 days after filing the appeal, the local agency must submit the record with a certification explaining that the transcript was not provided and why.

In the event that the appellant has not provided the local agency with a transcript within forty- five (45) days of the filing of the appeal, the local agency shall submit its record to the Prothonotary with a certification that a transcript has not been provided and the reason.

The appellant must file the opening brief within 60 days after service of notice that the local agency’s complete record was filed.

The appellant shall file a brief within sixty (60) days after service of notice of the filing of the local agency’s complete record.

When the District Attorney determines that the allegations support contempt, the complaint must be docketed by 11:00 a.m. on the next business day.

the District Attorney shall docket the complaint with the Prothonotary by 11:00 a.m. of the next business day

When probable cause is found, the court must schedule a hearing within ten days after filing the private criminal complaint.

The court shall schedule a hearing within ten (10) days of the filing of the private criminal complaint if the Judge finds the probable cause exists.

The Magisterial District Judge must cause the complaint to reach the Prothonotary by 11:00 a.m. on the next business day.

The Magisterial District Judge shall cause the complaint to be forwarded to the Prothonotary by 11:00 a.m. of the next business day

The judge must schedule a hearing within ten days after filing the private criminal complaint.

The Judge shall schedule a hearing within ten (10) days of the filing of the private criminal complaint.

The Confidential Information Form must accompany the Petition for Civil Contempt of a Custody Order.

This form must be filed with the Petition for Civil Contempt of a Custody Order.

A self-represented party must file a new Entry of Appearance with the Prothonotary whenever the party changes address.

This form must be filed with the Prothonotary every time you change your address.

The signed and dated Self-Represented Party Entry of Appearance must be filed simultaneously with the petition.

SIGN AND DATE the form and file this at the same time you file your petition.

An updated verification form must be filed with the Prothonotary within 14 days after a change in circumstance or five days before a court proceeding, whichever occurs first.

The updated Criminal Record/Abuse History Verification form shall be filed with the Prothonotary within fourteen (14) days of any change in circumstance, or five (5) days prior to any court proceeding, whichever occurs first.

The documents required for previously raised economic claims must be filed within ten days after the order if they have not already been filed.

If economic claims have been raised of record in this case, to the extent not already filed, the non-moving party shall have ten (10) days from the date of this Order to file the documents required by Pa.R.C.P. 1920.31(a) and Pa.R.C.P. 1920.33(a).

The supporting statement is due within ten days after filing the Praecipe.

Within ten (10) days after filing the Praecipe for Writ of Certiorari, the party filing the writ shall file and serve on all other parties a concise statement of those specific jurisdictional and/or gross irregularities relied upon in support of the issuance of the writ and the relief sought.

If no response is filed within 30 days after service, the moving party must file a motion for default judgment with the Prothonotary.

If a response is not filed within thirty (30) days from service, the moving party shall file a Motion for Default Judgment with the Prothonotary.

A response to Preliminary Objections must be filed within twenty days after service.

(2) Any response shall be filed within twenty days after service of the Preliminary Objections.

When a response is filed, the supporting brief is due within twenty days after service of the response, and failure to timely file it results in deemed withdrawal upon the responding party's praecipe.

(3) (i) If a response is filed, a brief in support of the Preliminary Objections shall be filed within twenty days after service of the response. If a brief in support is not filed within twenty days after service of the response, the Preliminary Objections shall be deemed withdrawn by the Prothonotary upon praecipe of the responding party.

Deadline

30 calendar days

The written notice concerning the discovery default must be sent by certified mail at least 30 calendar days before a motion for sanctions is filed.

the default, in writing, filed within five calendar days of receipt of the motion, shall be sent to counsel for the defaulting party(ies), if represented, otherwise to the defaulting party(ies), by certified mail, return receipt requested, at least thirty days before filing a Motion for Sanctions.

When a party or nonparty fails to appear for a duly noticed deposition and no protective order exists, a sanctions motion may be filed immediately without further notice.

When a party or nonparty fails to appear for a duly noticed deposition, and no Protective Order has been obtained, a Motion for Sanctions may be filed immediately and without further notice.

Unused escrow funds may be refunded to the tenant after 30 days from expiration of applicable appeal rights, upon a praecipe that is filed and served.

Any portion of the escrowed funds not used for such purpose shall, after thirty (30) days from the date of the expiration of the any applicable appeal rights, be refunded to the tenant upon praecipe duly filed and served.

The Board of View must file its report with the Prothonotary within 120 days after appointment unless the appointing order sets another time or the Court extends the time for cause shown.

The Chairman of the Board of View shall file its report with the Prothonotary within one hundred twenty (120) days after the appointment, unless another time has been fixed in the order by which the Board of View is appointed, or the Court extends the time for filing upon cause shown.

When no response is filed, the supporting brief is due within forty days after service, and failure to timely file it results in deemed withdrawal upon the responding party's praecipe.

(ii) If no response is filed, a brief in support of the Preliminary Objections shall be filed within forty days after service of the Preliminary Objections. If no response is filed and a brief in support of the Preliminary Objections is not filed within forty days after service of the Preliminary Objections, the Preliminary Objections shall be deemed withdrawn by the Prothonotary upon praecipe of the responding party.

Deadline

10 calendar days

Requests for daily, expedited, or same-day transcripts must be filed at least ten days before the scheduled proceeding.

(C) A request for daily, expedited, or same-day transcripts shall be filed in the appropriate filing office (Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans’ Court and/or Domestic Relations) at least ten (10) days before the scheduled proceeding.

Exceptions to the report and recommendation must be filed with the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court within twenty days after receipt of the Rule 9.6(a) notice.

Any exceptions to the report and recommendation shall be filed with the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court within twenty days after receipt of the notice required by Rule 9.6(a) and served on the attorney for each interested party and the master or auditor.

Exceptions may not be filed after the twenty-day period expires unless the Court grants leave for good cause shown.

No exceptions may be filed after the expiration of the twenty days without leave of Court for good cause shown.

If no exceptions are filed, the Clerk must forward the file to the Court Administrator’s Office for assignment to a judge, and the report and recommendation must be confirmed absolutely.

If no exceptions have been filed, the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court shall forward the file to the Court Administrator’s Office for assignment to a judge and the report and recommendation shall be confirmed absolutely.

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

(ii) file all documentary exhibits, photographs, and photographs of non- documentary exhibits with the records office within five (5) business days of the conclusion of the court proceedings; and

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

The filing deadline for any document filed electronically shall be 11:59:59 p.m. EST/EDT on the date it is due.

An accepted legal paper is deemed filed when it was received by the EFS, not when the Prothonotary approved it.

If a legal paper is accepted for filing by the Prothonotary, it shall be deemed to have been filed the date and time it was received by the EFS.

Deadline

10 calendar days

A registered user who believes EFS unavailability prevented timely filing may file a motion within 10 days of the attempted filing, stating the first unsuccessful attempt’s date and time and why the delay was prejudicial.

If a registered user believes the unavailability of the EFS prevented a timely filing, the registered user may file a motion within ten (10) days of the registered user’s attempt to file the document. The motion shall state the date and time of the first unsuccessful attempt to file the document electronically and why the delay was prejudicial.

A party seeking a reduced Parenting Coordinator fee must file the request and affidavit using the court forms within 10 days of the appointment order, absent good cause.

Any party seeking a reduced fee under section (g) below must file with the Prothonotary a Request for Reduced Parenting Coordinator Fee and the accompanying affidavit using the forms found at http://www.dauphincounty.org/government/courts/self_help_center/index.php within ten (10) days of the appointment order absent good cause shown.

A response with an opposition brief must be filed within thirty days after service of the motion and supporting brief.

(2) A response with brief in opposition shall be filed within thirty days after service of the Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings and brief in support.

A response with an opposition brief must be filed within thirty days after service of the summary-judgment motion.

(2) A response with brief in opposition to the Motion for Summary Judgment shall be filed within thirty days after service of the Motion for Summary Judgment.

A Parenting Coordinator must file the Summary and Recommendations within 2 days after the last communication with the parties on the issues.

A Parenting Coordinator shall file their Summary and Recommendations with the Prothonotary within two (2) days after the last communication with the parties on the issues in accordance with Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.11-1 (g)(2).

Objections and the Petition for a Record Hearing must be filed within 5 days of service of the Summary and Recommendations.

A party objecting to the Recommendations must file with the Prothonotary an original and copy of their Objections and a Petition for a Record Hearing before the Court within five days of service of the Summary and Recommendations together with a Proof of Service upon all parties and the Parenting Coordinator.

If no objections are filed within 5 days of service, the Prothonotary must transmit the file for court review of the Parenting Coordinator's Recommendation.

If no objections to the Parenting Coordinator’s Recommendation are filed with the Prothonotary within five days of service of the Summary and Recommendation, the Prothonotary shall transmit the file to the Court Administrator’s Office to be assigned to the parties’ Family Court Judge or if none, to any Family Court Judge for review of the Recommendation in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 1915.11-1(g)(4).

Appellant’s counsel must file the statement of matters complained of on the record immediately upon taking the appeal.

appellant’s counsel shall, immediately upon taking the appeal, file of record a concise statement of the matters complained of and intended to be argued on appeal

The Pre-Trial Statement must be filed no later than five days before the judge’s Pre-Trial Conference.

No later than five (5) days prior to the Pre-Trial Conference with a Judge, all parties shall file a Pre-Trial Statement and serve copies on all other parties or their legal counsel.

The updated Pre-Trial Statement must be filed no later than five days before a judge’s Custody Trial.

No later than five (5) days prior to a Custody Trial before a Judge, the parties shall file an updated Pre-Trial Statement and serve copies on all other parties or their legal counsel which shall include the items listed above and any additional items as directed by the Judge.

Deadline

20 calendar days

In an uncontested action, the Divorce Hearing Officer must file the Report and Recommendation and Proposed Order within 20 days after the hearing.

The Divorce Hearing Officer shall file a Report and Recommendation and Proposed Order with the Prothonotary within twenty (20) days in uncontested actions

Deadline

30 calendar days

In a contested action, the Divorce Hearing Officer must file the Report and Recommendation and Proposed Order within 30 days after the hearing.

or thirty (30) days in contested actions from the date of the hearing

Each party in a case listed for civil jury trial must file its pre-trial statement no later than seven days before the pre-trial conference.

Each party to an action which has been listed for civil jury trial shall file a pre-trial statement pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 no later than seven days prior to the date set for the pre-trial conference.

A request for a trial-list preference must be made by application and filed with the Prothonotary at least three weeks before the first day of the trial session.

Such preference shall be presented in the form of an application for preference. The application must be filed with the Prothonotary at least three weeks prior to the first day of the trial session.

A Certificate of Readiness filed with a noncurrent form is rejected.

Parties filing a Certificate of Readiness form must ensure that the most current form is utilized. Failure to utilize the most current form shall result in the rejection of the Certificate of Readiness.

In cases estimated to last longer than five days, the Administrative Application for Status Conference is mandatory once it is known or believed the trial may exceed five days and must be filed as soon as that is known or believed.

An Administrative Application for Status Conference shall be filed in all cases that are estimated to last longer than five days (jury selection through a reasonable period of jury deliberation) as soon as it is known or believed that the trial of the case may exceed that period of time.

After 30 days from expiration of applicable appeal rights, unused escrow funds are refunded upon a praecipe that has been duly filed and served.

Any portion of the escrowed funds not used for such purpose shall, after thirty (30) days from the date of the expiration of the any applicable appeal rights, be refunded to the tenant upon praecipe duly filed and served.

Exceptions to the appointed special-capacity officer’s report may be filed within ten days after service on the parties.

(c) upon filing his report with the Court, serve a copy thereof forthwith on the parties, to which exceptions may be filed within ten (10) days after service.

The Magisterial District Judge must certify and file the proceeding with the Prothonotary’s Office by 11:00 AM on the day court business resumes.

The Magisterial District Judge shall certify and file the proceeding with the Prothonotary’s Office no later than 11:00 AM on the day of the resumption of the business of the Court.

The statement of matters complained of must be filed within 14 days after filing the notice of appeal.

In every appeal from an order or decree of this Court taken directly to an appellate court, appellant shall file of record a concise statement of the matters complained of on appeal no later than 14 days after filing notice of appeal.

After reviewing an electronic submission, the Clerk will issue a Notice of Filing, Notice of Fee, or Notice of Rejection, and a Notice of Filing does not establish the Court’s acceptance.

The Clerk of the Orphans’ Court will review the documents submitted electronically and will provide the filing party with a Notice of Filing, a Notice of Fee, or a Notice of Rejection. A Notice of Filing does not constitute acceptance of the filing by the Court of Common Pleas.

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

The external had drive shall be submitted with the Exhibits and Index of Exhibits at the time of filing to the records office.

Choosing self-representation does not delay any stage of the proceeding unless good cause is shown.

The assertion of self-representation shall not delay any stage of the proceeding, absent good cause shown.

A party may request a status conference within 30 days after notice that the complete record has been filed if the party believes the appeal is not ready for disposition.

Within thirty (30) days after the Prothonotary gives notice of the filing of the complete return of the record, any party who believes the appeal is not ready for disposition may file an Administration Application for Status Conference pursuant to Local Rule 215.3.

The appellant and any party supporting the appellant’s position may file a reply brief within 15 days after service of the responsive brief.

The appellant, and any party which supports appellant’s position, may file a reply brief within fifteen (15) days after service of the responsive brief.

Counsel must provide the court with proof of the settlement deposit within ten days after the order's date.

Counsel shall provide to the Court, within ten (10) days from the date of this order proof of such deposit.

Objections filed after the Annual Court Calendar deadlines will not be considered except in extraordinary circumstances with extremely good cause.

Objections filed after the timelines established in the Annual Court Calendar will not be entertained, except in extraordinary circumstances for extremely good cause shown.

Copies of the final trial list must be available in the Court Administrator's Office at least one week before the first day of the jury trial session.

Copies of the trial list shall be available in the Court Administrator’s Office at least one (1) week prior to the first day of the session of jury trials.

A party may file a concise answer to a sanctions motion within 10 days after service of the motion.

A concise Answer to the Motion is permitted if filed within ten days of service of a copy of the Motion for Sanctions.

The Deputy Court Administrator must file a report of the prior month's summary ARD applications and dispositions with the Clerk of Courts by the fifth of each month under an MD docket.

By the 5th of each month, the Deputy Court Administrator for Magisterial District Judges will file a report with the Clerk of Courts of all summary ARD applications and dispositions for the prior month. The reports will be filed under an MD docket.

A brief in opposition may be filed twenty days after service of the supporting brief.

(4) Any brief in opposition shall be filed twenty days after service of any brief in support of the Preliminary Objections which may have been filed.

If the Preliminary Objections are deemed withdrawn, the objecting party may file an answer within twenty days after service of the praecipe as though the objections had never been filed.

(7) If the Preliminary Objections are deemed withdrawn, the objecting party shall have the right to file an answer to the pleading to which the preliminary objection were filed within twenty days after service of the aforementioned praecipe as if the Preliminary Objections had never been filed.

An opposing party may file and serve an appropriate response within ten days after service of the supporting statement.

The opposing party(ies) may, within ten (10) days of service of the supporting statement, file and serve any responding statement deemed appropriate.

After the stated requirements are met or the permitted filing period has elapsed, either party may file an original and one copy of a Certificate of Readiness with the Prothonotary.

When all requirements set forth above have been met or the time permitted for filing the supporting statement and any response thereto has elapsed, either party may file an original and one copy of a Certificate of Readiness with the Prothonotary.

In an emergency, a party may request an expedited transcript by oral motion, subject to approval by the trial judge and chief court reporter, and must file the Request for Transcript form the next business day if the motion is granted.

In the event of an emergency, a party may request by oral motion a daily, expedited, or same-day transcript. This request will be accommodated upon approval of the trial judge and the chief court reporter. If an oral motion for a daily, expedited, or same-day transcript is granted, a Request for Transcript form must be filed the next business day.

A legal paper submitted without required fees is deemed accepted for filing when payment is received.

If a legal paper is submitted without the requisite fees, the legal paper shall be deemed to have been accepted for filing as of the date payment is received.

A reply brief is optional but, if filed, must be filed within ten days after service of the response and opposition brief.

(3) A Reply Brief, although not required, may be filed within ten days of service of the Response with brief in opposition.

When the required briefing is complete or the briefing deadlines have expired, either party may file an original and one copy of a Certificate of Readiness with the Prothonotary.

(5) The Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings is ready for assignment to a judge when all briefing requirements set forth in (1), (2), and (3) above have been met or the time permitted for the filing of briefs has elapsed. At that point, either party may file an original and one copy of a Certificate of Readiness with the Prothonotary.

After the complaint has been served, any party may file an original and copy of the judge-appointment application with the Prothonotary.

After service of the complaint, any party may file with the Prothonotary an original and copy of an Application for Appointment of a Judge for All Pretrial Matters and Trial.

After the response period expires or a response is filed, either party may file an original and one copy of a Certificate of Readiness with the Prothonotary.

(3) If twenty (20) days following service of the motion has expired or after the expiration of the time modified by written agreement of counsel, court order, or enlarged by another local or state rule of court, and a response to the motion has been filed or if a response has not been filed, either party may file an original and one copy of a Certificate of Readiness with the Prothonotary.

When a response is filed or 20 days has expired, any party may file a Certificate of Readiness and select Section A, Contested Civil Motions.

When a response is filed or when twenty (20) days has expired, any party may file a Certificate of Readiness and check the box in Section A which reads Contested Civil Motions.

The Clerk must provide the filing party a Submission Receipt showing the date and time the legal paper was received by the Electronic Filing System.

The Clerk of the Orphans’ Court shall provide the filing party with a Submission Receipt which includes the date and time the legal paper was received by the Electronic Filing System.

A Reply Brief is optional but, if filed, must be filed within ten days after service of the opposition brief.

(5) A Reply Brief, although not required, may be filed within ten days of service of the brief in opposition.

After the pleadings are closed, a party may refile a judge-appointment application following denial by the Civil Calendar Judge, and the denial is without prejudice.

A denial by the Civil Calendar Judge shall be without prejudice to refile another Application after the pleadings are closed.