Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Should the Office of Delaware County Adult Probation and Parole find on its review that a given defendant appears appropriate for the above-described re-parole release, then such a written recommendation is to be PROMPTLY provided to this court, along with a proposed re-parole order in accord with the above-detailed schedule and substantially formatted as that attached.
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Substantially formatted as the attached order
Document Filing Requirements13 rules
A filing containing Confidential Information not required by applicable authority must be accompanied by a Confidential Information Form (CIF).
Court's wording
As provided in MD-1545-17, any filing containing Confidential Information, not required by applicable authority to appear in the document, shall be redacted and accompanied by a Confidential Information Form (CIF), and only the redacted version will be accessible by the public.
Any filing of a Confidential Document shall be accompanied by a Confidential Document Form (CDF), and only the CDF will be accessible by the public.
Outside domestic-violence cases, the parties may submit an agreement that includes the terms of the prescribed order, and any agreed coordinator must be on the approved roster.
Court's wording
Except in cases involving domestic violence, the parties may submit a written agreement with regard to the appointment of a Parenting Coordinator, including an agreed upon Parenting Coordinator. The agreed upon Parenting Coordinator must be on the roster of approved parent coordinators. The agreement shall include the terms of the form Order for Parenting Coordination as set forth in this rule.
An applicant must submit the specified qualifications affidavit and acknowledgments to the Family Section Liaison Judge or designee.
Court's wording
Parenting Coordinator shall submit an affidavit to the Family Section Liaison Judge or his/her designee together with the following: - i. An affidavit attesting the applicant has the qualifications found in Pa.R.C.P. 1915.11-1; - ii. An acknowledgment that the applicant has read the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Parenting Coordinator guidelines and the American Psychological Association (APA) Parenting Guidelines respectively found at www.afccnet.org and www.apa.org; and - iii. An acknowledgment that for every two (2) fee generating Parenting Coordination assignments, each Parent Coordinator must accept one (1) pro bono assignment, up to 12 hours per pro bono case.
The filing must include an original and copy of the Objections, a Petition for a Record Hearing, and proof of service on all parties and the Parenting Coordinator.
Court's wording
E. Objections to Parenting Coordinator's Recommendation(s) and Petition for a Record Hearing - i. A party objecting to the Recommendations must file with the Office of Judicial Support an original and copy of their Objections and a Petition for a Record Hearing before the Court within five (5) days of service of the Summary and Recommendations together with Proof of Service upon all parties and the Parenting Coordinator.
Should the Office of Delaware County Adult Probation and Parole find on its review that a given defendant appears appropriate for the above-described re-parole release, then such a written recommendation is to be PROMPTLY provided to this court, along with a proposed re-parole order in accord with the above-detailed schedule and substantially formatted as that attached.
The notice attached to the original filing must include the statement specified in the rule.
Court's wording
(iii) The notice attached by the Office of Judicial Support to the original filing shall also include the following statement: "This matter will be heard by a board of arbitrators at the time, date and place specified but, if one or more of the parties is not present at the hearing, the matter may be heard at the same time and date before a judge of the court without the absent party or parties. There is no right to a trial de novo on appeal from a decision entered by a judge."
(ii) A notice prepared and attached by the Office of Judicial Support shall indicate the hearing time and date, which notice shall be attached at the time of initial filing.
B. An applicant who has been qualified in another Pennsylvania county within the preceding twelve (12) months shall be automatically certified as qualified in Delaware County upon submission of affidavit and supporting documentation from the qualifying county.
C. Parenting Coordinator shall include the rationale for their Recommendations in the Summary, and the Parenting Coordinator shall indicate whether the Recommendation is based upon an agreement of the parties.
B. Parenting Coordinator shall state the manner of service of the Summary and Recommendations to the parties.
In the event a case is settled or otherwise concluded it shall be plaintiff's responsibility to give prompt written notification thereof to the Court Administrator in the form of an order to settle, discontinue and end or an application for continuance pending consummation of the settlement.
The plaintiff may apply to the court to have a case originally filed as an arbitration matter certified as a non-arbitration matter. Such application shall be by motion filed in accordance with the provision of Rule *206(B)I.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The exclusive system for electronic filing is the PACFile System, developed and administered by the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts and located on Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System Web Portal at https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/PACFile.aspx.
The exclusive system for electronic filing is the PACFile System, developed and administered by the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts and located on Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System Web Portal at https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/PACFile.aspx.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | (B) PACFile
The Office of Judicial Support must accept and retain hard-copy legal papers, convert them to PDF, and add them to the system unless they are excluded from electronic filing.
(3) Any legal paper submitted for filing to the Office of Judicial Support in a physical paper (or 'hard-copy') format shall be accepted by the Office of Judicial Support in that format and shall be retained by the Office of Judicial Support as may be required by applicable rules of court and record retention policies. The Office of Judicial Support shall convert such hard-copy legal paper to .pdf and add it to the system, except those legal papers excluded from electronic filing pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P.576.1 (C) and this rule.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | (C) Legal Papers
Establishing a PACFile account constitutes consent to participate in electronic filing and to accept electronic service of PACFile documents in districts that permit 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.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | (B) PACFile
The rule’s definition of legal papers excludes the listed warrant, grand jury, ex parte, sealed, third-party, appeal, arraignment-waiver, MD-docket, and confidential W-docket filings.
"Legal papers" are pleadings or other submissions to the court, including motions, answers or other documents, of which filing is required or permitted, including orders, exhibits and attachments, but excluding: - (a) applications for search warrants; - (b) applications for arrest warrants; - (c) any grand jury materials, except the indicting grand jury indictment or the investigating grand jury presentment; - (d) submissions filed ex parte as authorized by law; - (e) exhibits offered into evidence, whether or not admitted, in a court proceeding; - (f) Submissions filed or authorized to be filed under seal; - (g) Third party filing of amicus briefs or third party filings; - (h) Summary appeals consistent with Pa.R.Crim.P. 460; - (i) Waiver of a Criminal Arraignment; - (j) Filings in any matter assigned a MD docket number including, but not limited to, the following: Petition for Early Assignment, Petition for Juvenile Placement in Adult Facility, Petition for Lineup, Petition for Bail de novo, Petition to Revoke or Increase Bail, Petition for Determination of Competency, Petition for Return of Property, Rule 600 Petition, Petition to Decertify, Petition for Pro Hac Vice, Motions in Limine, Motion to Lift a Nebbia Order and/or Motion for Bail Source Hearing; and - (k) Filings in any matter assigned a confidential W docket number, including but not limited to, sealed search warrant applications under Pa.R.Crim.P. 211 and/or wiretap act applications as set forth at 18 Pa.C.S. §§5701 et seq.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | (C) Legal Papers
Any party who declines to participate in the PACFile electronic filing system, or 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 a physical paper format ('hard-copy') and shall receive legal papers in a physical paper format from the Office of Judicial Support and/or other parties, whether electronically filed or otherwise, as required by Pa.R.Crim.P. 576.
Any party who declines to participate in the PACFile electronic filing system, or 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 a physical paper format ('hard-copy') and shall receive legal papers in a physical paper format from the Office of Judicial Support and/or other parties, whether electronically filed or otherwise, as required by Pa.R.Crim.P. 576.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | (B) PACFile
Electronic filing of legal papers through PACFile is permitted in Delaware County starting September 15, 2025.
Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 576.1, Electronic Filing and Service of Legal Papers, electronic filing of legal papers through the PACFile electronic filing system is permissive in Delaware County, the 32nd Judicial District, as of September 15, 2025.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | (A) General Scope and Purpose of the Rule
Electronic filing through PACFile is voluntary at this time.
At this time, electronic filing through the PACFile System is voluntary.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | (B) PACFile
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A party objecting to the Recommendations must file the Objections and Petition for a Record Hearing within five days of service of the Summary and Recommendations.
- i. A party objecting to the Recommendations must file with the Office of Judicial Support an original and copy of their Objections and a Petition for a Record Hearing before the Court within five (5) days of
Civil cases
Page 3 | III.E. Objections to Parenting Coordinator's Recommendation(s) and Petition for a Record Hearing
Parenting Coordinators must file their Summary and Recommendations within two business days after their last communication with the parties on the issues.
A. Parenting Coordinators shall file their Summary and Recommendations pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1915.23 with the Office of Judicial Support within two (2) business days after the last communication with the parties on the issues in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 1915.11-1 (f)(2) and promptly forward a copy of same via regular mail and email to the parties and the Family Section Trial Judge. Service shall be considered complete as of the date the email is sent to the Family Section Trial Judge and the parties.
Civil cases
Page 3 | III. Parenting Coordinator Recommendations
Should the Office of Delaware County Adult Probation and Parole find on its review that a given defendant appears appropriate for the above-described re-parole release, then such a written recommendation is to be PROMPTLY provided to this court, along with a proposed re-parole order in accord with the above-detailed schedule and substantially formatted as that attached.
Should the Office of Delaware County Adult Probation and Parole find on its review that a given defendant appears appropriate for the above-described re-parole release, then such a written recommendation is to be PROMPTLY provided to this court, along with a proposed re-parole order in accord with the above-detailed schedule and substantially formatted as that attached.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | EMERGENCY ORDER ALLOWING FOR RE-PAROLE REVIEW AND SUCH POSSIBLE RELEASE EXTENDED
Motions other than applications for continuance must be filed at least 30 days before the hearing date.
All motions, with the exception of applications for continuance, must be filed no later than thirty (30) days before the hearing date.
Page 3 | Rule *1303.- Hearing, Notice
Protection-from-abuse petitions must first be docketed and time-stamped by the Office of Judicial Support and then immediately transferred to the Court Administrator.
Petitions filed pursuant to Pa.C.S. Chapter 61 (Protection from Abuse) shall be brought first to the Office of Judicial Support to be docketed and time-stamped and then immediately transferred to the Court Administrator for reference to the appropriate Judge.
Page 2 | 1. General rule - Protection from Abuse. Filing.
Court Administration must schedule the hearing within ten business days after the petition is filed.
Court Administration shall schedule a hearing before the court within ten business days of the filing of a petition pursuant to (a),
Page 3 | 3. Protection from Abuse. Final orders.
Use of the electronic filing system begins September 15, 2025, at 8:30 AM, unless the Court orders otherwise.
Use of the Delaware County Electronic Filing System SHALL commence on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 8:30 AM, as provided by Local Criminal Rule 576.1, unless otherwise ordered by this Court.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Administrative Order
When the specified amount-in-controversy condition is met, the hearing date must be at least 60 days after the stipulation is filed or the court enters its order.
When the amount in controversy, exclusive of interest, costs and delay damages; is reduced to a sum not in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) in accordance with the provisions of Rule *1301(b), the case shall forthwith be assigned a hearing date no less than 60 days from the date on which the stipulation is filed or the date of the court's order.
Page 3 | Rule *1303.- Hearing, Notice
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Any party who declines to participate in the PACFile electronic filing system, or 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 a physical paper format ('hard-copy') and shall receive legal papers in a physical paper format from the Office of Judicial Support and/or other parties, whether electronically filed or otherwise, as required by Pa.R.Crim.P. 576.
Any party who declines to participate in the PACFile electronic filing system, or 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 a physical paper format ('hard-copy') and shall receive legal papers in a physical paper format from the Office of Judicial Support and/or other parties, whether electronically filed or otherwise, as required by Pa.R.Crim.P. 576.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | (B) PACFile
Upon approval, the judge must issue the Parenting Coordinator order, distribute it to all parties, and make it an order of the court.
Upon approval, the Family Section Trial Judge shall issue an Order for Parenting Coordinator pursuant to Pa.R.C.P 1915.22 which shall be distributed to all parties and made an Order of the Court.
Civil cases
Page 2 | I. Appointment of a Parenting Coordinator
Parenting Coordinators must promptly send the Summary and Recommendations by regular mail and email to the parties and the Family Section Trial Judge; service is complete when the email is sent.
A. Parenting Coordinators shall file their Summary and Recommendations pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1915.23 with the Office of Judicial Support within two (2) business days after the last communication with the parties on the issues in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 1915.11-1 (f)(2) and promptly forward a copy of same via regular mail and email to the parties and the Family Section Trial Judge. Service shall be considered complete as of the date the email is sent to the Family Section Trial Judge and the parties.
Civil cases
Page 3 | III. Parenting Coordinator Recommendations
A party filing Objections and a Petition for a Record Hearing must provide proof of service on all parties and the Parenting Coordinator.
- i. A party objecting to the Recommendations must file with the Office of Judicial Support an original and copy of their Objections and a Petition for a Record Hearing before the Court within five (5) days of service of the Summary and Recommendations together with Proof of Service upon all parties and the Parenting Coordinator.
Civil cases
Page 4 | III.E. Objections to Parenting Coordinator's Recommendation(s) and Petition for a Record Hearing
For previously continued judicial name change petitions, an initial conforming publication at the original hearing listing satisfies the notice requirements, and no additional publication is required for later listings.
for ALL judicial change of name petitions previously continued by this court's past emergent orders the notice requirements of 54 Pa.C.S. §701(a.1)(3)(ii)(A) SHALL be deemed satisfied by any initial conforming publication accomplished at the time the judicial name change petition was listed for its original hearing, absent the need for additional publications upon such proceedings' subsequent listings.
Civil cases
Page 1 | EMERGENCY ORDER - NOTICE OF HEARING PUBLICATIONS REGARDING JUDICIAL NAME CHANGES
The parties or their attorneys of record must receive written notice of the hearing’s date, time, and place at least 30 days before the hearing.
(v) In no event shall less than thirty (30) days' written notice of the date, time and place of hearing be given to the parties or their attorneys of record.
Page 2 | Rule *1303.- Hearing, Notice
The hearing notice must be affixed to the original and all service copies of the complaint, writ praecipe, or appeal notice, as applicable.
(ii) The aforementioned notice shall be affixed both to the original and all service copies of the complaint or praecipe for writ of summons or, in the case of appeal from District Justice judgments, the notice of appeal.
Page 2 | Rule *1303.- Hearing, Notice
For a joinder complaint, the moving party must provide the joined parties copies of the original hearing notice and the notice containing the required statement.
(iv) In the case of a joinder complaint, the moving party shall provide to the parties being joined a copy of the original notice setting forth the time, place and location of the arbitration hearing, as well as a copy of the notice referred to in (a)(I)(iii).
Page 2 | Rule *1303.- Hearing, Notice
The sheriff or another designated agency must promptly serve the defendant with the petition, order, and hearing notice.
The sheriff or other designated agency, in accordance with 23 Pa.C.S. § 6106 (d), shall promptly serve the petition, order and hearing notice on the defendant,
Page 2 | 2. Protection from Abuse. Temporary orders. Service
The serving agency must promptly file an Affidavit of Service, which the Court Administrator must ensure is docketed and time-stamped with the original kept in the file.
and same serving agency shall promptly file an Affidavit of Service in the Court Administrator's Office. Court Administrator shall ensure that the Affidavit of Service is docketed and time stamped in the Office of Judicial Support with original to be maintained in the docketed file.
Page 2 | 2. Protection from Abuse. Temporary orders. Service
The hearing may not proceed unless there is proof of a docketed Affidavit of Service or the defendant has waived service.
The hearing shall not proceed without proof of docketed Affidavit of Service or waiver of service by the defendant or
Page 2 | 2. Protection from Abuse. Temporary orders. Service
Establishing a PACFile account constitutes acceptance of electronic service of documents filed on PACFile in districts that permit 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.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | (B) PACFile
The plaintiff must promptly notify all other parties of the hearing date and time assigned by the Court Administrator.
The plaintiff shall promptly notify all other parties of the hearing date and time assigned by the Court Administrator.
Page 3 | Rule *1303.- Hearing, Notice
Filing Fees and Waivers
A party granted in forma pauperis status must not pay filing fees to the Office of Judicial Support.
(2) A party who was granted in forma pauperis status shall not pay filing fees to the Office of Judicial Support
Criminal cases
Page 3 | (D) Filing Fees
Applicable filing fees must be paid through the Office of Judicial Support’s procedures, at the time and in the amount required by the governing authority or fee schedule.
(1) Applicable filing fees shall be paid through procedures established by the Office of Judicial Support and at the same time and in the same amount as required by statute, Court rule or order, or published fee schedule.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | (D) Filing Fees
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
A filing containing Confidential Information not required by applicable authority must be redacted and accompanied by a CIF; only the redacted version is publicly accessible.
As provided in MD-1545-17, any filing containing Confidential Information, not required by applicable authority to appear in the document, shall be redacted and accompanied by a Confidential Information Form (CIF), and only the redacted version will be accessible by the public.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | (F) Confidential Information
Counsel and unrepresented parties must follow the specified public access policy and refrain from including Confidential Information in papers filed with the Office of Judicial Support or the Court.
Counsel and unrepresented parties must adhere to the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, Delaware County Judicial Administration Rule, Criminal Docket No.: MD-1545-17 and refrain from including Confidential Information in legal papers filed with the Office of Judicial Support or the Court whether filed electronically or in a paper format.
Criminal cases
Page 3 | (F) Confidential Information
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
After a hearing date is assigned, a continuance request must use the application form available in the Court Administrator's Office and is referred for review, after which the applicant is notified of the result or a hearing date.
After a hearing date has been assigned, requests for continuance must be made on a continuance application form available in the Court Administrator's Office. Requests for a continuance shall be referred to the appropriate Judge or hearing officer for review. After review of the continuance, the Court Administrator shall forward the result of the request of the continuance to the party who applied for the continuance or advise the requesting party that the request has been scheduled for hearing before the judge.
Page 3 | 5. Continuances of Hearing for a final order. Withdrawals of Petitions.