Judge Christopher M. Simms

Applies to

Notice of presentation

Notice of a motion's presentation must be in writing.

Applies to

Pretrial narrative

A narrative is required for the pretrial conference and must be filed ten days before the conference.

Applies to

Initial pleading

An initial pleading in a civil action must be accompanied by a completed Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 205.5 Cover Sheet.

Applies to

Discontinuance praecipe

All costs due to the Prothonotary must be paid for the praecipe discontinuance to be accepted.

Fee

400

Applies to

Arbitration

The parties must pay a $400 arbitration fee to the Prothonotary, allocated equally unless the moving party pays it in full or the Court orders otherwise; arbitrators are not appointed until it is paid.

Applies to

Continuance request

At the Court’s discretion, each party may receive one continuance without a fee.

Routine scheduling motions and rule returnable/citations may be delivered to the filing office for docketing and immediate delivery to the Office of District Court Administration for the Court's consideration.

The pretrial narrative must be filed ten days before the pretrial conference.

A supplemental pretrial memorandum may be filed after the original, but must be filed at least 30 days before jury selection unless the Court permits otherwise.

Motions are heard at 8:45 A.M. on Mondays and Wednesdays, with holiday hearings held on the first business day thereafter; changes are published on the court website.

A motion may be presented in person in Motions Court after it has been filed with the appropriate court filing office.

The Court prefers, if possible, to resolve summary judgment, consolidation, bifurcation, and severance motions before the pretrial conference.