Court of Common Pleas of Greene County, Pennsylvania
Court-Level Rules, Filing Procedures & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Adjournments
- A continuance request must be made by written motion, state its factual basis and the opposing party’s position, and be filed at least 10 days before the hearing; an untimely motion must explain the delay, and presentation to the assigned Judge is requested if possible.
Document Format Requirements5 rules
All motions shall be in writing, except as permitted by the court or when made in open court during a trial or hearing.
(vi) The motion shall be divided into consecutively numbered paragraphs, each containing only one material allegation as far as practicable.
- Motion
Formatting
- •Each paragraph should contain only one material allegation as far as practicable
Any digital exhibit that cannot be printed (i.e., audio or video recording) shall be entered into the record on a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive (or other format if expressly approved by the Court).
A written waiver of formal arraignment can be filed by a Defendant who is represented by counsel at any time up to and including the time scheduled for formal arraignment.
If one party has multiple digital exhibits, they may be submitted together on one USB flash drive.
Document Filing Requirements24 rules
Motions that are agreed upon shall contain the consenting signatures or attached consents of all attorneys or unrepresented parties of interest
Notice of the presentation of the motion shall be in writing
An initial pleading in a civil action must be accompanied by a completed Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 205.5 Cover Sheet.
Court's wording
For the initial pleading in any civil action, the pleading shall be accompanied by a completed Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 205.5 Cover Sheet which can be found at http://www.pacourts.us/forms/for-the-public.
A motion must be signed by the person or attorney making it, and an attorney's signature certifies review, good grounds, and that the motion is not interposed for delay.
- Document
- Motion
- Placement
- Signature block
Court's wording
(iii) The motion shall be signed by the person or attorney making the motion. The signature of an attorney shall constitute a certification that the attorney has read the motion, that to the best of the attorney's knowledge, information, and belief there is good ground to support the motion, and that it is not interposed for delay.
(vii) The motion shall include any requests for hearing or argument, or both.
If a motion asserts facts not already of record, it must be verified by a knowledgeable person's sworn affidavit or by a written unsworn statement subject to Pennsylvania's penalties for unsworn falsification.
Court's wording
(viii) If the motion sets forth facts that do not already appear of record in the case, the motion shall be verified by the sworn affidavit of a person having knowledge of the facts or by the unsworn written statement of such a person that the facts are verified subject to the penalties for unsworn falsification to authorities under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. §4904.
A motion must certify compliance with the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Public Access Policy regarding confidential information and documents.
Court's wording
The motion also shall contain a certification that the motion complies with the provisions of the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania: Case Records of the Appellate and Trial Courts regarding confidential information and documents.
(iv) The motion shall include the court, caption, term, and number of the case in which relief is requested.
- Document
- Motion
- Placement
- Caption
Must include
- •Case number
(v) The motion shall state with particularity the grounds for the motion, the facts that support each ground, and the types of relief requested.
5. Any motion shall be accompanied by a proposed Order consistent with the motion and the relief requested.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Proposed order
- 4. Narratives shall be required for the pretrial conference and shall be filed ten (10) days prior to the date of the conference.
The pretrial narrative must include a facts summary, intended economic damages, witness names and addresses with classifications, specified expert reports, special legal or evidentiary issues, and estimated trial length.
Court's wording
- 5. The narrative shall contain the following: - a. A brief summary of the facts; - b. All items of economic damages which the Plaintiff intends to prove, including medical bills, property damage bills and loss of earnings; - c. The names and addresses of all persons who may be called as witnesses, classifying them as liability and/or damage witnesses; - d. Copies of all reports of any expert who treated, examined, or was consulted in connection with the injuries complained of, and who may be called as an expert witness; - e. Copies of all reports of any expert whose opinion will be in evidence at the time of trial. Such reports shall include the findings and conclusions of the expert; - f. Any special legal or evidentiary issues; - g. The estimated length of trial;
A discontinuance may also be entered by a written direction (praecipe) to the Prothonotary if it is signed by the attorney for the plaintiff or by a self-represented plaintiff
Counsel shall provide a copy of the discontinuance to Court Administration simultaneous with providing the original to the Prothonotary.
Any continuance request shall contain the signature of a party or the attorney of record.
The Plaintiff shall come to the Conciliation Conference prepared to provide proof of the defaulted mortgage and the exact amount, including costs and penalties, needed to bring the mortgage current as of that date. Failure to do so will preclude the recovery of any interest due on the mortgage after that date.
The defendant must be prepared for the conciliation conference with proof of income, proof of expenses and debt statements, the Act 91 Notice, and other documents received concerning the foreclosure.
Court's wording
The Defendant shall come to the Conciliation Conference prepared to provide the following: - a. Proof of income from all sources (i.e. pay stubs, social security disability letter of determination, workers compensation letter of determination, annual income tax returns, child and spousal support orders, etc.); - b. Proof of expenses and debt statements (i.e. regular monthly mortgage payment, payments related to water/sewer, electricity, heating, telephone, cable, credit card(s), tuition and day care expenses, etc.); and - c. Act 91 Notice and any other documents received regarding this mortgage foreclosure.
The legal brief or memorandum of the moving party regarding preliminary objections shall be filed with the appropriate filing office.
A written agreement signed by all parties or their counsel may refer a case to arbitration, may include stipulations or take the place of pleadings, and must be filed of record.
Court's wording
Cases, regardless of amount or subject in controversy, may be referred to a Board of Arbitrators by written agreement signed by all parties or their counsel, and may contain stipulations with respect to facts submitted or agreed upon or defense in such cases, the written agreement may take the place of the pleadings in the case and shall be filed of record.
All proposed adoptive parents shall undergo and shall file with the Court Childline and criminal clearances.
- Document
- Adoptive parent filing
Must include
- •Childline and criminal clearances
3. The failure, in any motion, to state a type of relief or a ground therefore may constitute a waiver of such relief or ground.
If exceptions are filed, the Court will schedule the matter for argument and may direct the parties to provide proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and a proposed order.
4. Any motion may request such alternative relief as may be appropriate.
No written narratives need be filed for status conferences.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
complying with this rule may be sent to the Prothonotary by mail and shall be accepted for filing.
complying with this rule may be sent to the Prothonotary by mail and shall be accepted for filing.
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Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The pretrial narrative must be filed ten days before the pretrial conference.
- 4. Narratives shall be required for the pretrial conference and shall be filed ten (10) days prior to the date of the conference.
Page 6 | Local Rule G212.3 PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES
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.
Supplements to a written pretrial memorandum may be filed by any party after their original pretrial memorandum has been filed. However, no supplemental pretrial memorandum may be filed later than thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled jury selection, except with permission of the Court.
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Motions in limine, briefs on unusual legal issues, proposed jury instructions, and a proposed verdict slip must be filed at least 10 days before the pretrial conference unless the Court orders otherwise.
Unless the Court grants otherwise, the following must be filed with the Court at least ten (10) days before the date of the pretrial conference: motions in limine, briefs on unusual legal issues, proposed jury instructions, a proposed verdict slip.
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Civil case-management and further pleading deadlines are suspended pending the conciliation conference outcome, effective on the date of the order setting the conference.
For the purposes of the case, civil case management, and further pleading deadlines are suspended pending the outcome of the Conciliation Conference. Suspension is effective as of the date of the Order setting the Conciliation Conference.
Page 10 | Local Rule G320 MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE
Notice of a settlement reached before the arbitration hearing is due no later than five days before the scheduled hearing.
a. If a settlement occurs prior to the scheduled arbitration hearing, the parties shall notify in writing the assigned Judge and Court Administration of the settlement no later than five (5) days prior to the scheduled arbitration hearing.
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An appeal from a Board of Arbitrators’ award must be taken under Pa. R.C.P. 1313 within 30 days after the award is entered on the docket.
1. An appeal from an award of a Board of Arbitrators shall be taken in conformity with Pa. R.C.P. 1313 within thirty (30) days after the entry of the award on the docket.
Page 14 | Local Rule G1308 APPEAL FROM ARBITRATION
In uncontested matters, the Master must submit the Master's Report within 20 days.
The Master shall submit the Master's Report within 20 days in uncontested matters
Page 16 | Local Rule G1920.55-2 MASTER'S REPORT, NOTICE, EXCEPTIONS, FINAL DECREE
In contested matters, the Master's Report is due within 30 days of the later of receipt of the transcript or close of the record.
within 30 days of the latter of the receipt of transcript or close of record in contested matters.
Page 16 | Local Rule G1920.55-2 MASTER'S REPORT, NOTICE, EXCEPTIONS, FINAL DECREE
The Board must submit its final recommendation within 60 days of the view, and if it does not, the Court may set a status conference on its own initiative.
The Board shall make a final recommendation to the Court within sixty (60) days of the view. If there is no recommendation filed within sixty (60) days, the Court may sua sponte set the matter for a status conference.
Page 17 | Local Rule G4050 BOARD OF VIEW
Time limits for actions concerning a Bill of Particulars, discovery, a Notice of Alibi Defense, or Omnibus Pre-Trial Motions run from the scheduled arraignment date, not from the filing of a waiver.
For the purpose of determining time limits for action regarding the following: Bill of Particulars, Discovery, Notice of Alibi Defense, and any Omnibus Pre-Trial Motions, the time shall commence from the date scheduled for formal arraignment, not the date of the filing of any waiver of formal arraignment.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Local Rule G571-FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT
After an information is filed, the Clerk need not schedule formal arraignment within ten days and must instead schedule it at the next available arraignment time.
Upon the filing of an information by the Greene County District Attorney, the Greene County Clerk of Court need not schedule formal arraignment within ten (10) days of that filing, but instead shall schedule the matter for formal arraignment at the next available time for formal arraignment.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Local Rule G571-FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT
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.
motions for routine scheduling of hearings and rule returnable/citations may be delivered to the appropriate filing office where it shall be docketed and immediately thereafter delivered to the Office of District Court Administration, for consideration by the Court.
Page 4 | Local Rule G208.3(a) MOTIONS
A defendant represented by counsel may file a written waiver of formal arraignment through the scheduled arraignment time.
A written waiver of formal arraignment can be filed by a Defendant who is represented by counsel at any time up to and including the time scheduled for formal arraignment.
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Local Rule G571-FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A copy of the motion must be sent to opposing counsel or an unrepresented party at least four Court business days before presentation to the Court.
Notice of the presentation of the motion shall be in writing and a copy of the motion sent to opposing counsel or an unrepresented party at least four (4) Court business days in advance of its presentation to the Court.
Page 4 | Local Rule G208.3(a) MOTIONS
Notice of a hearing concerning bail before verdict must be given to the Commonwealth’s attorney, defense counsel of record, and the bail agency.
Notice of the hearing concerning bail before verdict must be given to the attorney for the Commonwealth, Defense counsel of record, and bail agency (Adult Probation and Parole Office).
Criminal cases
Page 1 | Local Rule G530-CRIM PRETRIAL SERVICES
If a defendant fails to comply with bail or release conditions, the bail agency must notify the Commonwealth’s attorney, the defendant’s attorney, and the Court.
Whenever a Defendant has failed to comply with the rules and regulations of the bail bond, or of the bail agency, or any other additional conditions of his release, the bail agency shall notify the attorney for the Commonwealth, the attorney for the Defendant, and the Court.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Local Rule G530-CRIM PRETRIAL SERVICES
An arrest warrant may be served by any authorized law enforcement officer, including the specified pretrial and probation officers.
The warrant may be served by any authorized law enforcement officer including pretrial and probation officers of the Adult Probation and Parole Office.
Criminal cases
Page 2 | Local Rule G530-CRIM PRETRIAL SERVICES
Filing Fees and Waivers
All costs due to the Prothonotary must be paid for the praecipe discontinuance to be accepted.
if all costs due the Prothonotary have been paid.
Page 8 | Local Rule G229 DISCONTINUANCES
A party requesting an additional continuance must pay the Prothonotary a $50 fee when making the request.
b. A party requesting an additional continuance shall pay to the Prothonotary a Continuance Fee of $50.00 at the time of the continuance request.
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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.
6. The parties shall pay a fee of $400.00 and that fee shall be deposited with the Greene County Prothonotary. The allocations of cost shall be a 50%/50% split, payment by the moving party in full or as established by order of Court. The Arbitrators shall not be appointed until the fee is paid in full.
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A party requesting a continuance within 72 hours of the scheduled arbitration must pay the stated arbitration costs when requesting it, without affecting other applicable arbitration costs.
c. A party requesting any continuance within seventy-two (72) hours of the scheduled arbitration time shall pay to the Prothonotary the Arbitration Costs at the time of the continuance request. Such Arbitration costs shall be set at $100.00 for the Chairperson of the arbitration panel, and $75.00 for each additional Arbitrator of the arbitration panel. Such payment shall not impact the applicability of any other Arbitration costs.
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A settlement within five days of the hearing or untimely settlement notice requires payment of arbitration costs, allocated between plaintiffs and defendants unless otherwise agreed and due within five days after the scheduled hearing.
b. If a settlement occurs within five (5) days of the scheduled arbitration hearing, or if the parties fail to timely notify the assigned Judge and Court Administration, the parties shall pay the Arbitration costs. - c. The arbitration costs shall be set at $100.00 for the Case Manager of the arbitration panel, and $75.00 for each additional Arbitrator of the arbitration panel. - d. Such arbitration costs are to be paid to the Prothonotary by the parties, with fifty percent (50%) contribution from the plaintiff(s), jointly and severally, and fifty percent (50%) contribution from the defendant(s), jointly and severally, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties. - e. Such payment shall be made within five (5) days of the scheduled arbitration hearing.
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The appealing party must pay the Prothonotary the lesser of $400 or 50% of the amount in controversy as nonrecoverable compensation for the Arbitrators.
2. The appealing party shall pay to the Prothonotary the sum of $400.00 or fifty percent (50%) of the amount in controversy, whichever is less, as compensation for the Arbitrators which shall not be taxed as costs or be recoverable in any proceeding.
Page 14 | Local Rule G1308 APPEAL FROM ARBITRATION
Before a Master in Divorce is appointed, the parties must pay and deposit a $500 fee with the Greene County Prothonotary.
Prior to the appointment of a Master in Divorce, the parties shall pay a fee of $500.00 which shall be deposited with the Greene County Prothonotary.
Page 16 | Local Rule G1920.51 MASTER IN DIVORCE
An additional $2,000 must be deposited before each additional calendar day of proceedings before the Master.
An additional $2,000.00 shall be deposited prior to each additional calendar day of proceeding before the Master in Divorce.
Page 16 | Local Rule G1920.51 MASTER IN DIVORCE
If conciliation does not result in an agreement, the parties must deposit $2,000 per calendar day with the Prothonotary before the Master schedules a hearing.
In the event no agreement is reached through conciliation and prior to the Master in Divorce scheduling a hearing, the parties shall deposit with the Greene County Prothonotary a fee of $2,000.00 per calendar day.
Page 16 | Local Rule G1920.51 MASTER IN DIVORCE
Before a Board of View is appointed, the petitioning party must deposit $325 with the Prothonotary; costs are divided evenly unless the moving party pays in full or the Court orders otherwise, and the fee must be paid in full before appointment.
Prior to the appointment of a Board of View, the petitioning party shall deposit a fee of $325.00 with the Greene County Prothonotary. The cost shall be divided evenly between the parties or payment by the petitioning/moving party in full or as established by order of Court. A Board of View shall not be appointed until the fee is paid in full.
Page 17 | Local Rule G4050 BOARD OF VIEW
At the Court’s discretion, each party may receive one continuance without a fee.
a. At the Court's discretion, each party may be granted one (1) continuance without imposition of any fee.
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For cause shown, the Court may allow an appeal to proceed in forma pauperis.
The Court, for cause shown, may permit an appeal to proceed in forma pauperis.
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The Master in Divorce receives a $500 fee for presiding over conciliation.
The Master shall receive a fee of $500.00 for presiding over the conciliation.
Page 16 | Local Rule G1920.51 MASTER IN DIVORCE
The Prothonotary may release payments to the Master or stenographer only pursuant to a Court Order.
The Prothonotary shall only release payment to the Master in Divorce and/or stenographer pursuant to Court Order.
Page 16 | Local Rule G1920.51 MASTER IN DIVORCE
For each calendar day of hearing, $1,000 of the deposit is paid to the Master and the remainder is held to reimburse the stenographer.
The Master in Divorce shall be paid $1,000.00 per calendar day of hearing with the remaining monies to be on deposit as a fund for the reimbursement of the stenographer.
Page 16 | Local Rule G1920.51 MASTER IN DIVORCE
The stated costs are divided evenly between the parties, paid in full by the moving party, or allocated as established by court order.
The cost as stated above shall be divided evenly between the parties or by payment of the moving party in full or as established by order of Court.
Page 16 | Local Rule G1920.51 MASTER IN DIVORCE
Board members shall receive mileage at the annual rate established by Greene County.
In addition to the fee mentioned above, the board members shall be paid mileage at the annual rate as established by the County of Greene.
Page 17 | Local Rule G4050 BOARD OF VIEW
Each of the two remaining Board of View members shall be paid $100.00.
The two (2) remaining members shall be appointed by the Court and shall be paid $100.00.
Page 17 | Local Rule G4050 BOARD OF VIEW
The Board of View chairperson shall be paid $125.00.
One shall be a chairperson appointed by the Court and shall be paid $125.00.
Page 17 | Local Rule G4050 BOARD OF VIEW
The Master may reallocate fees paid by the parties in the Master's report.
The Master is granted discretion to reallocate any fees paid by the parties in the Master's report.
Page 16 | Local Rule G1920.51 MASTER IN DIVORCE
Fees and costs must be set by Administrative Order and recorded in the specified docket in the Prothonotary's Office.
Fees and costs shall be set by Administrative Order and recorded in the Prothonotary's Office in the Court Administration Docket.
Page 17 | Local Rule G4053 FEES AND COSTS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
For preliminary objections, the moving party must file a brief or memorandum with the appropriate filing office; the court order will provide the briefing schedule and any argument date, and noncompliance may result in default or other court action.
Preliminary objections, unless otherwise directed by the Court, may be placed on the next available argument list by the District Court Administrator. The parties may petition the Court to be heard solely on the briefs. - a. The legal brief or memorandum of the moving party regarding preliminary objections shall be filed with the appropriate filing office. The parties will be notified by Court Order of a briefing schedule and the date scheduled for argument, if applicable. Failure to strictly comply with the briefing schedule may constitute a default authorizing the Court to grant or deny the relief at issue, prohibit the noncompliant party from making argument, and take such other action as the Court deems necessary for the proper administration of justice.
Page 10 | Local Rule G1028(c) PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS
The moving party must file its brief or memorandum with the appropriate filing office; the Court will set the briefing schedule and any argument date by order, and noncompliance may result in default or other consequences.
The legal brief or memorandum of the moving party regarding motion for judgment on the pleadings shall be filed with the appropriate filing office. The parties will be notified by Court Order of a briefing schedule and the date scheduled for argument, if applicable. Failure to strictly comply with the briefing schedule may constitute a default authorizing the Court to grant or deny the relief at issue, prohibit the noncompliant party from making argument, and take such other action as the Court deems necessary for the proper administration of justice.
Page 11 | Local Rule G1034(a) MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS
The moving party must file its brief or memorandum with the appropriate filing office; the Court will set the briefing schedule and any argument date by order, and noncompliance may result in default or other consequences.
The legal brief or memorandum of the moving party regarding Motion for Summary Judgment shall be filed with the appropriate filing office. The parties will be notified by Court Order of a briefing schedule and the date scheduled for argument, if applicable. Failure to strictly comply with the briefing schedule may constitute a default authorizing the Court to grant or deny the relief at issue, prohibit the noncompliant party from making argument, and take such other action as the Court deems necessary for the proper administration of justice.
Page 11 | Local Rule G1035.2(a) MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
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.
Court shall hear Motions at 8:45 A.M. on Mondays and Wednesdays of each week. In the event of a holiday, it will be held on the first business day thereafter. Any changes to Motions Court shall be published on the website of the Greene County Court of Common Pleas.
Page 4 | Local Rule G208.3(a) MOTIONS
A motion may be presented in person in Motions Court after it has been filed with the appropriate court filing office.
A motion may be presented in person in Motions Court after being filed with the appropriate court filing office.
Page 4 | Local Rule G208.3(a) MOTIONS
The Court prefers, if possible, to resolve summary judgment, consolidation, bifurcation, and severance motions before the pretrial conference.
It is the preference of the Court to resolve Motions for Summary Judgment, consolidation, bifurcation and severance, if possible, prior to the pretrial conference.
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A judgment-on-the-pleadings motion may be placed on the next available argument list unless the Court directs otherwise, and the parties may ask to be heard only on the briefs.
Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, unless otherwise directed by the Court, may be placed by the District Court Administrator on the next available argument list. The parties may petition the Court to be heard solely on the briefs.
Page 11 | Local Rule G1034(a) MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS
A summary-judgment motion may be placed on the next available argument list unless the Court directs otherwise, and the parties may ask to be heard only on the briefs.
Motion for Summary Judgment, unless otherwise directed by the Court, may be placed by the District Court Administrator, on the next available argument list. The parties may petition the Court to be heard solely on the briefs.
Page 11 | Local Rule G1035.2(a) MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A party needing additional preparation or discovery time because of a supplemental pretrial memorandum must promptly petition the Court for an extension before the scheduled trial date.
Should any party need additional time for preparation, or discovery as a result of a supplemental pretrial memorandum being filed, a petition must be promptly filed with the Court seeking such an extension of time prior to the scheduled trial date.
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A continuance request must be made by written motion, state its factual basis and the opposing party’s position, and be filed at least 10 days before the hearing; an untimely motion must explain the delay, and presentation to the assigned Judge is requested if possible.
All applications for continuance shall be made by written motion. The continuance shall specify the factual basis for the request of the proposed continuance. The request for continuance shall be presented to the assigned Judge, if possible. Any request must specify the position of the opposing party/parties. Failure to specify the position of the opposing party/parties may result in denial of the request. Requests for continuances shall be filed at least ten (10) days in advance of the hearing date. Where the continuance is not timely filed, the reasons for the delay shall be specifically set forth in the motion.
Page 8 | Local Rule G216 CONTINUANCES
A party requesting a continuance must file a written continuance.
9. A party moving for a continuance shall file a written continuance.
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Court Administration may reschedule the arbitration hearing only after the moving party pays any applicable continuance fees or arbitration costs.
The arbitration hearing shall be rescheduled by Court Administration only upon the moving party's payment of any applicable Continuance Fees or Arbitration Costs.
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Chambers Communication Rules
The moving party must notify the assigned Judge and Court Administration in writing that the continuance fee was paid.
The moving party shall notify in writing the assigned Judge and Court Administration of such payment.
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If settlement occurs before the scheduled arbitration hearing, the parties must notify the assigned Judge and Court Administration in writing at least five days before the hearing.
a. If a settlement occurs prior to the scheduled arbitration hearing, the parties shall notify in writing the assigned Judge and Court Administration of the settlement no later than five (5) days prior to the scheduled arbitration hearing.
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