Court of Common Pleas of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

CRITICAL

If counsel believes the issues' complexity requires argument beyond the rule's time limits, counsel must request separate scheduling of the argument, and the motion must then be presented under Rule L211(a)(2).

If counsel believes that the complexity of the issues presented requires argument in excess of the time limits set forth in this Rule, then counsel shall request that argument of the motion be scheduled separately, in which case the motion shall be presented in accordance with Rule L211 (a)(2).

CRITICAL

Oral argument and the briefing schedule for a motion for post-trial relief must comply with Rule L211(b).

(e) Oral argument and a briefing schedule of the motion for post- trial relief shall be in accordance with Rule L211 (b).

CRITICAL

Oral argument and a briefing schedule for a motion for summary judgment must be scheduled under Rule L211(b).

Oral argument of the motion and a briefing schedule shall be scheduled in accordance with the provisions of Rule L211 (b).

CRITICAL

If neither party timely requests argument, the moving party must request disposition on written briefs and provide the District Court Administrator a copy; the court then sets a briefing schedule and decides the motion on the briefs alone.

If neither party timely files a praecipe for argument, the moving party shall file a praecipe for disposition on written briefs alone and notify the court by providing a copy of the praecipe to the District Court Administrator. The praecipe shall be forwarded to the court, which shall then enter an order setting forth a briefing schedule and dispose of the motion solely upon written briefs.

CRITICAL

Before presenting a discovery motion, moving counsel must confer by telephone or in person with opposing counsel and any unrepresented party about each disputed matter and certify that the issues remain unresolved.

Any motion relating to discovery must be accompanied by a certificate signed by counsel for the moving party certifying that counsel has conferred telephonically or in person with opposing counsel and any unrepresented party with respect to each matter set forth in the discovery motion and was unable to resolve the differences which exist.

CRITICAL

Oral argument and a briefing schedule for a motion for judgment on the pleadings must be scheduled under Rule L211(b).

Oral argument of the motion and a briefing schedule shall be scheduled in accordance with Rule L211 (b).

CRITICAL

Unless an amended pleading is filed as of course under Pa.R.C.P. 1028(c)(1), oral argument and a briefing schedule for preliminary objections must be scheduled under Rule L211(b).

Unless an amended pleading is filed as of course under Pa.R.C.P. 1028(c)(1), oral argument and a briefing schedule shall be scheduled in accordance with Rule L211(b).

CRITICAL

Correspondence, providing the motion, or lack of objection does not satisfy the required discovery-motion conference.

Merely attaching a copy of correspondence to opposing counsel requesting compliance to the discovery request or attempting to resolve the matter, or providing opposing counsel with a copy of the discovery motion or informing opposing counsel of the motion to be presented and opposing counsel not objecting to the motion does not comply with this Rule.

WARNING

If the non-moving party is unready or has not filed a brief when the case is called for argument, the moving party may proceed ex parte.

If the non-moving party is not ready to proceed or has not filed a brief, the moving party may proceed with the argument ex parte.

WARNING

If the moving party is unready or has not filed a brief when the case is called for argument, the court may deny the requested relief as of course.

When a case is called for argument, if the moving party is not ready to proceed or has not filed a brief, the relief requested by the moving party may be denied as of course.

WARNING

Before scheduled argument, the parties may stipulate to submit the motion on written briefs, provided they file a praecipe stating the argument date and time and give a copy to the District Court Administrator.

At any time prior to the scheduled argument, the parties, by stipulation, may file with the court a praecipe to submit resolution of the motion upon written briefs alone and provide a copy of the praecipe to the District Court Administrator. The praecipe shall state the date and time of the scheduled argument. The praecipe shall be forwarded to the court, which shall then cancel the scheduled argument and dispose of the motion solely upon written briefs.