Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel and the lawyer mediator may not communicate ex parte unless all parties consent.

No ex parte communications shall take place between the lawyer mediator and counsel for the litigants without consent of all parties to the litigation.

CRITICALCriminal cases

A Bail Bondsman must advise the Clerk within 14 days of a material change in circumstances, unless another period is specifically provided.

failing to advise the Clerk within fourteen (14) days (or such other time period as may be specifically set forth) of any change in circumstances which would materially affect any of the statements, information or certifications required by 531.2(b) or (c) herein;

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email

The Court Administrator must email assigned arbitrators their hearing dates and locations, and send them a case and counsel list before the scheduled arbitration.

The Court Administrator shall, by email addressed to the email address on file with the Court Administrator, notify all arbitrators assigned to an arbitration panel of the dates on which the arbitration panel is assigned to hear arbitration cases and the location of the arbitration hearings. In addition, prior to the scheduled arbitration date, the Court Administrator shall, by said email, send all of the arbitrators assigned to the arbitration panel a list containing the names of the cases to be heard, the names of the parties and the names of all counsel for the parties.

CRITICALCivil cases

An arbitrator who believes there is a conflict must immediately notify the Court Administrator in writing, state the reasons, and copy all counsel or unrepresented parties.

In the event any of the arbitrators believes that he/she has a conflict of interest in connection with hearing any particular case, the arbitrator shall immediately notify the Court Administrator in writing that the arbitrator believes there is a conflict of interest and the reasons therefore, with a copy to all counsel or unrepresented parties involved in the particular case.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to clerk

DUI continuance applications in Common Pleas cases may be submitted to Court Administration by fax, email, or in person.

Applications for continuances on DUI cases at the Common Pleas level can be submitted to Court Administration via facsimile at 610-871-2779, via email at DUIContinuance@lehighcounty.org, or in person.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to clerk

Continuance applications in criminal Common Pleas cases may be submitted to Court Administration by fax, email, or in person.

Applications for continuance for criminal cases at the Common Pleas level can be submitted to Court Administration via facsimile at 610-871-2779, via email at CAHelp@lehighcounty.org, or in person.

INFO

Phone

717-231-3300

A complaint may be directed to the AOPC Coordinator for Court Access using the listed contact information.

Contact the Coordinator for Court Access at the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC). Marisa Lehr, Esq. P.O. Box 61260 Harrisburg, PA 17106-1260 phone: 717-231-3300, fax: 717-231-3327 marisa.lehr@pacourts.us

INFO

Phone

(888) 848-5306

A complaint may also be directed to the U.S. Department of Justice using the listed contact information.

Contact the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Federal Coordination and Compliance Section Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20530 (888) 848-5306

INFOCivil cases

Counsel should check in at the arbitration site on the hearing date and be prepared to begin when directed.

On the date of the arbitration hearing, all counsel should check in with the representative of the court administrator’s office located at the site of the arbitration. Cases in which all parties have checked in and have indicated they are ready to proceed will be assigned to a panel for hearing, by the representative of the court administrator’s office after consultation with the panel chairman. All cases on the list are intended to be reached, and all counsel should be prepared to commence their case at the time they are directed to report for the arbitration.