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

CRITICALCivil cases

The respondent must file a memorandum opposing preliminary objections within 20 days after service of the moving party's brief.

Respondent's memorandum of law contra the preliminary objections shall be filed within twenty (20) days after service of the brief of the moving party, and shall contain a certification of service upon the moving party.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Defense counsel seeking pretrial discovery and inspection must arrange and hold an informal conference with the District Attorney’s Office within 14 days after arraignment.

Defense counsel desiring pre-trial discovery and inspection under Pa.R.Crim.P. No. 573 shall make an appointment and hold an informal conference with the District Attorney's Office within fourteen (14) days after arraignment for that purpose.

CRITICALCivil cases

An opposing party must file its answer and brief within 20 days after service of the original motion for judgment on the pleadings.

The answer and brief of any opposing party shall be filed within twenty (20) days from the date of service of the original motion.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Before seeking pre-trial disclosure or discovery, the requested material must have been discussed at an informal conference that proved unsuccessful.

All motions for pre-trial disclosure or discovery shall set forth the fact that an informal conference to discuss the requested material has taken place and proved unsuccessful.

WARNINGCivil cases

After receiving a post-trial-relief motion, the Trial Judge may schedule a conference to resolve disputes over the trial record; if the parties cannot agree, the Judge must designate the portions to be transcribed, assign transcription costs, and establish a briefing schedule.

(c) Upon receipt of a Motion for Post-trial Relief, the Trial Judge may promptly schedule a conference of counsel to resolve any dispute between the parties as to the portion of the trial record required for the disposition of the motion. If parties cannot agree, the Trial Judge shall enter an order designating the portions to be transcribed and assigning the costs of transcription. The Judge shall also at that time establish a briefing schedule.

WARNINGCivil cases

In domestic relations and paternity cases, preliminary objections do not delay Domestic Relations Office hearings or interviews and are determined when a hearing before a judge or jury is required.

Preliminary objections filed in domestic relations and paternity cases shall not be cause for delay in hearings or interviews scheduled by the Domestic Relations Office. Such objections will be determined by the Court when and if hearings before a Judge and/or a jury are required for adjudication of the issues involved in the petition or complaint.

WARNING

A party or attorney may request oral argument in a controversial proceeding, and the Court may require it; otherwise, the Court decides the issues on briefs under its briefing schedule.

Any party or his attorney may request oral argument upon a motion or issue involved in any controversial proceeding and the Court shall have the right to require oral argument. Unless oral argument is requested or specifically directed, the Court will decide the issues on briefs as submitted, per the briefing schedule set by the Court.

INFOCivil cases

A party unable to coordinate depositions or other discovery despite reasonable, good-faith efforts may file a motion for a scheduling conference.

A party may, with respect to discovery-related issues, file a motion for scheduling conference with the Court when the party is unable to coordinate the scheduling of depositions or other discovery despite reasonable and good faith efforts to do so.

INFOCivil cases

A party may request oral argument on preliminary objections, which the assigned judge may schedule; the judge may instead decide the objections on the briefs.

The Judge to whom the preliminary objections are assigned may, if requested, set the matter for oral argument, or may dispose of the objections on the briefs submitted.

INFOCivil cases

The Court may require or allow further briefing when appropriate.

The Court may require or permit further briefing, if appropriate.