Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Pennsylvania Document Format Requirements

CRITICAL

A required signature on an electronically filed legal paper must use one of the stated scanned-image or electronic-signature methods.

A required signature shall be supplied either by filing a scanned image of the legal paper that bears the original signature of the filer, or, by affixing the digitalized signature, or the name of the filer preceded by /s/, and the printed name of the attorney, to the electronically filed legal paper.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Photograph of non documentary exhibit

A proponent offering a non-documentary exhibit must provide a photograph no larger than 8.5 by 11 inches.

If a proponent offers into evidence a non-documentary exhibit, the proponent shall provide a photograph of the exhibit that does not exceed a size of 8.5 by 11 inches.

CRITICAL

Footnotes must be single-spaced and in 10-point font.

(a) Footnotes shall be single-spaced and in 10-point font.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

When a legal paper includes a proposed order, the filing party must separately file only the proposed order in Microsoft Word format.

If a legal paper contains a proposed order of court, the filing party shall separately file only the proposed order in a Microsoft Word format.

CRITICALCivil cases

Briefs must use 14-point proportionally spaced serif type, although sans-serif type is permitted in headings and captions, and other physical characteristics must comply with Wash.L.R.C.P. 204.1; the Court may decline to consider non-conforming or illegible briefs, and this rule does not apply to briefs supporting or opposing a motion for post-trial relief under Pa. R. C. P. 227.1.

(1) Non-conforming or illegible briefs may not be considered in the discretion of the Court. All briefsshall use a proportionally spaced typeface in fourteen (14) point font; the proportionally spaced typeface must include serifs, but sans-serif type may be used in headings and captions. All other physical characteristics of a brief shall comply with Wash.L.R.C.P. 204.1.

CRITICAL

An objecting party must file an original and a copy of the objections and hearing petition within five days after service of the summary and recommendations.

A party objecting to the Recommendations must file with the Prothonotary an original and a copy of his or her Objections and a Petition for a Record Hearing before the Court within five (5) days of service of the Summary and Recommendations together with a Proof of Service upon all parties and the Parenting Coordinator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Digital media exhibit

Digital exhibits require the Court’s prior permission and must use a Court-acceptable format; the Court may order digital material in place of a physical exhibit, and proponents should arrange digital-media use well in advance without assuming their technology will be accepted.

An exhibit in a digital media format may only be offered with prior permission of the Court. Nothing in this rule shall prohibit the Court from ordering that a proponent provides an exhibit, or a copy or photograph of same, in a digital media format in lieu of a physical exhibit. The use of any digital media must be in a format that is acceptable to the Court. A proponent should never assume that their chosen technology will be acceptable or its use permitted; arrangements for the use of digital media should be made well in advance of the court proceeding.

CRITICAL

The Praecipe to Proceed in Forma Pauperis must follow the format on the Twenty-seventh Judicial District website.

The Praecipe shall be in the format set forth on the website of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District at www.washingtoncourts.us.

CRITICALCivil cases

A required signature may be supplied as a scanned image bearing the filer's original signature, a digitized signature, or the filer's name preceded by “/s/” with the attorney's printed name.

(2) A required signature shall be supplied either by filing a scanned image of the legal paper that bears the original signature of the filer, or, by affixing the digitalized signature, or the name of the filer preceded by Isl, and the printed name of the attorney, to the electronically filed legal paper.

CRITICAL

For assignment of the Initial Custody Meeting date and time, the moving party must bring an original and two copies of the complaint or petition and separate scheduling order to the Office of the Court Administrator – Civil Division.

(b) The moving party shall proceed to the Office of the Court Administrator – Civil Division with an original and two (2) copies of the complaint or petition and the separate scheduling order for an assignment of a date and a time for the Initial Custody Meeting.

CRITICAL

Margins

top 3 in

The caption sheet on a document commencing an action must have a three-inch top margin for the Prothonotary’s stamp.

(b) The Caption Sheet on the document commencing the action (e.g., praecipe or complaint), shall have a margin at the top of three (3) inches for the stamp of the Prothonotary.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If a legal paper contains a proposed order, the filing party must file the order separately in Microsoft Word format.

If a legal paper contains a proposed order of court, the filing party shall separately file only the proposed order in a Microsoft Word format.

CRITICAL

Photographs entered into the record may not exceed 8.5 by 11 inches, although the Court may permit an oversized photograph for demonstrative purposes.

Any photograph entered into the record may not be in a size larger than 8.5 by 11 inches. An oversized photograph may be used for demonstrative purposes if permitted by the Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Briefs must use a proportionally spaced 14-point serif typeface, although sans-serif type is permitted in headings and captions, and other physical characteristics must comply with Wash.L.R.C.P. 204.1.

All briefs shall use a proportionally spaced typeface in fourteen (14) point font; the proportionally spaced typeface must include serifs, but sans-serif type may be used in headings and captions. All other physical characteristics of a brief shall comply with Wash.L.R.C.P. 204.1.

CRITICAL

Documentary exhibits may not exceed 8.5 by 11 inches; a larger document is treated as a non-documentary exhibit.

Documentary exhibits may not be submitted in a size larger than 8.5 by 11 inches. Any document larger than those dimensions shall be considered a non-documentary exhibit.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Legal paper

Format

PDF

Electronically filed legal papers must be submitted in PDF format.

Electronically filed legal papers shall be submitted in a portable document format ("PDF").

CRITICAL

Format

PDF

Electronically filed legal papers must be presented in PDF format.

Electronically filed legal papers shall be presented in a portable document format (PDF).

CRITICAL

Briefs must use a 14-point proportionally spaced serif typeface, except that sans-serif type is permitted in headings and captions; other physical characteristics must comply with Wash.L.R.C.P. 204.1, and Rule 210 does not apply to briefs supporting or opposing a Pa.R.C.P. 227.1 post-trial-relief motion.

All briefs shall use a proportionally spaced typeface in fourteen (14) point font; the proportionally spaced typeface must include serifs, but sans-serif type may be used in headings and captions. All other physical characteristics of a brief shall comply with Wash.L.R.C.P. 204.1. (5) This rule shall not apply to any brief filed in support of, or in opposition to, a motion for post-trial relief pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 227.1.

CRITICAL

Each brief filed with the Domestic Relations Section must include an original and one copy.

Every brief filed with the Domestic Relations Section shall contain an original and one (1) copy.

CRITICALCivil cases

Briefs must use a proportionally spaced 14-point serif typeface, although sans-serif type is permitted in headings and captions; other physical characteristics must comply with Wash.L.R.C.P. 204.1.

All briefs shall use a proportionally spaced typeface in fourteen (14) point font; the proportionally spaced typeface must include serifs, but sans-serif type may be used in headings and captions. All other physical characteristics of a brief shall comply with Wash.L.R.C.P. 204.1.

CRITICAL

Attachments, supporting documents, and exhibits must be on letter-sized paper when filed, and differently sized originals must be resized and reproduced.

(2) All attachments, supporting documents, and exhibits shall be on letter-sized (8.5 inch by 11 inch) paper at the time of filing with the Prothonotary. Documents that are sized differently in original form shall be re-sized and reproduced to comply with this rule.

CRITICAL

A records office using C-Track to submit or store exhibits and media must follow the form and manner directed by the Court or its designee.

The use of the C-Track case management system by a record office for the submission and/or storage of such exhibits and media shall be in a form and manner directed by the Court, or its designee.

CRITICAL

Every filed paper must be fastened at the top left with one staple or, if too thick, a metal fastener; cloth tape and bluebacks are prohibited.

(b) Every paper filed shall be fastened only at the top left corner of the pages with one staple, or, if the document is too thick, a metal fastener. Cloth tape and “bluebacks” shall not be used.

CRITICAL

Exceptions must be filed with the Domestic Relations Sections Docket Clerk with an original and two copies at filing.

(a) All exceptions must be filed with the Domestic Relations Sections Docket Clerk. Any party filing exceptions shall provide an original and two (2) copies of the exceptions at the time of filing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PDF

Electronically filed legal papers must be submitted in PDF format.

Electronically filed legal papers shall be submitted in a portable document format (“PDF”).

CRITICAL

Each exception must state a separate objection precisely and without elaboration.

Each exception shall set forth a separate objection precisely and without elaboration.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PDF

Electronically filed legal papers must be submitted as PDFs.

Electronically filed legal papers shall be presented in a portable document format (PDF).

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

If a legal paper contains a proposed court order, the filing party must file the proposed order separately in Microsoft Word format.

If a legal paper contains a proposed order of court, the filing party shall separately file only the proposed order in a Microsoft Word format.

CRITICAL

A petitioner must file an original and three copies of the petition with the Domestic Relations Section Docket Clerk.

(a) The petitioner shall file an original and three (3) copies of the petition with the Domestic Relations Section Docket Clerk.

CRITICAL

A motion to appoint a master and its proposed order must substantially follow the form available on the Court’s website or in the county law library.

(b) If a party brings a motion to appoint a master, the motion and proposed order shall be in substantially the same form as that found on the Court’s website at www.washingtoncourts.us, or in the Washington County Law Library.

CRITICAL

Caption-sheet lettering must be at least 12-point or equivalent and substantially follow the prescribed form.

(a) The lettering shall be in a font of no smaller than twelve-point size or an equivalent and shall substantially follow the format in Form of Caption Sheet below.

CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Pleadings and legal papers filed with the Prothonotary must be on good-quality white letter-sized paper and conform to Pa.R.C.P. 204.1.

All pleadings and legal papers filed with the Prothonotary shall be on white, letter- sized (8.5 inch by 11 inch) paper of good quality, and otherwise conform to the requirements of Pa.R.C.P. 204.1.

CRITICALCivil cases

A proposed order filed separately must be in Microsoft Word format.

If a legal paper contains a proposed order of court, the filing party shall separately file only the proposed order in a Microsoft Word format.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PDF

After a case closes, the clerk may purge its file only if the legal papers have been scanned into the C-Track case management system in PDF format.

The clerk may only purge a case file upon closure of the case if the legal papers in the case record are scanned into the C-Track case management system in a PDF format.

CRITICAL

A consent support order must be clear and concise and comply with procedural and substantive statutory and case-law requirements.

(b) The order must be clear and concise and shall adhere to both procedural and substantive statutory and case law requirements.

CRITICAL

A Certificate of Deposition must substantially conform to the form in Appendix K.

The Certificate of Deposition shall contain the following information and shall substantially conform to the form shown in Appendix K.

WARNINGCivil cases

The proposed order filed separately for an electronically filed legal paper must be in Microsoft Word format.

If a legal paper is filed electronically, there shall be a separately filed proposed order of court in a Microsoft Word format in accordance with Wash. L. R. C. P. 205.4(b)(2).

WARNING

In an effort to comply with the local rules, any party may utilize the Family Court Judge’s Uncontested Motions Verification Form, which shall be in the format contained in Appendix H/Custody.

In an effort to comply with the local rules, any party may utilize the Family Court Judge’s Uncontested Motions Verification Form, which shall be in the format contained in Appendix H/Custody.

WARNING

Forms referenced in the rules must substantially follow the format shown.

All forms referenced in these rules shall be produced in a substantially similar format as set forth below.

WARNINGCivil cases

Margins

top 3 in

The caption sheet on a document commencing an action must have a three-inch top margin for the Prothonotary’s stamp.

The Caption Sheet on the document commencing the action (e.g., praecipe or complaint), shall have a margin at the top of three (3) inches for the stamp of the Prothonotary.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

PDF

When a legal paper is filed in hard copy, the Prothonotary must convert and maintain it as a PDF and return the physical paper to the filing party for retention.

In the event any legal paper is presented in hard copy for filing, the Prothonotary shall convert and maintain the legal paper as a PDF. The physical legal paper shall be returned to the filing party for retention in accordance with ra. R. C. P. 205.4(b)(4).

WARNINGCivil cases

Briefs must identify reproduced-record references by page and line and unreproduced original-record references by the relevant part of the record.

References in any brief to parts of the record appearing in a reproduced record shall beto the pages and the lines in the reproduced record where said parts appear; e.g., “(R. pg. 30 L. 15).” If references are made in the briefs to parts of the original record not reproduced, the references shall be to the parts of the record involved, e.g., (“Answer p. 7),” “(Motion for SummaryJudgment p.2).”

WARNINGCriminal cases

The District Attorney, Public Defender, or employed Conflict Counsel may use the President Judge's approved electronic signature in an adopted subpoena-management automation program, and that signature has the effect of an original ink signature and pressed seal.

The District Attorney, Public Defender, and/or employed Conflict Counsel may, if having adopted an automation program for case management which will create and track subpoenas, affix an electronic signature of the President Judge if he or she so approves for its use. The electronic signature shall have the same force and effect as a subpoena containing an original ink signature and pressed seal.

WARNINGCivil cases

Filed papers must be fastened only at the top left with one staple, or a metal fastener if too thick; cloth tape and bluebacks are prohibited.

Every paper filed shall be fastened only at the top left comer of the pages with one staple, or, if the document is too thick, a metal fastener. Cloth tape and "bluebacks" shall not be used.

WARNING

Points for charge drawn from the Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions must be listed by section number and not reproduced verbatim.

(b) The points for charge requested from the Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions shall be listed only by section number and not set forth verbatim.

WARNING

Requested points for charge are limited to relevant points in the Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions plus ten additional points, unless the Court permits otherwise for cause shown.

(a) Unless otherwise permitted by the Court for cause shown, requested points for charge shall be limited to those relevant points set forth in the Pennsylvania Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions plus ten (10) additional points for charge.

WARNING

The use of the C-Track case management system by a record office for the submission and/or storage of such exhibits and media shall be in a form and manner directed by the Court, or its designee

The use of the C-Track case management system by a record office for the submission and/or storage of such exhibits and media shall be in a form and manner directed by the Court, or its designee

WARNING

An attorney who provides representation to the litigant under the Washington County Bar Association Limited Representation Custody Program shall be permitted to enter a Limited Appearance. The Limited Appearance shall be set forth on the website of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District at www.washingtoncourts.us.

An attorney who provides representation to the litigant under the Washington County Bar Association Limited Representation Custody Program shall be permitted to enter a Limited Appearance. The Limited Appearance shall be set forth on the website of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District at www.washingtoncourts.us.

WARNINGCivil cases

The PDF of an accepted legal paper is part of the official record, while a proposed order filed in Microsoft Word is only to aid the Court and is not part of that record.

(11) When a legal paper is accepted by the clerk, the PDF is considered part of the official record. Proposed orders filed in Microsoft Word are to aid the Court and shall not be part of the official record.

WARNINGCivil cases

The Court may, in its discretion, decline to consider a non-conforming or illegible brief.

Non-conforming or illegible briefs may not be considered in the discretion of the Court.

WARNING

A duplicate exhibit may be entered with Court permission and must be clear, legible, and in a Court-approved format.

Duplicates of any exhibit may be entered into the record with permission of the Court The duplicate must be clear, legible, and in a format approved by the Court

WARNING

Format

PDF

Before purging a closed case file, the clerk must scan the legal papers into C-Track in PDF format.

The clerk may only purge a case file upon closure of the case if the legal papers in the case record are scanned into the C-Track case management system in a PDF format.

WARNING

Briefs must cite reproduced-record material by page and line, and identify unreproduced original-record material by the relevant part of the record.

(8) References in any brief to parts of the record appearing in a reproduced record shall be to the pages and the lines in the reproduced record where said parts appear; e.g., “(R. pg. 30 L. 15).” If references are made in the briefs to parts of the original record not reproduced, the references shall be to the parts of the record involved, e.g., (“Answer p. 7),” “(Motion for Summary Judgment p.2).”

WARNING

Documentary exhibits may not exceed 8.5 by 11 inches; larger documents are considered non-documentary exhibits.

Documentary exhibits may not be submitted in a size larger than 8.5 by 11 inches. Any document larger than those dimensions shall be considered a non-documentary exhibit

WARNING

Photographs entered into the record may not exceed 8.5 by 11 inches; an oversized photograph may be used demonstratively only with the Court's permission.

Any photograph entered into the record may not be in a size larger than 8.5 by 11 inches. An oversized photograph may be used for demonstrative purposes if permitted by the Court

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

PDF

A case file may be purged only after case closure and scanning its legal papers into C-Track in PDF format, unless the Court authorizes otherwise through the President Judge.

Except as otherwise authorized by the Court through the President Judge, the Prothonotary may only purge a case file upon closure of the case if the legal papers in the case file are scanned into the C-Track case management system in a PDF format.

WARNINGCivil cases

Attachments, supporting documents, and exhibits must be letter-sized when filed, and differently sized originals must be resized and reproduced.

All attachments, supporting documents, and exhibits shall be on letter-sized (8.5 inch by 11 inch) paper at the time of filing with the Prothonotary. Documents that are sized differently in original form shall be re-sized and reproduced to comply with this rule.

WARNINGCivil cases

Footnotes must be single-spaced and use 10-point font.

Footnotes shall be single-spaced and in 10-point font.

WARNINGCivil cases

Pleadings and legal papers filed with the Prothonotary must be on good-quality white letter-sized paper and conform to Pa.R.C.P. 204.1.

All pleadings and legal papers filed with the Prothonotary shall be on white, letter- sized (8.5 inch by 11 inch) paper of good quality, and otherwise conform to the requirements of Pa.R.C.P. 204.1.

WARNING

Applies to

Withdrawal of appearance

A Withdrawal of Appearance must use the attached format available on the Twenty-seventh Judicial District website.

The Withdrawal of Appearance shall be in the attached format set forth on website of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District at www.washingtoncourts.us.

WARNINGCivil cases

Briefs must cite reproduced-record material by page and line and identify the relevant parts when citing unreproduced original-record material.

References in any brief to parts of the record appearing in a reproduced record shall be to the pages and the lines in the reproduced record where said parts appear; e.g., "(R. pg. 30 L. 15)." If references are made in the briefs to parts of the original record not reproduced, the references shall be to the parts of the record involved, e.g., ("Answer p. 7)," "(Motion for Summary Judgment p.2)."

WARNING

Applies to

Duplicate exhibit

A duplicate exhibit may be entered into the record only with the Court’s permission and must be clear, legible, and in a Court-approved format.

Duplicates of any exhibit may be entered into the record with permission of the Court. The duplicate must be clear, legible, and in a format approved by the Court.

WARNING

Applies to

Proposed scheduling order

The proposed scheduling order must substantially follow the form available on the Court’s website or in the Washington County Law Library.

(1) The proposed scheduling order shall be in substantially similar form to that found on the Court’s website at www.washingtoncourts.us, or in the Washington County Law Library.

WARNINGCivil cases

Briefs must cite reproduced-record material by page and line, and cite unreproduced original-record material by identifying the relevant record part.

References in any brief to parts of the record appearing in a reproduced record shall be to the pages and the lines in the reproduced record where said parts appear; e.g., “(R. pg. 30 L. 15).” If references are made in the briefs to parts of the original record not reproduced, the references shall be to the parts of the record involved, e.g., (“Answer p. 7),” “(Motion for Summary Judgment p.2).”

WARNINGCivil cases

Caption-sheet lettering must be at least 12-point or equivalent and substantially follow the specified form.

The lettering shall be in a font of no smaller than twelve-point size or an equivalent and shall substantially follow the format in Form of Caption Sheet below.

WARNING

Digital-media exhibits require prior Court permission, must use a Court-acceptable format, and should be arranged well in advance.

An exhibit in a digital media format may only be offered with prior permission of the Court. Nothing in this rule shall prohibit the Court from ordering that a proponent provides an exhibit, or a copy or photograph of same, in a digital media format in lieu of a physical exhibit The use of any digital media must be in a format that is acceptable to the Court. A proponent should never assume that their chosen technology will be acceptable or its use permitted; arrangements for the use of digital media should be made well in advance of the court proceeding

WARNING

Consent support orders should use current Domestic Relations Section forms that conform to PACSES.

(a) All consent support orders should be prepared on current forms provided by the Domestic Relations Section in conformance with the Pennsylvania Child Support System (PACSES).

INFOCriminal cases

A subpoena signature may be electronic or stamped, and has the force and effect of an original ink signature and pressed seal.

The signature on a subpoena may be electronically affixed or stamped. The electronic signature or stamp shall have the same force and effect as a subpoena containing an original ink signature and pressed seal.

INFOCivil cases

An accepted PDF is part of the official record, while proposed orders filed in Microsoft Word are for the Court's aid and are not part of the official record.

(3) When a legal paper is accepted by the Prothonotary, the PDF is considered part of the official record. Proposed orders filed in Microsoft Word are to aid the Court and not part of the official record.

INFOCivil cases

If needed, a second page may be attached and numbered "Caption Sheet 2" at the bottom of the page.

If needed, a second page may be attached and numbered "Caption Sheet 2" at the bottom of the page.