THE COURTS

LEHIGH COUNTY

Adoption of Local Rules of Civil Procedure 205.2(a) for Filing of Legal Papers with the Clerk of Courts, 205.2(b) Pertaining to Cover Sheets, and 208.3(a)(6) Pertaining to Procedures for Disposition of Certain Motions; No. 2005-J-44

Order

   And Now, this 6th day of October, 2005, It Is Ordered that the following Lehigh County Rules of Civil Procedure 205.2(a) for Filing of Legal Papers with the Clerk of Courts, 205.2(b) pertaining to Cover Sheets, and 208.3(a)(6) pertaining to Procedures for Disposition of Certain Motions in the 31st Judicial District composed of Lehigh County be, and the same are, promulgated herewith, to become effective thirty (30) days after publication of the rules in the Pennsylvania Bulletin; and that the present Lehigh County Rules of Civil Procedure 205.2(a); 205.2(b), and 208.3(a)(6) are revoked, effective at the same time.

   The Court Administrator of Lehigh County is directed to:

   1.  File seven (7) certified copies of this Order with the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

   2.  File two (2) certified copies and one disk copy with the Legislative Reference Bureau for publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

   3.  File one (1) certified copy with the Pennsylvania Civil Procedural Rules Committee.

   4.  File one (1) copy with the Clerk of Courts of the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas.

   5.  Forward one (1) copy for publication in the Lehigh County Law Journal.

By the Court

WILLIAM H. PLATT,   
President Judge

Rule 205.2(a).  Filing of Legal Papers with the Clerk of Courts

   All pleadings and other documents submitted for filing with the Clerk of Courts shall conform with the following requirements:

   1.  The use of backers and/or toppers is prohibited.

   2.  All documents shall be fastened together by staples.

   3.  The text of original documents shall not be highlighted by the use of colored markers. Highlighting of text can be done by bolding or by using a different style and size of font.

   4.  All documents shall be single-sided and double-spaced, except that quotations, footnotes and exhibits may be single-spaced.

   5.  The font size of all documents shall be not less 12 points.

   6.  Paper shall be of good quality and shall not exceed 8-1/2" × 11" in size.

   7.  Attachments smaller than 8-1/2" × 11" shall be attached to regular size paper by using scotch tape.

   8.  All exhibits shall be identified as such on the bottom center of each document as well as by exhibit tabs.

   9.  All pages shall be numbered consecutively. The number shall appear at the bottom center position of each page.

   10.  All copies attached to documents shall be clear and legible.

   11.  All documents shall contain the following: (i) the correct caption of the case, including the names of the parties, the docket number, the division of the court, and the name of the assigned judge, if any; (ii) a title indicating the nature of the document; (iii) the name, address, telephone number, fax number and Supreme Court identification number of the attorney filing the document; and (iv) if the party filing the document is not an attorney, the name, address, telephone number of such party.

Rule 205.2(b).  Cover Sheets

   All initial pleadings filed with the Clerk of Courts shall be accompanied by a cover sheet in substantially the following form:

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION

FULL CAPTION with address(es) Use additional page(s) if necessary

__________ 

__________ 

__________ 

__________ 

__________

Total No. of Plaintiffs ______
vs

__________ 

__________ 

__________ 

__________ 

__________

Total No. of Defendants ______

         Docket No. __________                                    (Issued at time of filing)

         Related Cases: __________ 

         __________

         Jury Trial Demanded              [  ] Yes   [  ] No

         To be listed for Arbitration      [  ] Yes   [  ] No

Note:  A civil action is to be listed for Arbitration unless (1) the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000 exclusive of interest and costs or (2) the case involves title to real property.

CIVIL/FAMILY COURT COVER SHEET

CIVIL ACTION CASE TYPE

[  ] *Declaration of Taking/Eminent Domain

[  ] *Ejectment

[  ] *Mortgage Foreclosure

[  ] *Quiet Title

[  ] *Other action effecting property

[  ] Vehicle Accident

         Date of Accident ______

[  ] Asbestos

[  ] Bone Screw/Plate

[  ] Breach of Contract

[  ] Breast Implant

[  ] *Equity

         Preliminary Injunction      [  ] Yes   [  ] No

[  ]  Medical Professional Liability

[  ]  Premises Liability

[  ]  Product Liability

[  ]  Professional Liability __________                                                   (Profession)

[  ]  Replevin

[  ]  Other __________

APPEALS

[  ] *Assessment

[  ] *Zoning/Subdivision

[  ] District Justice

   [  ] Supersedeas: Tenant must pay into court three months rent or amount in arrears

[  ] Other __________

PETITIONS

[  ] Confirm/Vacate Arbitration Award

[  ] Elections

[  ] Other __________

FAMILY COURT CASE TYPE

[  ] Annulment

[  ] Child Custody/Visitation

[  ] Divorce

   Divorce Counts

   [  ] Alimony/Spousal Support

   [  ] Alimony pendente lite, counsel fees & costs

   [  ] Child Custody/Visitation

   [  ] Child Support

   [  ] Equitable Distribution/Property Rights

[  ] Other __________

*Parcel Identification Number Required

__________

__________

Attorney/Pro Se Name: __________

__________

Signature: __________

Supreme Court ID No. __________

Address: __________

__________

Telephone & Fax No. __________

__________

 

Rule 208.3(a)(6).

   In lieu of the procedures set forth in subparagraphs (2) through (4) of this rule, any motion governed by Pa.R.C.P. 208.3(a) may be presented in open court to the judge assigned to the case at this judge's weekly motion court. The movant shall give the assigned judge, all counsel of record, and all unrepresented parties not less than five days advance written notice of the date, time and place of the intended presentation of the motion, together with a complete copy of the motion. If the movant is unable to comply with this notice requirement because of an emergency, the movant shall have made a good-faith effort to notify all opposing counsel of record and all unrepresented parties as soon as possible of the intended presentation of the motion, and shall describe those efforts in the motion. This notice requirement may be waived with the consent of all interested parties, or it may be waived or modified by the court in emergency situations.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-1978. Filed for public inspection October 28, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]

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