THE COURTS

Title 210—APPELLATE PROCEDURE

PART I. RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE

[ 210 PA. CODE CHS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 27 AND 33 ]

Proposed Amendments to Chapters 13 and 15 and Adoption of New Chapter 16

[46 Pa.B. 2518]
[Saturday, May 21, 2016]

 In 2015, the Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee published a recommendation in concept to reorganize Chapter 15 and to create a new Chapter 16, with the goal of limiting Chapter 15 to traditional administrative agency appeals, certain other enumerated appeals from similar adjudications or other actions, and original jurisdiction actions against the Commonwealth. After consideration of the comments, the Committee is now publishing for comment a revised proposal designed to achieve the intended reorganization by amending Chapters 13 and 15, adding Chapter 16, and making conforming amendments to rules in other chapters.

 The proposed restructuring of Chapter 15 removes the rules that do not apply to appeals of administrative agency action, original jurisdiction actions cognizable in an appellate court in the nature of actions in equity, replevin, mandamus or quo warranto, or for declaratory judgment, or upon writs of certiorari or prohibition, and appeals of certain other enumerated adjudications. Actions initiated under Chapter 15 as proposed would retain the existing name ''petition for review.''

 The Committee is proposing to move three procedures that currently use the term ''petition for review'' from Chapter 15 to Chapter 13: (1) denials of requests to amend an order to certify it for interlocutory appeal; (2) denials of requests to certify an order as less than all claims or parties as final; and (3) orders finding a claim of double jeopardy frivolous. In purpose, content, and process, these are more similar to petitions for permission to appeal under Pa.R.A.P. 1311 than to direct appeals under Chapter 15. New Chapter 16 would apply to judicial review of all government unit action or inaction not otherwise permitted under Chapters 9, 11, 13 or reorganized Chapter 15, and would include certain existing initiating documents that under present practice are called ''petitions for review'' under Chapter 15 or another chapter, but that are ancillary and/or preliminary to appellate review, including: (1) review of bail orders under Pa.R.A.P. 1762; (2) review of special prosecution orders under Pa.R.A.P. 3331; and (3) review of out-of-home-placement of minors under Pa.R.A.P. 1770. Actions initiated under Chapter 16 would be called ''petitions for specialized review.'' The residuary function previously assigned to Chapter 15 (i.e., that actions not initiated under some other chapter of the Rules of Appellate Procedure must fall within Chapter 15) would be assigned to new Chapter 16.

 The Committee invites all interested persons to submit comments, suggestions, or objections.

 Comments should be provided to:

 Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee
Pennsylvania Judicial Center
601 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 6200
P.O. Box 62635
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106-2635
FAX: (717) 231-9551
appellaterules@pacourts.us

 All communications in reference to the proposal should be received by June 20, 2016. E-mail is the preferred method for submitting comments, suggestions, or objections; any emailed submission need not be reproduced and resubmitted via mail. The Committee will acknowledge receipt of all submissions.

 An Explanatory Comment precedes the proposed amendments and has been inserted by this Committee for the convenience of the bench and bar. It will not constitute part of the rule nor will it be officially adopted or promulgated.

By the Appellate Court
Procedural Rules Committee

HONORABLE RENÉE COHN JUBELIRER, 
Chair

Annex A

TITLE 210. APPELLATE PROCEDURE

PART I. RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE

ARTICLE I. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

IN GENERAL

Rule 102. Definitions.

 Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of these rules which are applicable to specific provisions of these rules, the following words and phrases when used in these rules shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this rule:

 Action—Any action or proceeding at law or in equity.

 Argument—Where required by the context, the term includes submission on briefs.

 Administrative Office—The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

 Appeal—Any petition or other application to a court for review of subordinate governmental determinations. The term includes an application for certiorari under 42 Pa.C.S. § 934 (writs of certiorari) or under any other provision of law. Where required by the context, the term includes proceedings on petition for review and petition for specialized review.

 Official Note: Under these rules a ''subordinate governmental determination'' includes an order of a [lower] trial court. The definition of ''government unit'' includes courts, and the definition of ''determination'' includes action or inaction by (and specifically an order entered by) a court or other government unit. In general, any appeal now extends to the whole record, with like effect as upon an appeal from a judgment entered upon the verdict of a jury in an action at law and the scope of review of an order on appeal is not limited as on broad or narrow certiorari. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 5105(d) [(scope of appeal)].

 Appellant—Includes petitioner for review.

 Appellate court—The Supreme Court, the Superior Court, or the Commonwealth Court.

 Appellee—Includes a party named as respondent in a petition for review.

 Application—Includes a petition or a motion.

 Appropriate security—Security [which] that meets the requirements of [Rule 1734 (appropriate security)] Pa.R.A.P. 1734.

 Children's fast track appeal—Any appeal from an order involving dependency, termination of parental rights, adoptions, custody, or paternity. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6301, et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 2511, et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 2101, et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 5301, et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 5102, et seq.

 Clerk—Includes prothonotary.

 Counsel—Counsel of record.

 Determination—Action or inaction by a government unit which action or inaction is subject to judicial review by a court under Section 9 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania or otherwise. The term includes an order entered by a government unit.

 Docket [Entries] entries—Includes the schedule of proceedings of a government unit.

 General rule—A rule or order promulgated by or pursuant to the authority of the Supreme Court.

 Government unit—The Governor and the departments, boards, commissions, officers, authorities, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, including the General Assembly and its officers and agencies and any court or other officer or agency of the unified judicial system, and any political subdivision or municipal or other local authority or any officer or agency of any such political subdivision or local authority. The term includes a board of arbitrators whose determination is subject to review under 42 Pa.C.S. § 763(b) [(awards of arbitrators)].

 Judge—Includes a justice of the Supreme Court.

 [Lower court—The court from which an appeal is taken or to be taken. With respect to matters arising under Chapter 17 (effect of appeals; supersedeas and stays) the term means the trial court from which the appeal was first taken.]

 Matter—Action, proceeding, or appeal. The term includes a petition for review or petition for specialized review.

 Order—Includes judgment, decision, decree, sentence, and adjudication.

 Petition for allowance of appeal—

 (a) A petition under [Rule 1112 (appeals to the Supreme Court by allowance)] Pa.R.A.P. 1112; or

 (b) a statement pursuant to [Rule 2119(f) (discretionary aspects of sentence)] Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f). See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9781.

 Petition for permission to appeal—A petition under [Rule 1311 (interlocutory appeals by permission)] Pa.R.A.P. 1311.

 Petition for review—A petition under [Rule 1511 (manner of obtaining judicial review of governmental determinations)] Chapter 15.

 Petition for specialized review—A petition under Chapter 16.

 President judge—When applied to the Supreme Court, the term means the Chief Justice of Pennsylvania.

 Proof of service—Includes acknowledgment of service endorsed upon a pleading.

 Quasijudicial order—An order of a government unit, made after notice and opportunity for hearing, which is by law reviewable solely upon the record made before the government unit, and not upon a record made in whole or in part before the reviewing court.

 Reargument—Includes, in the case of applications for reargument under Chapter 25 [(post-submission proceedings)], reconsideration and rehearing.

 Reconsideration—Includes reargument and rehearing.

 Reproduced [Record] record—That portion of the record which has been reproduced for use in an appellate court. The term includes any supplemental reproduced record.

 Rule of court—A rule promulgated by a court regulating practice or procedure before the promulgating court.

 Trial court—The court from which an appeal is first taken or to be taken.

 Verified [Statement] statement—A document filed with a clerk under these rules containing statements of fact and a statement by the signatory that it is made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 [(unsworn falsification to authorities)].

 Official Note: Based on 42 Pa.C.S. § 102 [(definitions)]. The definition of ''determination'' is not intended to affect the scope of review provided by 42 Pa.C.S. § 5105(d) [(scope of appeal)] or other provision of law.

Rule 105. Waiver and Modification of Rules.

 (a) Liberal construction and modification of rules.—These rules shall be liberally construed to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every matter to which they are applicable. In the interest of expediting decision, or for other good cause shown, an appellate court may, except as otherwise provided in [Subdivision] paragraph (b) of this rule, disregard the requirements or provisions of any of these rules in a particular case on application of a party or on its own motion and may order proceedings in accordance with its direction.

 (b) Enlargement of time.—An appellate court for good cause shown may upon application enlarge the time prescribed by these rules or by its order for doing any act, or may permit an act to be done after the expiration of such time, but the court may not enlarge the time for filing a notice of appeal, a petition for allowance of appeal, a petition for permission to appeal, [or] a petition for review, or a petition for specialized review.

 Official Note: 42 Pa.C.S. § 5504 [(judicial extension of time)] provides that the time limited by, inter alia, Chapter 55D [(appeals)] of the Judicial Code shall not be extended by order, rule, or otherwise, except that the time limited may be extended to relieve fraud or its equivalent, but [that there shall] there will be no extension of time as a matter of indulgence or with respect to any criminal proceeding. However, under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5571(a) [(appeals generally)] statutory time limits under Chapter 55D do not apply to appeals to or other judicial review by the Supreme, Superior, or Commonwealth Courts.

 [Subdivision] Paragraph (b) of this rule is not intended to affect the power of a court to grant relief in the case of fraud or breakdown in the processes of a court.

DOCUMENTS GENERALLY

Rule 120. Entry of Appearance.

 [(a)] Filing.—Any counsel filing papers required or permitted to be filed in an appellate court must enter an appearance with the prothonotary of the appellate court unless that counsel has been previously noted on the docket as counsel pursuant to [Rules] Pa.R.A.P. 907(b), 1112(f), 1311(d) [or], 1514(d) or 1602(d). New counsel appearing for a party after docketing pursuant to Rules 907(b), 1112(f), 1311(d), [or] 1514(d) or 1602(d) shall file an entry of appearance simultaneous with or prior to the filing of any papers signed by new counsel. The entry of appearance shall specifically designate each party the attorney represents and the attorney shall file a certificate of service pursuant to [Subdivision (d) of Rule 121 and Rule] paragraph (d) of Pa.R.A.P. 121 and Pa.R.A.P. 122. Where new counsel enters an appearance on behalf of a party currently represented by counsel and there is no simultaneous withdrawal of appearance, new counsel shall serve the party that new counsel represents and all other counsel of record and shall file a certificate of service.

 Official Note: [See Subdivision (b) of Rule 907, Subdivision (f) of Rule 1112, Subdivision (d) of Rule 1311 and Subdivision (d) of Rule 1514.]

 For admission pro hac vice, see Pa.B.A.R. 301.

Rule 121. Filing and Service.

 (a) Filing.—Papers required or permitted to be filed in an appellate court shall be filed with the prothonotary. Filing may be accomplished by mail addressed to the prothonotary, but except as otherwise provided by these rules, filing shall not be timely unless the papers are received by the prothonotary within the time fixed for filing. If an application under these rules requests relief which may be granted by a single judge, a judge in extraordinary circumstances may permit the application and any related papers to be filed with that judge. In that event the judge shall note thereon the date of filing and shall thereafter transmit such papers to the clerk.

 A pro se filing submitted by a prisoner incarcerated in a correctional facility is deemed filed as of the date it is delivered to the prison authorities for purposes of mailing or placed in the institutional mailbox, as evidenced by a properly executed prisoner cash slip or other reasonably verifiable evidence of the date that the prisoner deposited the pro se filing with the prison authorities.

 (b) Service of all papers required.—Copies of all papers filed by any party and not required by these rules to be served by the prothonotary shall, concurrently with their filing, be served by a party or person acting on behalf of that party or person on all other parties to the matter. Service on a party represented by counsel shall be made on counsel.

 (c) Manner of service.—Service may be:

 (1) by personal service, which includes delivery of the copy to a clerk or other responsible person at the office of the person served, but does not include inter-office mail;

 (2) by first class, express, or priority United States Postal Service mail;

 (3) by commercial carrier with delivery intended to be at least as expeditious as first class mail if the carrier can verify the date of delivery to it;

 (4) by facsimile or e-mail with the agreement of the party being served as stated in the certificate of service.

 Service by mail is complete on mailing.

 (d) Proof of service.—Papers presented for filing shall contain an acknowledgement of service by the person served[,] or proof of service certified by the person who made service. Acknowledgement or proof of service may appear on or be affixed to the papers filed. The clerk may permit papers to be filed without acknowledgement or proof of service but shall require such to be filed promptly thereafter.

 (e) Additional time after service by mail and commercial carrier.—Whenever a party is required or permitted to do an act within a prescribed period after service of a paper upon that party (other than an order of a court or other government unit) and the paper is served by United States mail or by commercial carrier, three days shall be added to the prescribed period.

 Official Note:

 [Subdivision] Paragraph (a)—The term ''related papers'' in [subdivision] paragraph (a) of this rule includes any appeal papers required [under Rule 1702 (stay ancillary to appeal)] by Pa.R.A.P. 1702 as a prerequisite to an application for a stay or similar relief.

 In 2008, the term ''paperbooks'' was replaced with ''briefs and reproduced records'' throughout these rules. The reference to the deemed filing date for paperbooks when first class mail was used that was formerly found in [subdivision] paragraph (a) is now found in Rule 2185 regarding filing briefs and in Rule 2186 regarding filing reproduced records.

 As to pro se filings by persons incarcerated in correctional facilities, see Commonwealth v. Jones, [549 Pa. 58,] 700 A.2d 423 (Pa. 1997); Smith v. Pa. Bd. of Prob. & Parole, [546 Pa. 115,] 683 A.2d 278 (Pa. 1996); Commonwealth v. Johnson, 860 A.2d 146 (Pa. Super. 2004) (overruled in part on other grounds).

 [Subdivision] Paragraph (c)—An acknowledgement of service may be executed by an individual other than the person served, [e.g.] for example, by a clerk or other responsible person.

 [Subdivision] Paragraph (d)—With respect to appearances by new counsel following the initial docketing of appearances pursuant to [subdivision] paragraph (d) of this rule, please note the requirements of [Rule 120 (entry of appearance)] Pa.R.A.P. 120.

 [Subdivision] Paragraph (e)—[Subdivision] Paragraph (e) of the rule does not apply to the filing of a notice of appeal, a petition for allowance of appeal, a petition for permission to appeal, or a petition for reconsideration or [re-argument] reargument, since under these rules the time for filing such papers runs from the entry and service of the related order, nor to the filing of a petition for review or a petition for specialized review, which [is] are governed by similar considerations. However, these rules permit the filing of such notice and petitions (except a petition for reconsideration or [re-argument] reargument) in the local county (generally in the county [court house] courthouse; otherwise in a post office), thus eliminating a major problem under the prior practice. The amendments to [Rules] Pa.R.A.P. 903(b), 1113(b), and 1512(a)(2) clarified that [subdivision] paragraph (e) does apply to calculating the deadline for filing cross-appeals, cross-petitions for allowance of appeal and additional petitions for review or specialized review.

CHAPTER 3. ORDERS FROM WHICH APPEALS MAY BE TAKEN

IN GENERAL

Rule 301. Requisites for an Appealable Order.

 (a) Entry upon docket below.

 (1) Except as provided in [paragraph (2) of this subdivision] subparagraph (2) of this paragraph, no order of a court shall be appealable until it has been entered upon the appropriate docket in the [lower] trial court. Where under the applicable practice below an order is entered in two or more dockets, the order has been entered for the purposes of appeal when it has been entered in the first appropriate docket.

 (2) In a criminal case in which no post-sentence motion has been filed, a judgment of sentence is appealable upon the imposition of sentence in open court.

 (b) Separate document required.—Every order shall be set forth on a separate document.

 (c) Nonappealable orders.—Except as provided in [subdivision] paragraph (a)(2), a direction by the lower court that a specified judgment, sentence or other order shall be entered, unaccompanied by actual entry of the specified order in the docket, does not constitute an appealable order. Any such order shall be docketed before an appeal is taken.

 (d) Entry of appealable orders.—Subject to any inconsistent general rule applicable to particular classes of matters, the clerk of the [lower] trial court shall, on praecipe of any party (except a party who by law may not praecipe for entry of an adverse order), forthwith prepare, sign, and enter an appropriate order, judgment, or final decree in the docket, evidencing any action from which an appeal lies either as of right or upon permission to appeal or allowance of appeal or by petition for specialized review.

 (e) Emergency appeals.—Where the exigency of the case is such as to impel an immediate appeal and the party intending to appeal an adverse action is unable to secure the formal entry of an appealable order pursuant to the usual procedures, the party may file in the [lower] trial court and serve a praecipe for entry of an adverse order, which action shall constitute entry of an appealable order for the purposes of these rules. The interlocutory or final nature of the action shall not be affected by this [subdivision] paragraph.

 Official Note: See [Rules of Appellate Procedure] Pa.R.A.P. 311 authorizing interlocutory appeals as of right, 312 authorizing interlocutory appeals by permission, 313 authorizing appeals from collateral orders, and 341 to [843] 343 authorizing appeals from final orders.

 See also [Rules of Appellate Procedure] Pa.R.A.P. 903 governing time for filing notice of appeal, 1113 governing time for filing petition for allowance of appeal, 1311(b) governing time for filing petition for permission for appeal, [and] 1512 governing time for filing petition for review, and 1602(a) governing time for filing specialized petition for review.

 The 1986 Amendment to [Rule 301 states] Pa.R.A.P. 301 stated that no order shall be appealable until entered in the docket and [deletes] deleted reference to reduction of an order to judgment as a prerequisite for appeal in every case. This deletion does not eliminate the requirement of reduction of an order to judgment in an appropriate case. Due to the variety of orders issued by courts in different kinds of cases, no single rule can delineate the requirements applicable in all cases. [The bar is cautioned that if] If the applicable practice or case law requires that an order be reduced to judgment or final decree before it becomes final, that requirement must still be met before the order can be appealed, and parties are cautioned that an appellate court may remand or take other steps under Pa.R.A.P. 902 if the prerequisites are not satisfied. Pa.R.C.P. 3021 sets forth the orders that the prothonotary is to enter in the judgment index and Pa.R.C.P. 227.4 provides a mechanism for parties to praecipe for judgment in certain circumstances. See also Pa.R.C.P. 236 and 237.

 [An appeal may be remanded or subject to other appropriate action of the appellate court when the order is such that it may be reduced to judgment or final decree and entered in the docket but such action has not been taken. Rule 902. Examples of orders which may be remanded under Rule 902 when the order appealed from has not been reduced to judgment or final decree include:

 1. an order denying a motion for a new trial or judgment notwithstanding the verdict after a trial by jury, Dennis v. Smith, 288 Pa. Super 185, 431 A.2d 350 (1981);

 2. an order dismissing exceptions to the decision after a trial without jury, Black Top Paving Co., Inc. v. John Carlo, Inc., 292 Pa. Super. 404, 437 A.2d 756 (1981); and

 3. an order dismissing exceptions to the decree nisi in an equity action, Kopchak v. Springer, 292 Pa. Super. 441, 437 A.2d 756 (1981).

 An appeal will also be quashed where the order appealed from is interlocutory and the appeal is not authorized by Rule 311 governing interlocutory appeals as of right or Rule 312 governing interlocutory appeals by permission. Examples of interlocutory orders include:

 1. an order granting a petition for appointment of an arbitrator, Cassidy v. Keystone Ins. Co., 297 Pa. Super. 421, 443 A.2d 1193 (1982); and

 2. an order relating to alimony pendente lite, and interim counsel fees and expenses is not appealable. Fried v. Fried, Pa., 501 A.2d 211 (1985).

 Subdivision (a) extends former Supreme Court Rule 19A and former Commonwealth Court Rule 29A to the Superior Court. The second sentence of the subdivision codifies Stotsenburg v. Frost, 465 Pa. 187, 348 A.2d 418 (1975).

 The requirement of Subdivision (b) for a separate document is patterned after Fed. Rules Civ. Proc. 58, as interpreted in United States v. Indrelunas, 93 S.Ct. 1562, 411 U.S. 216, 36 L.Ed.2d 202 (1973), so as to render certain the date on which an order is entered for purposes of computing the running of the time for appeal. See also Bankers Trust Co. v. Mallis, 98 S.Ct. 1117, 435 U.S. 381, 55 L.Ed.2d.357 (1978) (requirement of separate document may be waived by appellee). This requirement is intended to control over an inconsistent civil (including orphans' court) or criminal procedural rule, since such rules are not primarily concerned with the appellate process.

 Subdivision (c) sets forth the frequently overlooked requirement for an appealable order that an order must be docketed before it may be appealed. The subdivision also sets forth the rule that an appeal is premature where the Court directs that a judgment sentence or order be entered in the docket and the prothonotary fails to do so. Friedman v. Kasser, 293 Pa. Super. 294, 438 A.2d 1001 (1981). Moreover, an order of Court then directing that a complaint as set forth will be dismissed upon the passage of time or occurrence or failure of an event is not appealable; only a subsequent order of dismissal would be appealable. See Ayre v. Mountaintop Area Joint San. Auth., 58 Pa. Cmwlth. 510, 427 A.2d 1294 (1981).

 This rule does not supersede rules such as Pa. R. Civ. Proc. 237 which impose additional requirements or procedures in connection with filing a praecipe for a final order.

 Subdivision (d) provides a remedy for the appellant where no appealable order has been entered on the docket, and is similar to Pa. R. Civ. P. 227.4. The exception refers to cases such as certain matrimonial matters, where it has been held that the defendant is not entitled to cause an adverse decision to be formally entered as judgment. See, e.g., Mirarchi v. Mirarchi, 226 Pa. Super. 53, 311 A.2d 698 (1973).

 The filing in the lower court required by Subdivision (e) may under Rule 121(a) (filing) be made with a judge of the lower court in connection with an application under Chapter 17 (effect of appeals, supersedeas and stays).]

 The filing in the trial court required by paragraph (e) may be accompanied by an application to the trial court for relief such as a stay or supersedeas under Chapter 17.

 See Pa.R.A.P. [108 and Explanatory Comment—2007 thereto] 108(d), Pa.R.A.P. 903(c)(3), and Pa.R.Crim.P. [462] 462(G), 720, and 721 governing criminal appeals.

Explanatory Comment—1976

 Language clarified to conform to Stotsenburg v. Frost, 465 Pa. 187, 348 A.2d 418 (1975).

INTERLOCUTORY APPEALS

Rule 313. Collateral Orders.

 (a) General [Rule] rule.—An appeal may be taken as of right from a collateral order of [an administrative agency or lower court] a trial court or other government unit.

 (b) Definition.—A collateral order is an order separable from and collateral to the main cause of action where the right involved is too important to be denied review and the question presented is such that if review is postponed until final judgment in the case, the claim will be irreparably lost.

 [Official Note: Rule 313 is a codification of existing case law with respect to collateral orders. See Pugar v. Greco, 483 Pa. 68, 73, 394 A.2d 542, 545 (1978) (quoting Cohen v. Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 U.S. 541 (1949)). Examples of collateral orders include orders denying pre-trial motions to dismiss based on double jeopardy in which the court does not find the motion frivolous, Commonwealth v. Brady, 510 Pa. 336, 508 A.2d 286, 289—91 (1986) (allowing an immediate appeal from denial of double jeopardy claim under collateral order doctrine where trial court does not make a finding of frivolousness); if the trial court finds the motion frivolous, the defendant may secure review only by first filing a petition for review under Pa.R.A.P. 1573. See Commonwealth v. Orie, 22 A.3d 1021 (Pa. 2011). Other examples of collateral orders are an order denying a petition to permit the payment of death taxes, Hankin v. Hankin, 338 Pa. Super. 442, 487 A.2d 1363 (1985); and an order denying a petition for removal of an executor, Re: Estate of Georgianna, 312 Pa. Super. 339, 458 A.2d 989 (1983), aff'd, 504 Pa. 510, 475 A.2d 744. Thorough discussions of the collateral order doctrine as it has been applied by Pennsylvania appellate courts are found in the following sources: Darlington, McKeon, Schuckers and Brown, 1 Pennsylvania Appellate Practice Second Edition, §§ 313:1—313:201 (1994) and Byer, Appealable Orders under the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedures in Practice and Procedures in Pennsylvania Appellate Courts (PBI No. 1994-869); Pines, Pennsylvania Appellate Practice: Procedural Requirements and the Vagaries of Jurisdiction, 91 Dick.L.Rev. 55, 107—115 (1986).

 If an order falls under Rule 313, an immediate appeal may be taken as of right simply by filing a notice of appeal. The procedures set forth in Rules 341(c) and 1311 do not apply under Rule 313.]

 Official Note: If an order meets the definition of a collateral order, it is appealed by filing a notice of appeal.

 Pa.R.A.P. 313 is a codification of existing case law with respect to collateral orders. See Pugar v. Greco, 394 A.2d 542, 545 (Pa. 1978) (quoting Cohen v. Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 U.S. 541 (1949)).

 Pennsylvania appellate courts have found a number of classes of orders to fit the collateral order definition. Collateral order cases are collected and discussed in Darlington, McKeon, Schuckers and Brown, Pennsylvania Appellate Practice 2015-2016 Edition, §§ 313:1—313:201. Examples include an order denying a petition to permit the payment of death taxes, Hankin v. Hankin, 487 A.2d 1363 (Pa. Super. 1985), and an order denying a petition for removal of an executor, Re: Estate of Georgianna, 458 A.2d 989 (Pa. Super. 1983), aff'd, 475 A.2d 744 (Pa. 1984), and an order denying a pre-trial motion to dismiss on double jeopardy grounds if the trial court does not also make a finding that the motion to dismiss is frivolous. See Commonwealth v. Brady, 508 A.2d 286, 289-91 (Pa. 1986) (allowing an immediate appeal from denial of double jeopardy claim under collateral order doctrine where trial court does not make a finding of frivolousness); Commonwealth v. Orie, 22 A.3d 1021 (Pa. 2011). An order denying a pre-trial motion to dismiss on double jeopardy grounds that also finds that the motion to dismiss is frivolous is not appealable as of right as a collateral order, but may be appealable by permission under Pa.R.A.P. 1311(a)(3).

FINAL ORDERS

Rule 341. Final Orders; Generally.

 (a) General [Rule] rule.—Except as prescribed in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this rule, an appeal may be taken as of right from any final order of a government unit or trial court.

 (b) Definition of [Final Order] final order.—A final order is any order that:

 (1) disposes of all claims and of all parties; or

 (2) (Rescinded).

 (3) is entered as a final order pursuant to paragraph (c) of this rule.

 (c) Determination of finality.—When more than one claim for relief is presented in an action, whether as a claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, or when multiple parties are involved, the trial court or other government unit may enter a final order as to one or more but fewer than all of the claims and parties only upon an express determination that an immediate appeal would facilitate resolution of the entire case. Such an order becomes appealable when entered. In the absence of such a determination and entry of a final order, any order or other form of decision that adjudicates fewer than all the claims and parties shall not constitute a final order. In addition, the following conditions shall apply:

 (1) The trial court or other government unit is required to act on an application for a determination of finality under paragraph (c) within 30 days of entry of the order. During the time an application for a determination of finality is pending the action is stayed.

 (2) A notice of appeal may be filed within 30 days after entry of an order as amended unless a shorter time period is provided in Pa.R.A.P. 903(c). Any denial of such an application [shall be reviewable only for abuse of discretion pursuant to Chapter 15] is reviewable only through a petition for permission to appeal under Pa.R.A.P. 1311.

 (3) Unless the trial court or other government unit acts on the application within 30 days of entry of the order, the trial court or other government unit shall no longer consider the application and it shall be deemed denied.

 [(4) The time for filing a petition for review will begin to run from the date of entry of the order denying the application for a determination of finality or, if the application is deemed denied, from the 31st day. A petition for review may be filed within 30 days of the entry of the order denying the application or within 30 days of the deemed denial unless a shorter time period is provided by Pa.R.A.P. 1512(b).]

 (d) Superior Court and Commonwealth Court [Orders] orders.—Except as prescribed by Pa.R.A.P. 1101 no appeal may be taken as of right from any final order of the Superior Court or of the Commonwealth Court.

 (e) Criminal [Orders] orders.—An appeal may be taken by the Commonwealth from any final order in a criminal matter only in the circumstances provided by law.

 Official Note: Related Constitutional and [Statutory Provisions] statutory provisions—Section 9 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania provides that ''there shall be a right of appeal from a court of record or from an administrative agency to a court of record or to an appellate court.'' The constitutional provision is implemented by 2 Pa.C.S. § 702, 2 Pa.C.S. § 752, and 42 Pa.C.S. § 5105.

 Criminal [Law Proceedings] law proceedings—Commonwealth [Appeals] appeals—Orders that do not dispose of the entire case that were formerly appealable [under Pa.R.A.P. 341] by the Commonwealth in criminal cases [as heretofore provided by law, but which do not dispose of the entire case, are now] are under Pa.R.A.P. 341 appealable as interlocutory appeals as of right under paragraph (d) of Pa.R.A.P. 311.

 Final [Orders—Pre- and Post-1992] orders—pre-and post-1992 Practice—The 1992 amendment generally [eliminates] eliminated appeals as of right under Pa.R.A.P. 341 from orders [not ending] that do not end the litigation as to all claims and as to all parties. [Formerly, there was case law that orders not ending the litigation as to all claims and all parties are final orders if such orders have the practical consequence of putting a litigant out of court.] Prior to 1992, there were cases that deemed an order final if it had the practical effect of putting a party out of court, even if the order did not end the litigation as to all claims and all parties.

 A party needs to file only a single notice of appeal to secure review of prior non-final orders that are made final by the entry of a final order, see K.H. v. J.R., 826 A.2d 863, 870-71 (Pa. 2003) (following trial); Betz v. Pneumo Abex LLC, 44 A.3d 27, 54 (Pa. 2012) (summary judgment). Where, however, one or more orders resolves issues arising on more than one docket or relating to more than one judgment, separate notices of appeal must be filed. Commonwealth v. C.M.K., 932 A.2d 111, 113 & n.3 (Pa. Super. 2007) (quashing appeal taken by single notice of appeal from order on remand for consideration under Pa.R.Crim.P. 607 of two persons' judgments of sentence).

 The 1997 amendments to paragraphs (a) and (c), substituting the conjunction ''and'' for ''or,'' are not substantive. The amendments merely clarify that by definition any order [which] that disposes of all claims will dispose of all parties and any order that disposes of all parties will dispose of all claims.

 Rescission of subparagraph (b)(2)—Former subparagraph (b)(2) provided for appeals of orders defined as final by statute. The 2015 rescission of subparagraph (b)(2) eliminated a potential waiver trap created by legislative use of the adjective ''final'' to describe orders that were procedurally interlocutory but nonetheless designated as appealable as of right. Failure to appeal immediately an interlocutory order deemed final by statute waived the right to challenge the order on appeal from the final judgment. Rescinding subparagraph (b)(2) eliminated this potential waiver of the right to appeal. If an order designated as appealable by a statute disposes of all claims and of all parties, it is appealable as a final order pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 341. If the order does not meet that standard, then it is interlocutory regardless of the statutory description. Pa.R.A.P. 311(a)(8) provides for appeal as of right from an order that is made final or appealable by statute or general rule, even though the order does not dispose of all claims or of all parties and, thus, is interlocutory[;]. Pa.R.A.P. 311(g) addresses waiver if no appeal is taken immediately from such interlocutory order.

 One of the further effects of the rescission of subparagraph (b)(2) is to change the basis for appealability of orders that do not end the case but grant or deny a declaratory judgment. See Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co. v. Wickett, 763 A.2d 813, 818 (Pa. 2000); Pa. Bankers Ass'n v. Pa. Dep't. of Banking, 948 A.2d 790, 798 (Pa. 2008). The effect of the rescission is to eliminate waiver for failure to take an immediate appeal from such an order. A party aggrieved by an interlocutory order granting or denying a declaratory judgment, where the order satisfies the criteria for ''finality'' under Pennsylvania Bankers Association, may elect to proceed under Pa.R.A.P. 311(a)(8) or wait until the end of the case and proceed under subparagraph (b)(1) of this rule.

 An arbitration order appealable under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7320(a) may be interlocutory or final. If it disposes of all claims and all parties, it is final, and, thus, appealable pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 341. If the order does not dispose of all claims and parties, that is, the order is not final, but rather interlocutory, it is appealable pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 311. Failure to appeal an interlocutory order appealable as of right may result in waiver of objections to the order. See Pa.R.A.P. 311(g).

 Paragraph (c)—Determination of [Finality] finality—Paragraph (c) permits an immediate appeal from an order dismissing less than all claims or parties from a case only upon an express determination that an immediate appeal would facilitate resolution of the entire case. Factors to be considered under paragraph (c) include, but are not limited to:

 (1) whether there is a significant relationship between adjudicated and unadjudicated claims;

 (2) whether there is a possibility that an appeal would be mooted by further developments;

 (3) whether there is a possibility that the court or government unit will consider issues a second time; and

 (4) whether an immediate appeal will enhance prospects of settlement.

 The failure of a party to apply to the government unit or trial court for a determination of finality pursuant to paragraph (c) shall not constitute a waiver and the matter may be raised in a subsequent appeal following the entry of a final order disposing of all claims and all parties.

 Where the government unit or trial court refuses to amend its order to include the express determination that an immediate appeal would facilitate resolution of the entire case and refuses to enter a final order, a petition for [review under Chapter 15] permission to appeal under Pa.R.A.P. 1311 of the unappealable order of denial is the exclusive mode of review [to determine whether the case is so egregious as to justify prerogative appellate correction of the exercise of discretion by the lower tribunal. See, e.g., Pa.R.A.P. 1311, Official Note]. The filing of such a petition [for review] does not prevent the trial court or other government unit from proceeding further with the matter pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1701(b)(6). Of course, as in any case, the appellant [could] may apply for a discretionary stay of the proceeding below.

 Subparagraph (c)(2) provides for a stay of the action pending determination of an application for a determination of finality. If the application is denied, and a petition for [review] permission to appeal is filed challenging the denial, a stay or supersedeas will issue only as provided under Chapter 17 of these rules.

 In the event that a trial court or other government unit enters a final order pursuant to paragraph (c) of this rule, the trial court or other government unit may no longer proceed further in the matter, except as provided in Pa.R.A.P. 1701(b)(1)—(5).

 [The following is a partial list of orders previously interpreted by the courts as appealable as final orders under Pa.R.A.P. 341 that are no longer appealable as of right unless the trial court or government unit makes an express determination that an immediate appeal would facilitate resolution of the entire case and expressly enters a final order pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 341(c):

 (1) an order dismissing one of several causes of action pleaded in a complaint but leaving pending other causes of action;

 (2) an order dismissing a complaint but leaving pending a counterclaim;

 (3) an order dismissing a counterclaim but leaving pending the complaint that initiated the action;

 (4) an order dismissing an action as to less than all plaintiffs or as to less than all defendants but leaving pending the action as to other plaintiffs and other defendants;

 (5) an order granting judgment against one defendant but leaving pending the complaint against other defendants; and

 (6) an order dismissing a complaint to join an additional defendant or denying a petition to join an additional defendant or denying a petition for late joinder of an additional defendant.

 The 1997 amendment adding subparagraph (c)(3) provided for a deemed denial where the trial court or other government unit fails to act on the application within 30 days.]

CHAPTER 5. PERSONS WHO MAY TAKE OR PARTICIPATE IN APPEALS

IN GENERAL

Rule 502. Substitution of Parties.

 (a) Death of a party.—If a party dies after a notice of appeal or petition for review is filed or while a matter is otherwise pending in an appellate court, the personal representative of the deceased party may be substituted as a party on application filed by the representative or by any party with the prothonotary of the appellate court. The application of a party shall be served upon the representative in accordance with the provisions of [Rule 123 (applications for relief)] Pa.R.A.P. 123. If the deceased party has no representative, any party may suggest the death on the record and proceedings shall then be had as the appellate court may direct. If a party against whom an appeal may be taken or a petition for review may be filed dies after entry of an order below but before a notice of appeal or petition for review is filed, an appellant may proceed as if death had not occurred. After the notice of appeal or petition for review is filed, substitution shall be effected in the appellate court in accordance with this [subdivision] paragraph. If a party entitled to appeal or petition for review shall die before filing a notice of appeal or petition for review, the notice of appeal or petition for review may be filed by his personal representative, or, if he has no personal representative, by his counsel, within the time prescribed by these rules. After the notice of appeal or petition for review is filed, substitution shall be effected in the appellate court in accordance with this [subdivision] paragraph.

 (b) Substitution in other cases or for other causes.—If substitution of a party in an appellate court is necessary in connection with a petition for allowance of appeal [or], a petition for permission to appeal, a petition for specialized review, or in connection with any [other] matter other than a notice of appeal or petition for review, or if substitution of a party in an appellate court is necessary for any reason other than death, substitution shall be effected in accordance with the procedure prescribed in [Subdivision] paragraph (a) of this rule.

 (c) Death or separation from office of public officer.—When a public officer is a party to an appeal or other matter in an appellate court in his official capacity and during its pendency dies, resigns, or otherwise ceases to hold office, the matter does not abate and his successor is automatically substituted as a party. Proceedings following the substitution shall be in the name of the substituted party, but any misnomer not affecting the substantial rights of the parties shall be disregarded. An order of substitution may be entered at any time, but the omission to enter such an order shall not affect the substitution.

 Official Note: [Pa.R.Civ.P. 2351 to 2375] Pa.R.C.P. 2351 to 2374 relate to substitution of parties in the courts of common pleas, but this rule, which is patterned after [Fed. Rules App. Proc. 43(a), (b) and (c)(1)] Fed.R.App.P. 43, covers the subject in the appellate courts for the first time.

FORMA PAUPERIS

Rule 553. Application in Appellate Court.

 (a) General rule.—A party who has been denied relief under [Rule 552 (application to lower court for leave to appeal in forma pauperis)] Pa.R.A.P. 552, or who has been unable to file an application under such rule because the matter is an original action in the appellate court, or a petition for review or petition for specialized review proceeding relating to a government unit other than a court, or for any other reason, may apply to the appellate court for leave to proceed in forma pauperis in the appellate court.

 (b) Form and procedure.—An application under this rule shall be governed by [Rule] Pa.R.A.P. 552 so far as it may be applied.

 Official Note: [See former Supreme Court Rule 61(d), which required an affidavit (verified statement) in all cases.] Unlike the prior rule, this rule makes clear that [the] an application may be [renewed] made in the appellate court even if it has been denied in the trial court.

CHAPTER 7. COURTS TO WHICH APPEALS SHALL BE TAKEN

IN GENERAL

Rule 701. Interlocutory Orders.

 An appeal authorized by law from an interlocutory order [in a matter] shall be taken to, [and] petitions for permission to appeal from an interlocutory order [in a matter], and petitions for specialized review shall be filed in[,] the appellate court having jurisdiction of final orders in such matters.

 Official Note: Based on 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(a) [(appeals authorized by law)].

Rule 702. Final Orders.

 (a) General rule.—An appeal authorized by law from a final order shall be taken to, and petitions for allowance of appeal from a final order shall be filed in, the appellate court vested by law with jurisdiction over appeals from such order.

 (b) Matters tried with capital offenses.—If an appeal is taken to the Supreme Court under [Rule 1941 (review of death sentences)] Pa.R.A.P. 1941, any other appeals relating to sentences for lesser offenses imposed on a defendant as a result of the same criminal episode or transaction and tried with the capital offense shall also be taken to the Supreme Court.

 (c) Supervision of special prosecutions or investigations.—All petitions for specialized review under Rule [3331 (review of special prosecutions or investigations)] 1611 shall be filed in the Supreme Court.

 Official Note: [Because of frequent legislative modifications it is not desirable to attempt at this time to restate appellate court jurisdiction in these rules. However, the] The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts publishes from time to time at 204 Pa. Code § 201.2 an unofficial chart of the Unified Judicial System showing the appellate jurisdiction of the several courts of this Commonwealth, and it is expected that the several publishers of these rules will include a copy of the current version of such chart in their respective publications.

 [Subdivisions] Paragraphs (b) and (c) are based upon 42 Pa.C.S. § 722(1) [(direct appeals from courts of common pleas)]. Under [Rule 751 (transfer of erroneously filed cases)] Pa.R.A.P. 751, an appeal from a lesser offense improvidently taken to the Superior Court or the Commonwealth Court will be transferred to the Supreme Court for consideration and decision with the capital offense.

 Under [Rule 701 (interlocutory orders)] Pa.R.A.P. 701, the jurisdiction described in [Subdivision] paragraph (c) extends also to interlocutory orders. See [Rule 102 (definitions)] Pa.R.A.P. 102 where the term ''appeal'' includes proceedings on petition for review and petitions for specialized review. Ordinarily [Rule] Pa.R.A.P. 701 will have no application to matters within the scope of [Subdivision] paragraph (b), since that [subdivision] paragraph is contingent upon entry of a final order in the form of a sentence of death; the mere possibility of such a sentence is not [intended to give the] a basis for Supreme Court direct appellate jurisdiction over interlocutory orders in homicide and related cases [since generally a death sentence is not imposed], because it is the imposition of the sentence of death that triggers Supreme Court direct review. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(h).

ARTICLE II. APPELLATE PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 9. APPEALS FROM LOWER COURTS

Rule 901. Scope of Chapter.

 This chapter applies to all appeals from a trial court to an appellate court except:

 (1) An appeal by allowance taken under 42 Pa.C.S. § 724 [(allowance of appeals from Superior and Commonwealth Courts)]. See [Rule 1112 (appeals by allowance)] Pa.R.A.P. 1112.

 (2) An appeal by permission taken [under 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b) (interlocutory appeals by permission)] pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1311. [See Rule 1311 (interlocutory appeals by permission).]

 (3) An appeal [which may be] taken by petition for specialized review pursuant to [Rule 1762(b)(2), which governs applications relating to bail when no appeal is pending] Chapter 16.

 [(4) An appeal which may be taken by petition for review pursuant to Rule 1770, which governs out of home placement in juvenile delinquency matters.

 (5)] (4) Automatic review of sentences pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 9711(h) [(review of death sentence)]. See [Rule 1941 (review of death sentences)] Pa.R.A.P. 1941.

 [(6) An appeal which may be taken by petition for review pursuant to Rule 3331 (review of special prosecutions or investigations).

 (7) An appeal which may be taken only by a petition for review pursuant to Rule 1573, which governs review when a trial court has denied a motion to dismiss on the basis of double jeopardy as frivolous.]

CHAPTER 13. INTERLOCUTORY APPEALS BY PERMISSION

Rule 1311. Interlocutory Appeals by Permission.

 (a) General rule.—An appeal may be taken by permission [under 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b) (interlocutory appeals by permission) from any interlocutory order of a lower court or other government unit. See Rule 312 (interlocutory appeals by permission).] from an interlocutory order:

 (1) certified under 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b) or for which certification pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b) was denied, see Pa.R.A.P. 312;

 (2) for which certification pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 341(c) was denied; or

 (3) that determined that a defendant's motion to dismiss on the basis of double jeopardy is frivolous.

 (b) Petition for permission to appeal.—Permission to appeal from an interlocutory order [containing the statement prescribed by 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b)] listed in paragraph (a) may be sought by filing a petition for permission to appeal with the prothonotary of the appellate court within 30 days after entry of such order in the [lower] trial court or other government unit with proof of service on all other parties to the matter in the [lower] trial court or other government unit and on the government unit or clerk of the [lower] trial court, who shall file the petition of record in such [lower] trial court. An application for an amendment of an interlocutory order to set forth expressly either the statement specified in 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b) or the one in Pa.R.A.P. 341(c) shall be filed with the [lower] trial court or other government unit within 30 days after the entry of such interlocutory order, and permission to appeal may be sought within 30 days after entry of the order as amended. Unless the trial court or other government unit acts on the application within 30 days after it is filed, the trial court or other government unit shall no longer consider the application and it shall be deemed denied. If the petition for permission to appeal is transmitted to the prothonotary of the appellate court by means of first class, express, or priority United States Postal Service mail, the petition shall be deemed received by the prothonotary for the purposes of Rule 121(a) [(filing)] on the date deposited in the United States mail, as shown on a United States Postal Service Form 3817 Certificate of Mailing, or other similar United States Postal Service form from which the date of deposit can be verified. The certificate of mailing or other similar Postal Service form from which the date of deposit can be verified shall be cancelled by the Postal Service, shall show the docket number of the matter in the [lower] trial court or other government unit and shall be either enclosed with the petition or separately mailed to the prothonotary. The petitioner must file the original and one copy. Upon actual receipt of the petition for permission to appeal, the prothonotary of the appellate court shall immediately stamp it with the date of actual receipt. That date, or the date of earlier deposit in the United States mail as prescribed in this subdivision, shall constitute the date when permission to appeal was sought, which date shall be shown on the docket. The prothonotary of the appellate court shall immediately note the appellate docket number assignment upon the petition for permission to appeal and give written notice of the docket number assignment in person or by first class mail to the government unit or clerk of the [lower] trial court, to the petitioner, and to the other persons named in the proof of service accompanying the petition.

 (c) Fee.—The petitioner upon filing the petition for permission to appeal shall pay any fee therefor prescribed by Chapter 27 [(fees and costs in appellate courts and on appeal)].

 (d) Entry of appearance.—Upon the filing of the petition for permission to appeal, the prothonotary of the appellate court shall note on the record as counsel for the petitioner the name of counsel, if any, set forth in or endorsed upon the petition for permission to appeal, and, as counsel for other parties, counsel, if any, named in the proof of service. The prothonotary shall upon praecipe of any such counsel for other parties, filed at any time within 30 days after filing of the petition, strike off or correct the record of appearance. Thereafter a counsel's appearance for a party may not be withdrawn without leave of court, unless another lawyer has entered or simultaneously enters an appearance for the party.

 Official Note: [Based on 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b) (interlocutory appeals by permission). See note to Rule 903 (time for appeal). Compare 42 Pa.C.S. § 5574 (effect of application for amendment to qualify for interlocutory appeal).] Pa.R.A.P. 1311 originally implemented only 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b). The accompanying note provided that an order refusing to certify an order as meeting the requirements of 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b) was reviewed by filing of a petition for review under Chapter 15. The rule was amended in 2016 to expand the use of a petition for permission to appeal to requests for review of interlocutory orders that were not certified for immediate review pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b) or Pa.R.A.P. 341(c) and of interlocutory orders that found a criminal defendant's claim that further proceedings would cause the defendant to be placed in double jeopardy to be frivolous.

 See the Official Note to [Rule 1112 (appeals by allowance)] Pa.R.A.P. 1112 for an explanation of the procedure when Form 3817 or other similar United States Postal Service form from which the date of deposit can be verified is used.

 [Where the administrative agency or lower court refuses to amend its order to include the prescribed statement, a petition for review under Chapter 15 of the unappealable order of denial is the proper mode of determining whether the case is so egregious as to justify prerogative appellate correction of the exercise of discretion by the lower tribunal. If the petition for review is granted in such a case, the effect (as in the Federal practice under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b)) is the same as if a petition for permission to appeal had been filed and granted, and no separate petition for permission to appeal need be filed.

 The 1997 amendment to subdivision (b) provides for a deemed denial where the trial court or other governmental unit fails to act on the application within 30 days. Under such circumstances, a party may need to file a praecipe for entry of the deemed denial pursuant to Rule 301(d).

 With regard to subdivision (d) and withdrawal of appearance without leave of the appellate court, counsel may nonetheless be subject to trial court supervision pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 904 (Entry of Appearance and Appointment of Counsel; In Forma Pauperis).]

 With respect to appearances by new counsel following the initial docketing of appearances pursuant to [Subdivision] paragraph (d) of this rule, please note the requirements of [Rule] Pa.R.A.P. 120.

Rule 1312. Content of the Petition for Permission to Appeal.

 (a) General rule.—The petition for permission to appeal need not be set forth in numbered paragraphs in the manner of a pleading, and shall contain the following (which shall, insofar as practicable, be set forth in the order stated):

 (1) A statement of the basis for the jurisdiction of the appellate court.

 (2) The text of the order in question, or the portions thereof sought to be reviewed [(including the statement by the lower court or other government unit that the order involves a controlling question of law as to which there is a substantial ground for difference of opinion and that an immediate appeal from the order may materially advance the ultimate termination of the matter), and the date of its], the text of any order ruling on any subsequent request for certification, the date of their entry in the trial court or other government unit [below]. If the [order is] order(s) are voluminous, it may, if more convenient, be appended to the petition.

 (3) A concise statement of the case containing the facts necessary to an understanding of the [controlling questions of law determined by the order of the lower] basis for the order of the trial court or other government unit.

 (4) The [controlling] proposed questions [of law] presented for review, expressed in the terms and circumstances of the case but without unnecessary detail. The statement of questions presented will be deemed to include every subsidiary question fairly comprised therein. Only the questions set forth in the petition, or fairly comprised therein, will ordinarily be considered by the court in the event permission to appeal is granted.

 (5) A concise statement of the reasons [why a substantial ground exists for a difference of opinion on the questions and why an immediate appeal may materially advance the termination of the matter.] for an immediate appeal:

 (i) For a petition for permission to appeal an order certified pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b), a statement of the reasons why the order involves a controlling question of law as to which there is a substantial ground for difference of opinion and that an appeal from the order may materially advance the ultimate termination of the matter;

 (ii) For a petition for permission to appeal an order for which certification pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b) was denied or deemed denied, a statement of reasons why the order involves a controlling question of law as to which there is substantial ground for difference of opinion and that an appeal from the order may materially advance the ultimate termination of the matter and why the refusal of certification was an abuse of the trial court's or other government unit's discretion;

 (iii) For a petition for permission to appeal an order for which certification pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 341(c) was denied or deemed denied, the petition must contain a statement of reasons why an immediate appeal would facilitate resolution of the entire case and why the refusal of certification was an abuse of the trial court's or other government unit's discretion;

 (iv) For a petition for permission to appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1311(a)(3), the petition must set forth why the claim of double jeopardy is colorable. The filing of a petition for permission to appeal a finding of frivolousness will not automatically stay the proceedings before the trial court, but a petitioner may file an application for a stay in the trial or appellate court pending the determination of the petition for permission to appeal, or the trial or appellate court may issue a stay sua sponte.

 (6) There shall be appended to the petition a copy of any opinions delivered relating to the order sought to be reviewed, as well as all opinions of [lower] trial courts or other government units in the case, and, if reference thereto is necessary to ascertain the grounds of the order, opinions in companion cases. If whatever is required by this paragraph to be appended to the petition is voluminous, it may, if more convenient, be separately presented.

 (7) There shall be appended to the petition the verbatim texts of the pertinent provisions of constitutional provisions, statutes, ordinances, regulations, or other similar enactments which the case involves, and the citation to the volume and page where they are published, including the official edition, if any.

 (b) Caption and parties.—All parties to the proceeding in the [lower] trial court or other government unit other than petitioner shall be named as respondents, but respondents who support the position of the petitioner shall meet the time schedule for filing papers which is prescribed in this chapter for the petitioner, except that any response by such respondents to the petition shall be filed as promptly as possible after receipt of the petition.

 (c) No supporting brief.—All contentions in support of a petition for permission to appeal shall be set forth in the body of the petition as prescribed by [Paragraph] subparagraph (a)(5) of this rule. Neither the briefs below nor any separate brief in support of a petition for permission to appeal will be received, and the prothonotary of the appellate court will refuse to file any petition for permission to appeal to which is annexed or appended any brief below or supporting brief.

 (d) Essential requisites of petition.—The failure of a petitioner to present with accuracy, brevity, and clearness whatever is essential to a ready and adequate understanding of the points requiring consideration will be a sufficient reason for denying the petition.

 (e) Multiple petitioners.—Where permitted by [Rule 512 (joint appeals)] Pa.R.A.P. 512, multiple petitioners may file a single petition for permission to appeal [may be filed].

 [Official Note: Based on former Commonwealth Court Rule 114. Subdivision (a)(2) of this rule makes clear that the order of the tribunal below must contain a statement that the order involves a controlling question of law as to which there is a difference of opinion.

 Interlocutory appeals as of right may be taken by filing a notice of appeal under Chapter 9 (appeals from lower courts), rather than by petition under this rule. See Rule 311 (interlocutory appeals as of right).]

Rule 1316. Incorrect Use of Petition for Permission to Appeal [or Petition for Review].

 (a) General Rule.—The appellate court shall treat a request for discretionary review of an order [which] that is immediately appealable as a notice of appeal [under the following circumstances:] if the party has filed a timely petition for permission to appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1311.

 [(1) where a party has filed a timely petition for permission to appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1311; or

 (2) where a party has filed a timely petition for review from a trial court's refusal of a timely application pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1311 to amend the order to set forth expressly the statement specified in 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b).]

 (b) Additional Requirements.—The appellate court may require any additional actions necessary to perfect the appeal.

 Official Note: This [Rule] rule requires the appellate court to treat a timely, but erroneous, petition for permission to appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1311 from an order which is, in fact, immediately appealable as of right, as a timely notice of appeal. See, for example, Commonwealth v. Shull, 811 A.2d 1 (Pa.Super. 2002). This [Rule] rule supersedes Thermo-Guard, Inc. v. Cochran, 596 A.2d 188, 192 (Pa. Super. 1991), which stated, as dictum, that ''[. . . in the future,] where a petition for permission to appeal seeking review of a final order, appealable as of right, or of an interlocutory order made appealable as of right . . . is filed, this court should simply deny the petition.'' [Also, pursuant to subdivision (a)(2) of this Rule, where the trial court refuses an application to amend an order to set forth expressly the statement specified in 42 Pa.C.S. § 702(b), and that order was in fact appealable as of right, the appellate court shall treat a Chapter 15 petition for review of the trial court's refusal to amend as a notice of appeal.]

 Use of the term ''notice of appeal'' in this [Rule] rule is not intended to preclude treatment of the petition for permission to appeal as a petition for review if the proper method of appeal as of right would be a petition for review addressed to the Commonwealth Court's appellate jurisdiction found at 42 Pa.C.S. § 763.

Rule 1323. Denial of Permission to Appeal.

 If the petition for permission to appeal is denied, the prothonotary of the appellate court shall immediately give written notice in person or by first class mail of entry of the order denying permission to appeal to the government unit or clerk of the [lower] trial court and to each party who has appeared in the appellate court. A party wishing to seek review of the denial in the Supreme Court must file a timely petition for allowance of appeal.

CHAPTER 15. JUDICIAL REVIEW OF GOVERNMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

IN GENERAL

Rule 1501. Scope of Chapter.

 (a) General rule.—Except as otherwise prescribed by [Subdivisions] paragraphs (b) and (c) of this rule, this chapter applies to judicial review of the following government unit actions or inactions:

 (1) Appeals from an administrative agency (within the meaning of Section 9 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania) to an appellate court or pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 763(b).

 (2) Appeals to an appellate court pursuant to 2 Pa.C.S. § 702 [(appeals), 42 Pa.C.S. § 5105 (right to appellate review) or any other statute providing for judicial review of a determination of a government unit] or 42 Pa.C.S. § 5105.

 (3) Original jurisdiction actions heretofore cognizable in an appellate court by actions in the nature of equity, replevin, mandamus or quo warranto or for declaratory judgment, or upon writs of certiorari or prohibition.

 (4) [Matters designated by general rule, e.g., review of orders refusing to certify interlocutory orders for immediate appeal, release prior to sentence, appeals] Appeals under Section 17(d) of Article II of the Constitution of Pennsylvania [and review of special prosecutions or investigations].

 (5) Appeals pursuant to Supreme Court general rule, for example 42 Pa.C.S. § 725.

 (b) Appeals governed by other provisions of rules.—This chapter does not apply to any appeal within the scope of:

 (1) Chapter 9 [(appeals from lower courts)].

 (2) Chapter 11 [(appeals from Commonwealth Court and Superior Court)].

 (3) Chapter 13 [(interlocutory appeals by permission)], except that the provisions of this chapter and ancillary provisions of these rules applicable to practice and procedure on petition for review[, so far as they may be applied,] shall be applicable[: (a) where required by the Note to Rule 341 and the Note to Rule 1311; and (b)] after permission to appeal has been granted from a determination which, if final, would be subject to judicial review pursuant to this chapter.

 (4) [Rule 1941 (review of death sentences).] Chapter 16.

 (5) Pa.R.A.P. 1941.

 (c) Unsuspended statutory procedures.—This chapter does not apply to any appeal pursuant to the following statutory provisions, which are not suspended by these rules:

 (1) [Section 137 of Title 15 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Court to pass upon rejection of documents by Department of State).] 15 Pa.C.S. § 137.

 (2) The Pennsylvania Election Code, Act of June 3, 1937, PL. 1333, as amended, 25 P.S. §§ 2600—3591.

 (d) Jurisdiction of courts unaffected.—This chapter does not enlarge or otherwise modify the jurisdiction and powers of the Commonwealth Court or any other court.

 [Official Note: This chapter applies to review of any ''determination'' of a ''government unit'' as defined in Rule 102 assuming, of course, that the subject matter of the case is within the jurisdiction of a court subject to these rules (see Subdivision (d) of this rule). A ''determination'' means ''action or inaction by a government unit which action or inaction is subject to judicial review by a court under Section 9 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania or otherwise. The term includes an order entered by a government unit.'' The term ''government unit'' is all inclusive and means ''the Governor and the departments, boards, commissions, officers, authorities and other agencies of the Commonwealth, including the General Assembly and its officers and agencies and any court or other officer or agency of the unified judicial system, and any political subdivision or municipal or other local authority or any officer or agency of any such political subdivision or local authority. The term includes a board of arbitrators whose determination is subject to review under 42 Pa.C.S. § 763(b) (awards of arbitrators).'' The term ''administrative agency'' is not defined in these rules, although the term is used in these rules as a result of its appearance in Section 9 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.

 Subdivision (a)(4) was added in 2004 to recognize the references in various appellate rules and accompanying notes to petition for review practice. For example, the Notes to Rules 341 and 1311 direct counsel to file a petition for review of a trial court or government agency order refusing to certify an interlocutory order for immediate appeal. Similarly, Rule 1762 directs the filing of a petition for review when a party seeks release on bail before judgment of sentence is rendered, see Rule 1762(b), and Rule 1770 directs the filing of a petition for review when a juvenile seeks review of placement in a juvenile delinquency matter. A petition for review is also the proper method by which to seek judicial review pursuant to Rule 3321 (regarding legislative reapportionment commission) and Rule 3331 (regarding special prosecutions or investigations). The 2004 and 2012 amendments clarify the use of petitions for review in these special situations.

 Subdivision (b) of this rule is necessary because otherwise conventional appeals from a court (which is included in the scope of the term ''government unit'') to an appellate court would fall within the scope of this chapter under the provisions of Paragraph (a)(2) of this rule.

 Subdivision (c) expressly recognizes that some statutory procedures are not replaced by petition for review practice. Thus, matters brought pursuant to Section 137 of the Associations Code governing judicial review of documents rejected by the Department of State or pursuant to the Election Code are controlled by the applicable statutory provisions and not by the rules in Chapter 15. See 15 Pa.C.S. § 137; Act of June 3, 1937, P.L. 1333, as amended 25 P.S. §§ 2600—3591.

 In light of Subdivision (d), where the court in which a petition for review is filed lacks subject matter jurisdiction (e.g., a petition for review of a local government question filed in the Commonwealth Court), Rules 741 (waiver of objections to jurisdiction), 751 (transfer of erroneously filed cases) and 1504 (improvident petitions for review) will be applicable. See also 42 Pa.C.S. § 5103.

 The 2004 amendments are made to petition for review practice to address the evolution of judicial responses to governmental actions. As indicated in the Note to Rule 1502, when the Rules of Appellate Procedure were initially adopted, there was a ''long history in the Commonwealth . . . of relatively complete exercise of the judicial review function under the traditional labels of equity, mandamus, certiorari and prohibition.'' While such original jurisdiction forms of action are still available, their proper usage is now the exception rather than the rule because appellate proceedings have become the norm. Thus, the need to rely on Rule 1503 to convert an appellate proceeding to an original jurisdiction action and vice versa arises less often. Moreover, the emphasis on a petition for review as a generic pleading that permits the court to simultaneously consider all aspects of the controversy is diminished. The primary concern became making the practice for appellate proceedings more apparent to the occasional appellate practitioner. Accordingly, the rules have been amended to more clearly separate procedures for appellate proceedings from those applicable to original jurisdiction proceedings.

 The responsibility of identifying the correct type of proceeding to be used to challenge a governmental action is initially that of counsel. Where precedent makes the choice clear, counsel can proceed with confidence. Where the choice is more problematic, then counsel should draft the petition for review so as to satisfy the directives for both appellate and original jurisdiction proceedings. Then the court can designate the proper course of action regardless of counsel's earlier assessment.]

 Official Note: This chapter applies to appeals of administrative agency action, original jurisdiction actions cognizable in an appellate court in the nature of actions in equity, replevin, mandamus or quo warranto or for declaratory judgment, or upon writs of certiorari or prohibition, and appeals of other actions as enumerated in paragraph (a). The document that initiates the case under Chapter 15 is called a petition for review. Judicial review of all other government unit actions or inactions not otherwise permitted under Chapters 9, 11, 13 or 15, is available under Chapter 16; the document that initiates the case under Chapter 16 is called a petition for specialized review. The ''residuary'' initiating document function previously assigned to Chapter 15 is now assigned to Chapter 16.

Rule 1502. Exclusive Procedure.

 The appeal and the original jurisdiction actions of equity, replevin, mandamus and quo warranto, the action for a declaratory judgment, and the writs of certiorari and prohibition [are abolished insofar as they relate to matters within the scope of a petition for review under this chapter] are replaced by the petition for review. [The petition for review, insofar as applicable under this chapter, shall be the exclusive procedure for judicial review of a determination of a government unit.]

 [Official Note: This chapter recognizes that the modern label ''appeal'' has little significance in connection with judicial review of governmental determinations in light of the long history in this Commonwealth of relatively complete exercise of the judicial review function under the traditional labels of equity, mandamus, certiorari and prohibition. If the simple form of notice of appeal utilized in Chapter 9 (appeals from lower courts) were extended to governmental determinations without any requirement for the filing of motions for post-trial relief, a litigant who incorrectly selected the appeal label, rather than the equity, mandamus, replevin, or prohibition, etc. label, would probably suffer dismissal, because the court would be reluctant to try a proceeding in the nature of equity, mandamus, replevin, or prohibition, etc. in the absence of a proper pleading adequately framing the issues.

 The solution introduced by these rules is to substitute a new pleading (the petition for review) for all of the prior types of pleading which seek relief from a governmental determination (including governmental inaction). Where the reviewing court is required or permitted to hear the matter de novo, the judicial review proceeding will go forward in a manner similar to an equity or mandamus action. Where the reviewing court is required to decide the questions presented solely on the record made below, the judicial review proceeding will go forward in a manner similar to appellate review of an order of a lower court. However, experience teaches that governmental determinations are so varied in character, and generate so many novel situations, that on occasion it is only at the conclusion of the judicial review process, when a remedy is being fashioned, that one can determine whether the proceeding was in the nature of equity, mandamus, prohibition, or statutory appeal, etc. The petition for review will eliminate the wasteful and confusing practice of filing multiple ''shotgun'' pleadings in equity, mandamus, prohibition, statutory appeal, etc., and related motions for consolidation, and will permit the parties and the court to proceed directly to the merits unencumbered by procedural abstractions.

 Rule 1551 (scope of review) makes clear that the change in manner of pleading does not change the scope or standard of review of governmental determinations or otherwise affect the substantive rights of the parties.]

 It should be noted that a petition for review in the nature of mandamus or prohibition will lie against a [lower] trial court (which is a ''government unit''), since such relief is not available under the rules cited in [Rule] Pa.R.A.P. 1501(b).

 See 42 Pa.C.S. § 708(e) [(single form of action)], which provides as follows:

(e) Single form of action.—Where pursuant to general rules review of a determination of a government unit may be had by a petition for a review or another single form of action embracing the appeal and actions in the nature of equity, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, or otherwise, the jurisdiction of the appellate court shall not be limited by the provisions of 1 Pa.C.S. § 1504 [(relating to statutory remedy preferred over common law)], but such provisions to the extent applicable shall limit the relief available.

Rule 1503. Improvident Appeals or Original Jurisdiction Actions.

 If [an appeal is taken from an order of a government unit, or if a complaint in the nature of equity, replevin, mandamus, or quo warranto, or a petition for a declaratory judgment or for a writ in the nature of certiorari or prohibition is filed against a government unit or one or more of the persons for the time being conducting its affairs objecting to a determination by any one or more of them] a filing should be labeled a petition for review, but is not, this alone shall not be a ground for dismissal. The [papers whereon the improvident matter was commenced] filing shall be regarded and acted upon as a petition for review [of such governmental determination] and as if filed at the time the improvident [matter was commenced] filing was made. The court may require that the [papers] filing be clarified by amendment or be supplemented.

 Official Note: Based on 42 Pa.C.S. § 708 [(improvident administrative appeals and other matters)].

Rule 1504. Improvident Petitions for Review.

 If a [petition for review is filed against any person, where] filing in a court is labeled as a petition for review but the proper mode of relief is an original jurisdiction action in equity, replevin, mandamus or quo warranto, or a petition for a declaratory judgment or for a writ of certiorari or prohibition, this alone shall not be a ground for dismissal[, but the papers whereon the improvident matter was commenced]. The filing shall be regarded and acted upon as a complaint or other proper process [commenced against such person] and as if filed at the time the improvident [matter was commenced] filing was made. The court may require that the [papers] filing be clarified by amendment.

 Official Note: Based on 42 Pa.C.S. § 102 [(definitions) (which includes petition for review proceedings within the statutory definition of ''appeal'')] and 42 Pa.C.S. § 708(b) [(appeals)]. When the moving party files a clarifying amendment, the amendment will operate to specify that one form of action which the party elects to proceed on.

PETITION FOR REVIEW

Rule 1511. Manner of Obtaining Judicial Review of Governmental Determinations.

 Review under this chapter shall be obtained by filing a petition for review with the prothonotary of the appellate court within the time allowed by [Rule 1512 (time for petitioning for review)] Pa.R.A.P. 1512. Failure of a petitioner for review to take any step other than the timely filing of a petition for review does not affect the validity of the review proceeding, but is grounds only for such action as the appellate court deems appropriate, which may include dismissal of the review proceeding.

Rule 1512. Time for Petitioning for Review.

 (a) Appeals authorized by law.—Except as otherwise prescribed by [subdivision] paragraph (b) of this rule:

 (1) A petition for review of a quasijudicial order, or an order appealable under 42 Pa.C.S. § 763(b) [(awards of arbitrators)] or under any other provision of law, shall be filed with the prothonotary of the appellate court within 30 days after the entry of the order.

 (2) If a timely petition for review of such an order is filed by a party, any other party may file a [petition] cross-petition for review within 14 days of the date on which the first petition for review was served, or within the time otherwise prescribed by [subdivision] subparagraph (a)(1) of this rule, whichever period last expires.

 (b) Special appellate provisions.—A petition for review of:

 (1) A determination of the Department of Community and Economic Development in any matter arising under [the Local Government Unit Debt Act,] 53 Pa.C.S. §§ 8001—[8271,] 8285 shall be filed within 15 days after entry of the order or the date the determination is deemed to have been made, when no order has been entered.

 (2) A determination governed by [Rule 1571 (determinations of the Board of Finance and Revenue)] Pa.R.A.P. 1571 shall be filed within the appropriate period therein specified.

 [(3) A determination governed by Rule 3331 (review of special prosecutions or investigations) shall be filed within ten days after the entry of the order sought to be reviewed.

 (4)] (3) A determination of a Commonwealth agency under [section 1711.1(g) of the Commonwealth Procurement Code,] 62 Pa.C.S. § 1711.1(g)[,] shall be filed within 15 days of the mailing date of a final determination denying a protest.

 [(5) A determination governed by Rule 1770 (review of dispositional order for out of home placement in juvenile delinquency matters) shall be filed within ten days of the order sought to be reviewed.]

 (c) Original jurisdiction actions.—A petition for review of a determination of a government unit within the scope of Chapter 15 but not within the scope of [Subdivisions] paragraphs (a) or (b) of this rule may be filed with the prothonotary of the appellate court within the time, if any, limited by law.

 Official Note: The note to [Rule 903 (time for appeal)] Pa.R.A.P. 903 addresses the development of the standard [30 day] 30-day appeal period. [Rule] Pa.R.A.P. 102 defines a ''quasijudicial order'' as ''an order of a government unit, made after notice and opportunity for hearing, which is by law reviewable solely upon the record made before the government unit, and not upon a record made in whole or in part before the reviewing court.''

 [Subdivision] Paragraph (c) relates to matters addressed to the original jurisdiction of an appellate court. For example, equitable matters are governed by existing principles of laches, etc. Other matters, such as petitions for review raising issues formerly cognizable by action in mandamus or quo warranto, etc., are governed by the time limits, if any, applicable under the prior procedure. See generally 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 1702 [(regarding the Supreme Court's rulemaking procedures)], 1722(c) [(Time limitations)], 5501—5574 [(Limitations of time)].

Rule 1513. Petition for Review.

 (a) Caption and parties on appeal.—In an appellate jurisdiction petition for review, the aggrieved party or person shall be named as the petitioner [and, unlessthe government unit is disinterested, the government unit and no one else]. The government unit shall be named as the respondent. If the government unit is disinterested, all real parties in interest[, and not the government unit,] shall also be named as respondents.

 (b) Caption and parties in original jurisdiction actions.—The government unit and any other indispensable party shall be named as respondents. Where a public act or duty is required to be performed by a government unit, it is sufficient to name the government unit, and not its individual members, as respondent.

 (c) Form.—Any petition for review shall be divided into consecutively numbered paragraphs. Each paragraph shall contain, as nearly as possible, a single allegation of fact or other statement. [When petitioner seeks review of an order refusing to certify an interlocutory order for immediate appeal, numbered paragraphs need not be used.]

 (d) Content of appellate jurisdiction petition for review.—An appellate jurisdiction petition for review shall contain:

 [1.] (1) a statement of the basis for the jurisdiction of the court;

 [2.] (2) the name of the party or person seeking review;

 [3.] (3) the name of the government unit that made the order or other determination sought to be reviewed;

 [4.] (4) reference to the order or other determination sought to be reviewed, including the date the order or other determination was entered;

 [5.] (5) a general statement of the objections to the order or other determination, but the omission of an issue from the statement shall not be the basis for a finding of waiver if the court is able to address the issue based on the certified record;

 [6.] (6) a short statement of the relief sought; and

 [7.] (7) a copy of the order or other determination to be reviewed, which shall be attached to the petition for review as an exhibit.

 No notice to plead or verification is necessary.

 Where there were other parties to the proceedings conducted by the government unit, and such parties are not named in the caption of the petition for review, the petition for review shall also contain a notice to participate, which shall provide substantially as follows:

If you intend to participate in this proceeding in the (Supreme, Superior, or Commonwealth, as appropriate) Court, you must serve and file a notice of intervention under Pa.R.A.P. 1531 [of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure] within 30 days.

 (e) Content of original jurisdiction petition for review.—A petition for review addressed to an appellate court's original jurisdiction shall contain:

 [1.] (1) a statement of the basis for the jurisdiction of the court;

 [2.] (2) the name of the person or party seeking relief;

 [3.] (3) the name of the government unit whose action or inaction is in issue and any other indispensable party;

 [4.] (4) a general statement of the material facts upon which the cause of action is based;

 [5.] (5) a short statement of the relief sought; and

 [6.] (6) a notice to plead and verification either by oath or affirmation or by verified statement.

 (f) Alternative objections.—Objections to a determination of a government unit and the related relief sought may be stated in the alternative, and relief of several different types may be requested.

 Official Note: [The 2004 amendments to this rule clarify what must be included in a petition for review addressed to an appellate court's appellate jurisdiction and what must be included in a petition for review addressed to an appellate court's original jurisdiction. Where it is not readily apparent whether a ''determination'' (defined in Pa.R.A.P. 102 as ''[a]ction or inaction by a government unit'') is reviewable in the court's appellate or original jurisdiction, compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (d) and (e) is appropriate.]

 Paragraphs (a) and (b) reflect the provisions of Pa.R.A.P. 501, Pa.R.A.P. 503, [Section 702 of the Administrative Agency Law,] 2 Pa.C.S. § 702 [(Appeals)], and Pa.R.C.P. [No.] 1094 [(regarding parties defendant in mandamus actions)].

 Government units that are usually disinterested in appellate jurisdiction petitions for review of their determinations include:

 • the Board of Claims,

 • the Department of Education (with regard to teacher tenure appeals from local school districts pursuant to [section 1132 of the Public School Code of 1949,] 24 P.S. § 11-1132),

 • the Environmental Hearing Board,

 • the Office of Open Records,

 • the State Charter School Appeal Board,

 • the State Civil Service Commission, and

 • the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board.

 The provision for joinder of indispensable parties in original jurisdiction actions reflects the last sentence of [section 761(c) of the Judicial Code,] 42 Pa.C.S. § 761(c), providing for the implementation of ancillary jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Court by general rule.

 Paragraphs (d) and (e) reflect the differences in proceeding in a court's original and appellate jurisdiction, while preserving the need for sufficient specificity to permit the conversion of an appellate document to an original jurisdiction pleading and vice versa should such action be necessary to assure proper judicial disposition. [See also the notes to Pa.R.A.P. 1501 and 1502.] Where it is not readily apparent whether a ''determination'' under Pa.R.A.P. 1501 is reviewable in the court's appellate or original jurisdiction, compliance with the requirements of both paragraphs (d) and (e) is appropriate.

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