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, the text of any order ruling on any subsequent request for certification, and the date of their entry in the trial court or other government unit. If the 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 basis for the order of the trial court or other government unit.
(4) The proposed questions 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 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, 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 that is so egregious as to justify prerogative appellate correction;
(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 that is so egregious as to justify prerogative appellate correction;
(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.
(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 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.
(8) The certificate of compliance required by Pa.R.A.P. 127.
(b) Caption and parties.—All parties to the proceeding in the 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 under subparagraph (a)(5). 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 Pa.R.A.P. 512, multiple petitioners may file a single petition for permission to appeal.
Source The provisions of this Rule 1312 amended December 11, 1978, effective December 30, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 3802; amended January 5, 2018, effective January 6, 2018, 48 Pa.B. 461; amended January 7, 2020, effective August 1, 2020, 50 Pa.B. 505. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (400761) to (400762).
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