Rule 345. Filing and Service.
A. Filings.
1) Generally. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, all written motions, and any notice or document for which filing is required, shall be filed with the clerk of courts.
2) Clerk of Courts’ Duties. Except as provided in paragraph (A)(3), the clerk of courts shall docket a written motion, notice, or document when it is received and record the time of filing in the docket. The clerk of courts promptly shall transmit a copy of these papers to such person as may be designated by the court.
3) Filings by Represented Juveniles. In any case in which a juvenile is represented by an attorney, if the juvenile submits for filing a written motion, notice, or document that has not been signed by the juvenile’s attorney, the clerk of courts shall not file the motion, notice, or document in the official court record or make a docket entry, but shall forward it promptly to the juvenile’s attorney.
4) Method of Filing. Filing may be accomplished by:
a) personal delivery to the clerk of courts;
b) mail addressed to the clerk of courts, provided, however, that filing by mail shall be timely only when actually received by the clerk within the time fixed for filing; or
c) in a judicial district that permits electronic filing pursuant to Rule 205, as provided in Rule 205(E).
B. Service.
1) Generally. The party filing the document shall serve the other party concurrently with the filing.
2) Method of Service to Parties. Service on the parties shall be:
a) by personal delivery of a copy to a party’s attorney, or, if unrepresented, the party;
b) by mailing a copy to a party’s attorney or leaving a copy for the attorney at the attorney’s office;
c) in a judicial district that maintains in the courthouse assigned boxes for counsel to receive service, by leaving a copy for the attorney in the attorney’s box;
d) by sending a copy to an unrepresented juvenile by first class mail addressed to the juvenile’s place of residence, detention, or placement; or
e) as provided in Rule 205(D)(2) and (H)(1) in a judicial district that permits electronic filing pursuant to Rule 205.
C. Proof of Service. All documents that are filed and served pursuant to this rule shall include a certificate of service.
Comment See Rule 166 for maintaining records in the clerk of courts.
Under paragraph (A)(2), the court is to designate a court official to process motions and other matters for appropriate scheduling and resolution.
Under paragraph (B), the party filing a document is required to serve the other party.
This rule does not affect court orders, which are to be served upon each party’s attorney and the juvenile, if unrepresented, by the clerk of courts as provided in Rule 167.
For the procedures for electronic filing and service as a local option, see Rule 205.
For service of petitions, see Rule 331.
Official Note
Rule 345 adopted April 1, 2005, effective October 1, 2005. Amended July 28, 2009, effective immediately. Amended December 24, 2009, effective immediately. Amended December 12, 2019, effective June 1, 2020.
Committee Explanatory Reports:
Final Report explaining the amendment to Rule 345 published with the Court’s Order at 39 Pa.B. 4743 (August 8, 2009).
Final Report explaining the amendments to Rule 345 published with the Court’s Order at 40 Pa.B. 222 (January 9, 2010).
Final Report explaining the amendments to Rule 345 published with the Court’s Order at 49 Pa.B. 7573 (December 28, 2019).
Source The provisions of this Rule 345 amended August 7, 2009, effective immediately, 39 Pa.B. 4743; amended December 24, 2009, effective immediately, 40 Pa.B. 222; amended December 12, 2019, effective June 1, 2020, 49 Pa.B. 7573. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (347605) to (347606).
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