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Court Rules
Judge

Judge W. Terrence O’Brien

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

BriefCourt-wide
10 pgs
Pretrial StatementCourt-wide
200 wds

Courtesy Copies

Exhibits

Court-wide

Motion

Court-wide

Opposition Brief

Court-wide
  • At Least 7 Days Prior to Argument

Communication

Email
charlene.baker@alleghenycourts.us
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us
Email
Court-wide

Clerk, Intake Unit

hchelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

412-350-4462
Phone
Court-wide

Chambers

412.350.5400
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Email
Court-wide

Chambers

Scheduling
Filters:

Document Format Requirements3 rules

Formatting

Please send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

2023 02 07-OBrien-SOPs · p. 1|SectionStandard Operating Procedures
Formatting

Proposed orders should be attached separately in Microsoft Word format to allow editing by the Court.

File type
Word
Applies to
  • Proposed order

Formatting

  • Proposed orders must be attached separately to allow editing by the Court
2023 02 07-OBrien-SOPs · p. 1|SectionStandard Operating Procedures
Formatting

All documents should include attorney contact information including an email address.

2023 02 07-OBrien-SOPs · p. 1|SectionStandard Operating Procedures

Filing & Service rules

Chambers Communication Rules

Parties should contact Charlene Baker for scheduling concerns or clarification.

If a party has concerns or needs clarification about scheduling in their case, they should contact Charlene Baker.

Page 1 | Standard Operating Procedures

Parties should email the listed court contact to communicate with the Court.

In order to contact the Court, please email the following:

Page 1 | Standard Operating Procedures

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 499 rules apply across Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 193
  • Applies to
    Index of exhibits

    Custodians filing exhibits must include an index identifying each exhibit by the proponent’s number or letter, whether admitted or rejected, and by description or identification.

  • Applies to
    Cover sheet

    The cover sheet must list the complete names of all parties in capital letters, although an appropriate shortened caption may be used when the filing party previously appeared.

  • Applies to
    Pleading
    Must include
    case number

    Every pleading must include both the assigned judge’s suffix and the case docket number.

Service

All 118
  • Applies to
    Writ of certiorari
    Service
    Mail

    The Department of Court Records must mail the writ of certiorari by first-class mail to every party other than the filing party and to the Magisterial District Judge.

  • Service
    Publication

    When notice must be published in a newspaper, an affidavit by the owner, publisher, or designated agent proving publication must be filed before entry of a final order, decree, or judgment.

  • Service
    Publication

    All newspaper-advertised legal notices must also be published in the Pittsburgh Legal Journal.

Filing Timing

All 71
  • Deadline
    5 business days

    After court proceedings conclude, the custodian must file documentary exhibits and specified photographs with the Department of Court Records within five business days unless the court directs otherwise.

  • The custody confirmation complaint is deemed filed when notice of its presentation is given.

  • Deadline
    7 calendar days

    A respondent’s brief must be filed with the Hearing Officer’s Secretary at least seven calendar days before argument.

E-Filing

All 36
  • Applies to
    Motion for judgment on the pleadings

    Local Rule 1034(a)'s judgment-on-the-pleadings procedures do not govern asbestos or special-management cases, class actions, complex cases, or other cases specially assigned to one judge.

  • All legal papers and exhibits must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system available on the DCR website.

  • Applies to
    Petition to strike or open default judgment

    All petitions to strike or open a default judgment or judgment of non-pros must be filed electronically under Local Rule 205.4.

More categories

View all Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas rules
About Judge W. Terrence O’Brien

W. Terrence O’Brien is listed as a current judicial officer of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Civil Division. The court's chambers directory records this officer as Civil Division: Senior Judge.

Current assignment

Division or department: Civil Division: Senior Judge Chambers: 705 City-County Building Phone: 412.350.5898

Official sources

Common questions about Judge W. Terrence O’Brien's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge W. Terrence O’Brien?

Judge W. Terrence O’Brien's formatting rule includes documents must be in pdf or microsoft word format. Documents must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standard Operating Procedures

How may parties contact Judge W. Terrence O’Brien's chambers?

The rule lists email charlene.baker@alleghenycourts.us. Parties should email the listed court contact to communicate with the Court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standard Operating Procedures
Complete rules summary for Judge W. Terrence O’Brien

Parties should email the listed court contact to communicate with the Court.

Parties should contact Charlene Baker for scheduling concerns or clarification.

Documents must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

Proposed orders must be attached separately in editable Microsoft Word format.

All documents must include attorney contact information, including an email address.

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