Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Filing Rules

The arbitration certification form states that the amount in controversy is $50,000 or less, the case is ready for arbitration, at least 30 days’ prior notice was given to appearing counsel and unrepresented parties, and no party objected; it also requests party and contact information.

The movant must serve all parties with a time-stamped copy and certificate of service within three days after the court signs the rule.

The opposing party must file its answer and comprehensive brief within 15 days after service of the specified papers.

If Plaintiff has local counsel, identify same to my chambers at least one week prior to the mediation conference. This information should be provided to this Court by notice to: The Honorable ______________ Luzerne County Court House 200 N. River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Fax: (570) 820-6356

The deadline to file the proponent’s supporting brief may be extended by court order for good cause.

(a) Any motion seeking any relief under Pa. R.C.P. Nos. 4001 to 4020 inclusive, shall be disposed of on a rule to show cause returnable to the Miscellaneous Court Judge who may hold a hearing and issue an appropriate order pursuant to Luz. Co. R.C.P. Nos. 206.4(c) and 208.3(b).

A supersedeas application must be in motion or petition form, as appropriate, and due notice of its presentation must be given to the municipality or its solicitor and to adversely interested parties who have appeared.

Filing fees may be paid electronically with Mastercard, VISA, or Discover credit or debit cards.

The opposing party must deliver one copy of the answer to the assigned judge's chambers within three days after filing it.

Legal papers filed electronically must be filed through the Clerk’s Electronic Filing System, accessible through the Luzerne County website.

Arbitrators must keep the delay-damages envelope unopened and not ascertain its contents until deciding the merits, and may then open it only if delay damages apply; otherwise, the Chair must return it unopened to the Clerk with the Board’s report.

Except for matters governed by subsections (B) and (D), a party seeking a rule to show cause must present it together with the underlying document.