In Re: Order Adopting New Rule 217 & Amending Rule 803 & Official Notes to Rules 304, 503, 1205 & 1206 of PA Rules of Civil Procedure Before MDJs

Summary

This document adopts new Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 217 governing certification and handling of confidential information and confidential documents filed in magisterial district courts. It also amends Rule 803 and the official notes to Rules 304, 503, 1205, and 1206 to reference compliance with the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Case Records Public Access Policy.

Holdings

1. Rule 217 is adopted to require attorneys and unrepresented parties filing documents in proceedings before magisterial district courts to comply with Sections 7.0 and 8.0 of the Case Records Public Access Policy, including required certifications and, when applicable, Confidential Information Forms or Confidential Document Forms.
2. In an action before a magisterial district judge to which a minor is a party, the complaint must be entitled in the minor's name without reference to minority or guardianship, and the minor must be designated by the initials of the first and last name.
3. The official notes to Rules 304, 503, 803, 1205, and 1206 are amended to provide that filings under those rules are subject to the Case Records Public Access Policy.

Questions Presented

1. Whether to adopt new Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 217 governing certification and filing of confidential information and confidential documents in proceedings before magisterial district judges.
2. Whether to amend Rule 803 and the official notes to Rules 304, 503, 1205, and 1206 to conform those provisions to the Case Records Public Access Policy and related statutory requirements.

Disposition

other