General Motions

In unison with the Rules of Civil Procedure adopted by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the Civil Division has established practices and procedures for conducting court operations, including but not limited to, general motions, preliminary objections, motions for summary judgment, and motions for judgment on the pleadings.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

General Motions

General Motions for cases that have not been scheduled for trial are heard by the General Motions Judge in Courtroom 703 of the City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m.
See Local Rule 208.3(a)(6) for information concerning Motions heard by the General Motions Judge.

General Motions for cases that have appeared on a published Trial List must be submitted to the Calendar Control Judge.  See Local Rule 208.3(a)(3) for information concerning Motions heard by the Calendar Control Judge.

General Motions Judge for November 2022 Judge McVay – October 31 – December 2.

General Motions Judge for December 2022 is as follows:  Judge Regan – December 5 – 16, Judge Klein – December 19 – 22, Judge Hertzberg – December 27 – 29.

General Motions Judge for January 2023 Judge Hertzberg – January 3, 2023 – February 3, 2023.

Contested Motions

• • All motions must provide the respondent with 10 days’ notice pursuant to Local Rule 208.3 unless the matter is a true emergency. 
  • Your motion must be filed with the Department of Court Records for consideration by the Court. 
  • Please complete the Contested Civil Motions Cover Sheet in its entirety.
  • Questions regarding Contested Motions may be submitted to Civilgenmotions@alleghenycourts.us. 

Uncontested Motions

• • Uncontested Motions may be submitted to Civiluncontestedmotions@alleghenycourts.us or may be presented to the Motions Judge.
  • All Uncontested Motions must be sent in PDF format and must include a copy of the parties’ Proposed Order in Microsoft Word format.  Motions not meeting these specifications will not be heard.  All emailed communications must include all parties in the matter.
  • Your motion must be filed with the Department of Court Records for consideration by the Court. 
  • Please complete the Uncontested Civil Motions Cover Sheet in its entirety.
  • Questions regarding Uncontested Motions must be emailed to Civiluncontestedmotions@alleghenycourts.us.
    

Preliminary Objections

• All communications must be emailed to Civilmsjjops@alleghenycourts.us.
• All emailed communications must include all parties in the matter.
• In addition to what is required in all civil action cover sheets, cover sheets for all Preliminary Objections must include the following information:
  • all contact information for all attorneys, or if unrepresented, parties including name(s);
  • email addresses;
  • phone numbers;
  • U.S. Mail addresses, and
  • Date the Motion for Summary Judgment or Judgment on the Pleadings was served.
• All Motions must be filed with the Department of Court Records for consideration by the Court.
• Once the argument list is published in the Pittsburgh Legal Journal, the moving party is responsible for notifying all parties, and/or attorneys of record, of the date, time, and location of the oral argument on the Motion for Summary Judgment or Judgment on the Pleadings.
• You are notified that Tuesday, January 3, 2023, is the last day to file Motions for Summary Judgment and Judgment on the Pleadings for listing on the Monday, February 13, 2023, General Argument and Equity Argument List.  No Motions for Summary Judgment or Judgment on the Pleadings will be accepted where the case appears on a published trial list, except for Leave of Court for cause show.