Adams Cnty. C.P. Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 212

(A) When an action is at issue and discovery has been substantially completed, any party may, by

praecipe filed with the Prothonotary, request a pre-trial conference. The praecipe shall state whether the

case is to be tried before a jury or by bench trial.

(B) The Prothonotary shall forward the praecipe for pre-trial conference to the Judge designated to

conduct pre-trial conferences by the President Judge. The Judge to whom the case is referred shall enter

court order scheduling a pre-trial conference at a time designated by the Court. The order scheduling pre-trial conference shall be served by the Prothonotary on counsel of record or on the parties in the event the

parties are not represented by counsel. Service of the order shall be noted in the docket.

(C) All parties to a pre-trial conference shall prepare and file a pre-trial memorandum within the

time period and in substantially the form set forth in Adams C. Civ. R. No. 212.2.

(D) Unless excused by the Court in advance, the attorney or party who intends to try the case shall

attend the pre-trial conference. In the absence of excuse, the Court may require the attending attorney or

party to try the case. If an attorney or party fails to appear for the pre-trial conference, the Court may

proceed in his/her absence and enter binding rulings regarding any matter, including the admissibility of

evidence or dismissal of the case for failure to prosecute.

(E) The conference Judge may sua sponte, or on the motion of any party, dispense with the need

for a pre-trial conference, or in the alternative, authorize that a pre-trial conference be conducted

telephonically. In the event that a party or counsel is granted permission to participate telephonically, the

parties shall be responsible for making all the arrangements for telephonic participation and shall pay all

costs related thereto. A party participating in a telephonic conference is not relieved from compliance with

Adams C.Civ.R. No. 212.2.

(F) Although it is not necessary for the parties represented by counsel to appear, counsel must

appear with authority to bind the client. Parties, or their authorized representatives, must be available by

telephone during the pre-trial conference.

(G) At the conclusion of the pre-trial conference, the assigned Judge shall issue an Order setting

forth the date of bench trials, or in the event of a jury trial, setting the case for a specific term. The Court

Order shall designate a date certain upon which the case will be called to determine trial readiness. The

parties may answer the call formally by appearance, or informally by telephone or correspondence to the

Court Administrator's Office prior to the call date. Failure to answer the call may result in the case being

stricken from the trial list. The Order shall also set forth when appropriate any other action taken at the

pre-trial conference including the scheduling of all matters to be completed before trial.