Lebanon Cnty. C.P. Civil Division Rules 9

(B) Pretrial statements shall be filed:

(1) by Plaintiff no less than sixty (60) days prior to the date of

the scheduled pretrial conference.

(2) by Defendant no less than thirty (30) days prior to the

scheduled pretrial conference.

(3) by Additional defendant no less than fifteen (15) days prior

to the scheduled pretrial conference.

RULE 52-212.3: PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE

(A) Except for good cause shown, the attorneys who will try the case

shall attend the pre-trial conference. Unexcused failure of trial

counsel to appear or to file a pre-trial statement may result in the

imposition of costs, counsel fees or other sanctions as

determined by the Court.

(B) A pretrial conference will be scheduled by the Court pursuant to

Lebanon County’s Case Management Plan.

RULE 52-223: EXHIBITS

(A) DEFINITIONS

(1) Custodian – for purposes of this Rule, the term “Custodian”

shall mean the Court’s Official Court Reporter recording the

proceeding.

(2) Digital Media – for purposes of this Rule, “digital media”

shall mean either a dvd or thumb drive.

(3) Trial – for purposes of this Rule, “trial” shall apply equally

to jury and non-jury trials.

(B) Exhibits – During Court Proceedings

(1) At the conclusion of a trial or hearing, all exhibits larger

than 8½ x 11 inches, which are part of the record, shall be

reduced to that size, and all tangible objects which are part

of the record, shall be photographed in color by the party

originally proffering the evidence. The 8½ x 11 inch

reductions and color photographs shall be substituted in

the record for the original exhibits and tangible objects

unless the trial judge, upon motion or sua sponte, or an

appellate court, shall direct otherwise.

(2) All exhibits which are bulky, oversized or otherwise

physically impractical for the custodian to maintain

(including, but not limited to, weapons, contraband and

hazardous materials), shall be photographed in color by the

party originally proffering the evidence. The original

exhibit shall be maintained by the party originally proffering

the evidence and the photograph of the exhibit (no larger

in size than 8½ x 11 inches) shall be e ntered into the record

in lieu of the non-documentary exhibit.

(3) Whenever a video deposition of a witness or other video

evidence is presented at trial or hearing, the video shall be

marked as an exhibit. At the conclusion of the trial or

hearing, the video shall be submitted to the custodian for

inclusion in the record of the case, unless the trial judge,

upon motion or sua sponte, shall direct otherwise.

(a) Whenever a video deposition of a witness is

presented at trial or hearing, it shall be accompanied by a

transcript of the deposition as required by Pa.R.C iv.P.

4017.1(a)(2). The accompanying transcript shall be

marked as an exhibit and retained in the record of the

proceedings. In the event the record of the trial or hearing

is transcribed for appellate or other purposes, the exhibit

of the transcript accomp anying the deposition shall be

considered the official transcript of the testimony of the

deponent. It shall not be necessary for the trial court

reporter to also transcribe the audio portion of the

videotape deposition which was presented at trial or

hearing, so long as the record clearly reflects which part of

the audio portion of the video deposition was offered into

evidence and admitted.

(b) Whenever evidence is presented at trial or hearing in

digital format, it shall be accompanied by a transcript of

any dialogue contained within the video. The

accompanying transcript shall be marked as an exhibit and

retained in the record of the proceedi ngs. In the event the

record of the trial or hearing is transcribed for appellate or

other purposes, the exhibit of the transcript accompanying

the digital media shall be considered the official transcript

of the video. It shall not be necessary for th e trial court

reporter to also transcribe the audio portion of the video

which was presented at trial or hearing, so long as the

record clearly reflects which part of the audio portion of the

video was offered into evidence and admitted.

(C) Exhibits - After Court Proceedings

(1) After trial or hearing, exhibits admitted into evidence, as

well as photographs of oversized, bulky and other non -

documentary evidence shall be submitted to the custodian

for filing pursuant to Pa.R.J.A. 5102.

(2) At the conclusion of the trial or hearing, the original

documentary exhibits larger than 8½ x 11 and non -

documentary exhibits shall be returned for safekeeping to

the party who presented it and that party shall maintain

custody of the exhibit until conclus ion of all appellate

proceedings in the case, unless the trial judge, upon motion

or sua sponte, shall direct otherwise.

(3) Notwithstanding the above, any person who has a

possessory or legal interest in any exhibit which has been

introduced into evidence may file a claim for such exhibit

within thirty (30) days after trial. The presiding judge shall

determine the validity of such claim and determine the

manner and timing of disposition.

RULE 52-223.1: CONTACT WITH JURORS

No attorney or party may initiate any contact with any member of

the jury panel either before, during or after a jury trial unless

specifically authorized by the Court.

RULE 52-227.1: POST-TRIAL MOTIONS

Post-Trial Motions shall be accompanied by a Praecipe for

Disposition substantially in the form set forth in Rule 52-206.1(E)(1)

RULE 52-430: SERVICE BY PUBLICATION

Service by publication, when appropriate, shall be made by

publishing the appropriate notice one (1) time in the Lebanon County

Legal Journal and one (1) time in a newspaper of general

circulation in Lebanon County. The address on the notice required by

Pa.R.Civ.P. 430 shall be the same office designated by the Court in

Leb.R.Civ.P. 1018. For purposes of this Rule, the Lebanon County

Legal Journal is designated as the legal publication for the Court of

Common Pleas of Lebanon County unless otherwise spec ified by Order

of Court.

RULE 52-440: SERVICE ON OPPOSING PARTIES

(A) It shall be the responsibility of a party filing a document to insure

that the document is served upon all other parties or their

counsel.

(B) Service under this rule may be effectuated by any method

permitted by the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, including

by facsimile transmission or email transmission, to the address

set forth on counsel’s latest Entry of Appearance.

(C) A Certificate of Service must be filed by the person effecting

service setting forth the following:

(1) the names of all persons served;

(2) the method of service;

(3) the date of service;

(4) the address, fax number or email location to which service

was made; and

(5) the name and signature of the person who personally

effectuated service.

(D) Service shall be accomplished by either of the following methods:

(1) By leaving at the Prothonotary’s Office a copy of all filed

documents and proposed Orders together with stamped

envelopes addressed for each opposing counsel and/or

unrepresented litigant(s). The Prothonotary shall use the

envelopes provided to serve all filed documents and

accompanying Orders of Court by mail. Thereafter, the

Prothonotary shall complete and file a Certificate of Service

in compliance with sub-section (C). Such certificate shall

constitute prima facie proof that service was accomplished;

or

(2) By directly serving copies of all filed documents upon all

opposing parties or their counsel in accordance with sub -

section (B) of this rule. The party serving such documents

shall be required to file a Certificate of Service in

compliance with sub-section (C) above. Once the court

issues any Order or Rule to Show Cause, the Prothonotary

shall serve a copy of that document on all parties or their

counsel by any method permitted in sub-section (B).

Thereafter, the Prothonotary shall file a Certificate of

Service in compliance with sub-section (C). Such

certificate shall constitute prima facie proof that service

was accomplished.

RULE 52-1012: ENTRY OF APPEARANCE

Upon the filing of the initial document on behalf of a party in any

proceeding, the attorney filing the same may simultaneously file his/her

written appearance in the manner prescribed by Pa.R.Civ.P. 1012.

Counsel who have the ability to receive information by email and/or

facsimile number shall also include that information within their Entry

of Appearance. A change of address notice shall be filed should the

address or other contact information of counsel change.

RULE 52-1018.1: ADDRESS IN NOTICE TO DEFEND

The address to be included in the Notice to Defend required by

Pa.R.Civ.P. 1018.1 shall be as follows:

Mid-Penn Legal Services

1150 Chestnut Street, Suite 1

Lebanon, PA 17042

(717) 274-2834

RULE 52-1025: ENDORSEMENT

The Endorsement by an attorney or unrepresented litigant as required

by Pa.R.Civ.P. 1025 shall act as an entry of appearance for any

attorney or unrepresented litigant for the action in which the document

containing such endorsement was filed.

RULE 52-1028(c): PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS

(A) Preliminary Objections must be filed in accordance with Rule 52 -

208.3

(B) All Preliminary Objections must be accompanied by a Brief In

Support Thereof and in compliance with Rule 52-210.

RULE 52-1034(a): MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE

PLEADINGS

The procedure for any Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings

shall be governed by Rule 52-208.3.

RULE 52-1035.2(a): MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

The procedure for Motions for Summary Judgment shall be as

follows:

(1) All motions shall be in writing with each allegation set forth

in a separate numbered paragraph.

(2) The original motion shall be filed with the Lebanon County

Prothonotary’s Office.

(3) Motions for Summary Judgment shall be accompanied by a

Brief in Support Thereof and in compliance with Rule 52 -

210.

(4) Motions for Summary Judgment shall be accompanied by a

Praecipe for Disposition substantially in the form set forth

in Rule 52-206.1(E)(1).

RULE 52-1301: COMPULSORY ARBITRATION

All civil cases seeking money damages as relief, except cases

involving title to real estate, where the amount of relief sought

(exclusive of interest and costs) is the statutory limit authorized by §

7361 of the Judicial Code (42 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.) or less, shall

be submitted to arbitration for consideration and award by a Board of

Arbitrators. No case shall be submitted for arbitration where an

inconsistent procedure is prescribed by statute or rule of court. In

addition, any other case, whether o r not at issue and without regard to

the amount in controversy, may be referred to a Board of Arbitrators

by agreement of all parties.

RULE 52-1302: ARBITRATORS

(A) A Board of Arbitrators shall be appointed on the praecipe of any

party or by Order of Court.

(B) A list of available arbitrators shall be maintained by the Court,

consisting of members of the B ar actively engaged in the practice

of law in Lebanon County.

(C) The Court shall app oint from the aforesaid list three (3) members

to each board of arbitrators, at least one of whom shall have been

admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

for more than three (3) years prior to his or her own appointment.

The Chairman of the board shall be that attorney appointed with

the longest period of practice in Lebanon County.

(D) Compensation for arbitrators shall be set by Administrative Order

of the Court as follows:

(1) Each member of the Board of Arbitrators who has signed

the report or filed a minority report;

(2) Additional compensation for the Chairman of the Board of

Arbitrators;

(3) Additional compensation in the event of the filing of a

counterclaim filed and heard by the arbitrators;

(4) In matters requiring hearings of unusual duration or

involving questions of unusual complexity, the Court, on

motion of the members of the board, may allow additional

compensation. Such motion shall be filed and ruled on

prior to the filing of the report of arbitrators.

(E) Arbitration panels. The Court may establish a panel of three (3)

arbitrators to sit for specially scheduled arbitrations pursuant to

any Lebanon County Case Management Plan.

RULE 52-1303: HEARING AND NOTICE

(A) The chairman of the Board of Arbitrators shall fix the time and

place for a hearing and shall give at least thirty (30) days written

notice to all parties, their counsel and the other arbitrators.

(B) The hearing shall be held within ninety (90) days after

appointment of the board, unless extended by Order of Court.

The board shall file its report and award within twenty (20) days

after the conclusion of the hearing.

(C) For specially scheduled Arbitration panels established pursuant

to Rule 52-1302(E), Court Administration shall fix the time and

place for a hearing and shall give at least thirty (30) days written

notice to all parties, their counsel and the arbitrators.

RULE 52-4007.1: DEPOSITIONS

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court or agreed to by all parties,

all depositions by oral examinations of fact witnesses shall be

conducted within Lebanon County.

All previously enacted rules are specifically repealed and the

foregoing substituted in their place. These rules shall be effective

as of September 1, 2025.