Philadelphia Cnty. C.P. Municipal Court-Civil Rule 137

a. General Rule. The Municipal Court shall comply with Title II of the Americans With

Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §12131 et seq.

b. Accommodations Generally. The Court shall make reasonable accommodations to allow people

with disabilities to participate in Court business as parties or witnesses.

c. Accommodations for Persons Unable to Travel to Court. The Court shall offer reasonable

accommodations to parties or witnesses who, as a result of disability, are unable to travel to Court

or attend regularly scheduled Court proceedings without such accommodations. The Court shall

reasonable offer accommodations including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Services by telephone (unable to leave home)

— hearing by telephone

— mediation by telephon e

— assistance in preparing or filing court papers

2. Filing by Mail

3. Modified Scheduling/Locations

— special listings (for parties or witnesses who can appear only on certain days, at certain

times, or who are unable to stay in Court for a long time)

— flexible listing (for parties or witnesses who may arrive late because of special

transportation needs)

— remote location hearings or mediations (for parties or witnesses able to travel short

distances but not to the courthouse)

d. Procedure

1. At least three business days prior to a court proceeding, or within three business days after

service of the complaint, whichever is later, parties or wit nesses with disabilities may request

reasonable accommodations by telephone, by letter or in person.

2. The Court shall provide to each applicant a verification form to document the requested

accommodations and the disability involved, together with a copy of this rule. The Court shall

offer and provide assistance in completing the form, if necessary.

3. Within one week of receipt of a completed verification form, the Court Administrator or his

or her designee shall notify the applicant orally and in writing as to what accommodations will

be provided. The Court may in its discretion require the applicant t o provide proof of the

disability, such as a doctor’s letter or other medical documentation.

4. Any applicant shall have the right to appeal the Administrator’s decision relating to

accommodations on a form provided by the Court with the Adminis trator’s decision. The

appeal shall be decided by a Municipal Court judge in a recorded proceeding.

5. Following receipt of a timely request for accommodation from a party, the Court shall not

take any action in the case that is adverse to that party pend ing notice of its decision under

Rule 137(d)(3).

Note: Adopted May 19, 1995, effective July 10, 1995.