Washington Cnty. C.P. Local Rules of Civil Procedure (Updated August 1, 2025) Rule 204.2

(a) The Court, which shall for purposes of this subsection include a Judge, staff of a judge,

the District Court Administrator, and court administration staff, may remove original

papers, records, exhibits, or transcripts (“case records”), from the Office of the

Prothonotary for official court business, unless otherwise restricted by law or order of

court.

(b) If appointed by the Court, the following individuals shall have the authority to remove

case records from the Office of the Prothonotary:

(1) Conference or hearing officers;

(2) Chair of the Board of View;

(3) Chair of a compulsory arbitration panel;

(4) Master appointed by the court;

(5) Mediator or special presiding officer; and

(6) Other court staff or any person(s) specifically authorized by the President Judge

or order of court.

Note: If there is a question concerning the authority of an individual to access a case record under

this subsection, the Prothonotary is to seek guidance from the President Judge, District Court

Administrator, or judge to whom the case is assigned.

(c) Except as provided in preceding subsections or applicable rule of procedure, no case

records shall be removed from the Office of the Prothonotary except upon subpoena duces

tecum or order of court. Nothing in this rule is intended to prohibit the removal and/or

transmittal of case records pursuant to a rule of appellate procedure.

(d) The Prothonotary shall maintain the docket and act as the custodian of the record for

actions filed pursuant to the Mental Health Procedures Act, 50 P.S. § 7101, et seq., in a

manner prescribed by the Court.

(1) All case records are confidential pursuant to the Act, and may only be accessed

and/or removed by the Judge, staff of the assigned judge, District Court

Administrator, or court administration staff for official court business.

(2) Absent order of court, the record may only be inspected by the mental health

review officer, or counsel of record for the party involved.

(e) Access to case records, docketing information, digital records, and/or images of case

filings that are or can be made available or otherwise accessed through computer software

or digital case management systems, shall be determined by the Court through rule, order,

policy, or regulation, except as otherwise provided by law.

Comment: Access to case records by the public is governed by the Case Records Public Access

Policy of the Unified Judicial System. See Local Rule of Judicial Administration 3000 and 3001.

The Policy in no way alters the ability and authority of the Court, upon application of a party or

acting sua sponte, to seal a record or any portion of a record for reasons not inconsistent with the

Policy, or other applicable governing authority.