Pennsylvania Civil Cover Sheet

PENNSYLVANIA COURT OF COMMON PLEAS — CIVIL COVER SHEET

Pa.R.C.P. 205.5

FILING REQUIREMENT: Under Pa.R.C.P. 205.5, at the commencement of any action, the party initiating the action SHALL complete the official civil cover sheet and file it with the prothonotary. The prothonotary may not accept a filing commencing an action without a completed cover sheet. The prothonotary must assist self-represented parties in completing the form. Judicial districts that have implemented electronic filing under Rule 205.4 may be exempt if their e-filing system captures and transmits the required information.

EXCEPTIONS: This rule does not apply to domestic relations matters, protection from abuse actions (PFA), support actions, custody actions, or actions filed pursuant to the Rules of Criminal Procedure.

SECTION 1: CASE CAPTION

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF [________________________________] COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

                                                    CIVIL ACTION — ☐ LAW  ☐ EQUITY

[________________________________],                 :
            Plaintiff(s)                            :   DOCKET NO.: [________________]
                                                    :   (Assigned by Prothonotary)
        v.                                          :
                                                    :   FILING DATE: [__/__/____]
[________________________________],                 :
            Defendant(s)                            :

COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION:
☐ Complaint           ☐ Writ of Summons
☐ Petition            ☐ Transfer from Another County
☐ Appeal from MDJ     ☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 2: CASE TYPE — PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION

Instructions: Select ONE primary case type and the applicable sub-type code. The official cover sheet published by the Court Administrator includes specific case type codes. The codes listed below are based on the statewide standardized form. Some counties (notably Philadelphia) use additional or different code systems.

TORT

☐ Motor Vehicle Accident (Code: 2V)
☐ Assault and Battery (Code: 2B)
☐ Slip and Fall / Premises Liability (Code: 2P)
☐ Defamation (Code: 2D)
☐ Wrongful Death / Survival Action (Code: 2W)
☐ Wrongful Use of Civil Process (Code: 2E)
☐ Fraud (Code: 4F)
☐ Other Personal Injury (Code: 2O)
☐ Other Property Damage (Code: 2R)
☐ Other Tort (Code: 2X)

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY / MALPRACTICE

☐ Medical Malpractice (Code: 2M)

• ☐ Certificate of Merit required (Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3) — filed or to be filed within 60 days
  ☐ Dental Malpractice (Code: 2DN)
  ☐ Legal Malpractice (Code: 4L)
  ☐ Other Professional Liability (Code: 2PL)
  ☐ Product Liability (Code: 2PR)

CONTRACT

☐ Breach of Contract (Code: 1C)
☐ Construction Contract (Code: 1T)
☐ Mechanic's Lien (Code: 1M)
☐ Insurance Coverage / Bad Faith (Code: 1I)
☐ Negotiable Instrument / UCC (Code: 1N)
☐ Warranty (Code: 1W)
☐ Confession of Judgment (Code: 1J)
☐ Other Contract (Code: 1O)

REAL PROPERTY

☐ Mortgage Foreclosure — Residential (Code: 3F-R)
☐ Mortgage Foreclosure — Commercial (Code: 3F-C)
☐ Quiet Title (Code: Q1)
☐ Ejectment (Code: 3E)
☐ Rent / Lease / Landlord-Tenant (Code: 3R)
☐ Partition (Code: 3P)
☐ Tax Sale (Code: 3T)
☐ Other Real Property (Code: 3O)

EQUITY

☐ Declaratory Judgment (Code: 1D)
☐ Injunction / Equitable Relief (Code: 1E)
☐ Mandamus (Code: M1)
☐ Quo Warranto (Code: QW)
☐ Replevin (Code: RP)
☐ Other Equity (Code: 1EO)

CIVIL APPEAL

☐ Appeal from Magisterial District Judge (Code: 5A)
☐ Award of Board of Viewers (Code: 5V)
☐ Local Agency Appeal (Code: 5L)
☐ Board of Elections Appeal (Code: 5E)
☐ Statutory Appeal — Zoning Board (Code: 5Z)
☐ Statutory Appeal — Tax Assessment (Code: 5T)
☐ Other Statutory Appeal (Code: 5O)
☐ Compulsory Arbitration Appeal (Code: 5C)

MISCELLANEOUS

☐ Employment — Discrimination (Code: 6D)
☐ Employment — Wrongful Termination (Code: 6W)
☐ Employment — Wage / WPCL (Code: 6G)
☐ Employment — Restrictive Covenant / Non-Compete (Code: 6R)
☐ Labor Dispute (Code: 6L)
☐ Confirm / Vacate Arbitration Award (Code: 6A)
☐ Minor's or Incapacitated Person's Compromise (Code: 6M)
☐ Change of Name (Code: 6N)
☐ Business / Commercial / UCC (Code: 6B)
☐ Class Action (Code: 6CL)
☐ Other Civil (Code: 6O)

SECTION 3: SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND DESIGNATIONS

Commerce Program

☐ Commerce Program case — Case involves business or commercial disputes eligible for the Commerce Program (where available; currently implemented in Philadelphia, Allegheny, Chester, Lancaster, and other counties)

Commerce Program cases typically include corporate governance disputes, shareholder derivative actions, securities claims, UCC disputes, partnership and LLC disputes, intellectual property disputes, and other complex commercial matters.

Complex Litigation

☐ Complex litigation designation requested — Case involves issues requiring coordinated or specialized management (mass tort, class action, multi-party litigation, or other complex matter)

Statewide Mass Tort Programs

☐ Case involves pharmaceutical litigation
☐ Case involves asbestos litigation
☐ Case involves environmental mass tort

SECTION 4: AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY AND ARBITRATION ELIGIBILITY

Monetary Relief Sought:
$[________________________________] (exclusive of interest, costs, and attorney fees)

☐ Amount in controversy exceeds $50,000
☐ Amount in controversy is $50,000 or less

Non-Monetary Relief:
☐ Injunctive relief: [________________________________]
☐ Declaratory judgment: [________________________________]
☐ Specific performance: [________________________________]
☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]

Compulsory Arbitration Eligibility

42 Pa.C.S. § 7361 and Pa.R.C.P. 1301: Each judicial district establishes a dollar threshold for compulsory arbitration. Arbitration is mandatory for all civil cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed the county's arbitration limit (up to $50,000 by statute). Cases involving title to real property are exempt from compulsory arbitration.

☐ Case IS subject to compulsory arbitration — Amount within county threshold

• County arbitration threshold: $[________________________________]
  ☐ Case is NOT subject to compulsory arbitration — Reason:
  ☐ Amount exceeds county arbitration threshold
  ☐ Case involves title to real property
  ☐ Case type is exempt under local rule
  ☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 5: JURY DEMAND

Pa.R.C.P. 1007.1: A party may demand a jury trial by filing a written demand with the prothonotary and serving it on all other parties. The demand must be filed no later than 20 days after service of the last permissible pleading. A party who fails to file and serve a timely demand waives a jury trial.

☐ Jury trial demanded — Demand endorsed hereon
☐ Non-jury (bench trial)
☐ Jury demand to be filed separately

Jury Fee Deposit:
☐ Jury fee deposited with prothonotary: $[________________________________]
☐ Fee to be paid upon scheduling

SECTION 6: FILING STATUS

☐ Initial filing — new case
☐ Transfer from another county — Original county: [________________________________], Docket No.: [________________]
☐ Appeal from Magisterial District Judge — MDJ Docket No.: [________________], MDJ Name: [________________________________]
☐ Petition to Open / Strike Judgment — Original Docket No.: [________________]
☐ Refiled action — Prior Docket No.: [________________]

SECTION 7: PARTY INFORMATION

Plaintiff(s)

(Attach additional sheet if more than two plaintiffs)

Defendant(s)

(Attach additional sheet if more than two defendants)

Minor or Incapacitated Party

☐ Case involves a minor — initials used in caption where required
☐ Case involves an incapacitated person — guardian ad litem needed
☐ Compromise petition required (Pa.R.C.P. 2039 / 2064)

SECTION 8: ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Attorney for Filing Party

☐ Pro Se (Self-Represented Litigant)

• Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• Phone / Email: [________________________________]

Note: Under Pa.R.C.P. 1012, an entry of appearance must be filed with the prothonotary. The cover sheet does not substitute for a formal entry of appearance.

SECTION 9: RELATED CASES AND CONSOLIDATION

☐ No related cases
☐ Related cases exist:

☐ Consolidation or coordination requested
☐ Prior arbitration — Docket No.: [________________]
☐ Prior appeal — Docket No.: [________________]
☐ Companion case — Docket No.: [________________]

SECTION 10: E-FILING INFORMATION

Pa.R.C.P. 205.4: Pennsylvania has implemented electronic filing in many judicial districts. Where e-filing has been authorized by local rule, attorneys are generally required to file electronically. Self-represented parties may be exempt.

E-Filing System:
☐ PACFile (Pennsylvania Appellate Courts)
☐ County e-filing system: [________________________________]
☐ File & ServeXpress
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Filing Status:
☐ E-filing required in this judicial district — filing electronically
☐ Paper filing — e-filing not yet implemented in this judicial district
☐ Paper filing approved by court order (hardship exemption)
☐ Self-represented litigant — exempt from mandatory e-filing

Note: Judicial districts implementing e-filing under Rule 205.4 may be exempt from the requirement to file a separate cover sheet form if their e-filing system captures and transmits the same information to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC).

SECTION 11: SERVICE OF PROCESS

Method of Service:
☐ Personal service by sheriff
☐ Personal service by competent adult (Pa.R.C.P. 400.1)
☐ Certified mail, return receipt requested
☐ Acceptance of service (Pa.R.C.P. 402(b))
☐ Service on authorized agent
☐ Service on Secretary of the Commonwealth (Pa.R.C.P. 404, 2079, 2156)
☐ Service by publication (Pa.R.C.P. 430)
☐ Special order of court for alternative service

Service Addresses:

SECTION 12: ADA ACCOMMODATIONS AND INTERPRETER SERVICES

☐ No accommodations needed
☐ Accommodations requested:
☐ Wheelchair-accessible facilities
☐ Assistive listening device
☐ Sign language interpreter — Type: ☐ ASL ☐ Other: [________________________________]
☐ Real-time captioning (CART)
☐ Large-print documents
☐ Visual aids
☐ Other: [________________________________]

☐ Foreign language interpreter needed
Language: [________________________________]
☐ For party ☐ For witness

Contact the court ADA coordinator at least 10 business days before any scheduled proceeding.

SECTION 13: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that the information provided in this cover sheet is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I understand this cover sheet is for administrative purposes and does not substitute for filings required by the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.

Date: [__/__/____]

________________________________________
Signature of Filing Attorney or Pro Se Party

________________________________________
Printed Name

________________________________________
Pennsylvania Bar ID No. / Pro Se

________________________________________
Attorney for: [Plaintiff / Defendant]

________________________________________
Firm Name

________________________________________
Address / Phone / Email

PRACTICE TIPS: COMMON FILING ERRORS IN PENNSYLVANIA

1. Missing Cover Sheet Entirely: Under Pa.R.C.P. 205.5, the prothonotary CANNOT accept a complaint or writ of summons without a completed cover sheet. Filing will be refused, not just flagged.

2. Wrong Case Type Code: Using an incorrect case type code can result in assignment to the wrong program (e.g., Commerce Program vs. general civil). Verify codes against the official AOPC form, especially in Philadelphia and Allegheny counties which have unique code systems.

3. Failure to Note Arbitration Eligibility: If the case falls within the county's compulsory arbitration threshold, it must be identified as such on the cover sheet. Failure to do so can delay case assignment and scheduling. Thresholds vary by county — common amounts are $25,000, $35,000, and $50,000.

4. Medical Malpractice Certificate of Merit: Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3 requires filing a certificate of merit within 60 days of filing the complaint in professional liability cases. Failure to timely file is grounds for dismissal. Note this obligation on the cover sheet.

5. Confession of Judgment Requirements: When filing a confession of judgment, Pennsylvania requires specific attestations. Residential mortgage foreclosures also require Act 91 notice compliance and a diversion court program cover sheet in many counties.

6. MDJ Appeal Deadlines: Appeals from magisterial district judge decisions must be filed within 30 days. The cover sheet must correctly identify the case as an MDJ appeal with the original docket number. Filing fees for MDJ appeals differ from new case filings.

7. Philadelphia-Specific Requirements: Philadelphia County uses its own civil cover sheet form (Form 01-101) with different case type codes and additional fields including the Commerce Program designation. Do not use the statewide form in Philadelphia without checking local requirements.

8. Foreclosure-Specific Requirements: Residential mortgage foreclosure filings require compliance with Act 91 (notice to borrower), Act 6 (usury provisions), and local foreclosure diversion program requirements. Many counties require a separate foreclosure certification or cover sheet.

9. Local Cover Sheet Requirements: Under Pa.R.C.P. 205.2(b), individual judicial districts may require additional local cover sheets. Filing the statewide cover sheet alone may be insufficient — check for Local Rule 205.2(b) in the filing county.

10. Jury Demand Timing: The demand must be filed within 20 days after service of the last permissible pleading under Pa.R.C.P. 1007.1. Missing this deadline waives the jury right, and courts are generally unforgiving about late demands.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Pa.R.C.P. 205.5 (Cover Sheet): https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov
• Official Cover Sheet Form — AOPC: https://www.pacourts.us
• 42 Pa.C.S. § 7361 (Compulsory Arbitration): https://www.legis.state.pa.us
• Pa.R.C.P. 1007.1 (Jury Demand): https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov
• Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3 (Certificate of Merit): https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov
• Pennsylvania E-Filing Information: https://www.pacourts.us

This template is provided by ezel.ai for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. The official cover sheet form is published by the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania. County-specific local cover sheets may also be required. Consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney before filing.