Pennsylvania Notice of Appearance (Praecipe for Entry of Appearance)

PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE / NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania — Court of Common Pleas

1. COURT HEADER AND CASE CAPTION

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF [________________________________] COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Division: ☐ Civil ☐ Commerce Program ☐ Trial ☐ Orphans' Court ☐ Family ☐ Other: [________________________________]

[________________________________],

Plaintiff(s),

v.

[________________________________],

Defendant(s).

PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE

TO THE PROTHONOTARY:

Kindly enter the appearance of the undersigned on behalf of [________________________________], [________________________________] (party designation), in the above-captioned matter.

2. PARTY INFORMATION

Appearing on behalf of:

Additional Parties Represented (if applicable):

3. ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1012(a), the undersigned provides the following information:

Note: Under Pa.R.C.P. 1012(a), the written appearance shall state an address at which pleadings and other legal papers may be served pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 440(a)(1), and a telephone number. The appearance may also include a facsimile number as provided by Pa.R.C.P. 440(d).

Additional Attorneys (if applicable):

4. TYPE OF APPEARANCE

The undersigned enters an appearance as follows (select all that apply):

☐ Entry of Appearance — Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1012(a), entering appearance for the above-named party

☐ Substitution of Counsel — Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1012(b)(2)(ii), simultaneously entering appearance while prior counsel [________________________________] (PA I.D. No. [________]) withdraws. The Praecipe for Substitution of Counsel is attached.

☐ Additional Counsel — Appearing as co-counsel alongside current counsel of record [________________________________] (PA I.D. No. [________])

☐ Pro Hac Vice Appearance — Out-of-state counsel appearing with leave of court (see Section 7)

☐ Limited Appearance — Appearance limited to specific matters (see Section 8)

☐ Guardian Ad Litem / Court-Appointed Counsel — Appointed by order dated [__/__/____]

Nature of the Action (if required by local rule):

☐ Assumpsit ☐ Trespass ☐ Equity ☐ Ejectment ☐ Quiet Title ☐ Mandamus ☐ Replevin ☐ Declaratory Judgment ☐ Mortgage Foreclosure ☐ Other: [________________________________]

5. APPEARANCE STATEMENT

Kindly enter the appearance of [________________________________], Esquire (Attorney I.D. No. [________________________________]), of [________________________________], on behalf of [________________________________], [________________________________] (party description), in the above-captioned civil action, pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1012.

Please serve all pleadings, motions, notices, orders, and other legal papers on the undersigned at the address set forth in Section 3 above, in accordance with Pa.R.C.P. 440.

6. CONSENT TO ELECTRONIC SERVICE

Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 205.4 and applicable local rules governing electronic filing:

☐ The undersigned CONSENTS to electronic service through the county's Electronic Filing System (EFS) and/or PACFile for all documents in this matter.

☐ The undersigned DOES NOT CONSENT to electronic service and requests service by conventional means pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 440.

E-Service Email Address(es):

Pennsylvania E-Filing System Information:

☐ This matter is filed in a county with mandatory electronic filing.

☐ The undersigned has registered with the applicable e-filing system:

• ☐ PACFile (Pennsylvania Appellate Courts)
• ☐ County-specific EFS: [________________________________]

Pennsylvania E-Filing Notes:

• Pennsylvania has 60 judicial districts, each corresponding to a county (except the consolidated 5th Judicial District covering Allegheny County).
• E-filing availability and requirements vary by county. Some counties have mandatory e-filing; others permit voluntary e-filing or require paper filing.
• PACFile is the system for Pennsylvania appellate courts. Trial court e-filing systems vary by county.
• Each county's Prothonotary administers civil case filings. Confirm local e-filing requirements with the Prothonotary's office.

7. PRO HAC VICE ADMISSION (Out-of-State Counsel)

Complete this section only if the appearing attorney is not admitted to practice in Pennsylvania.

Pursuant to Pa.B.A.R. 301 (Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rules) and applicable local rules, the undersigned out-of-state attorney requests permission to appear pro hac vice in this matter.

Out-of-State Attorney Information:

Disciplinary History:

☐ The applicant has never been the subject of disciplinary action in any jurisdiction.

☐ The applicant discloses the following disciplinary history:

[________________________________]

Required Pennsylvania Sponsoring Attorney:

Pro hac vice applicants must be sponsored by a Pennsylvania-licensed attorney. The sponsoring attorney is:

Pro Hac Vice Requirements Checklist:

☐ Verified motion for pro hac vice admission filed

☐ Pennsylvania sponsoring attorney has entered or is entering an appearance

☐ Certificate of good standing from home state bar attached

☐ Pro hac vice fee paid (verify current fee with the county Prothonotary)

☐ Applicant is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of another state

☐ Court order granting pro hac vice admission obtained (Order dated [__/__/____])

8. LIMITED SCOPE REPRESENTATION

Complete this section only if a limited appearance is being entered.

Pursuant to Pa.R.P.C. 1.2(c) and applicable local rules, the undersigned enters a limited scope appearance.

Scope of Representation:

☐ Specific motion or hearing: [________________________________]

☐ Discovery phase only

☐ Trial only

☐ Settlement conference or mediation only

☐ Arbitration hearing only (compulsory arbitration under Pa.R.C.P. 1301 et seq.)

☐ Appeal from arbitration award only

☐ Specific proceeding: [________________________________]

☐ Other limited purpose: [________________________________]

Scheduled Event Date (if applicable): [__/__/____]

Duration of Limited Appearance:

☐ Terminates automatically upon conclusion of the specified matter or event

☐ Terminates on [__/__/____]

☐ Terminates upon further order of the Court

Client Acknowledgment:

☐ The client has provided informed written consent to limited scope representation.

☐ A copy of the written agreement defining the scope of limited representation is maintained in counsel's file.

Note: Pennsylvania practice generally requires leave of court for withdrawal of appearance under Pa.R.C.P. 1012(b). A Praecipe for Withdrawal of Appearance may be filed without leave of court only if another attorney has previously entered or simultaneously enters an appearance on behalf of the party and the change of attorneys does not delay any stage of the litigation.

9. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I, [________________________________], hereby certify that on [__/__/____], a true and correct copy of this Praecipe for Entry of Appearance / Notice of Appearance was served upon the following parties or counsel of record in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 440:

Note: Pa.R.C.P. 1012(c) requires that written notice of entry of an appearance be given forthwith to all parties.

10. SIGNATURE BLOCK

Respectfully submitted,

[________________________________]
(Law Firm Name)

By: ______________________________________

[________________________________], Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. [________________________________]
[________________________________] (Street Address)
[________________________________], Pennsylvania [__________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Facsimile: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]
Counsel for [________________________________]

Dated: [__/__/____]

11. PRAECIPE FORMS (Per Pa.R.C.P. 1012)

Form A: Praecipe for Entry of Appearance (Pa.R.C.P. 1012(f)(1))

(Caption)

PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE

To the Prothonotary:

Enter my appearance for [________________________________], [________________________________] (party designation).

______________________________________
(Signature)

Form B: Praecipe for Withdrawal of Appearance (Pa.R.C.P. 1012(f)(2))

(For use when another attorney has already entered an appearance)

(Caption)

PRAECIPE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE

To the Prothonotary:

Withdraw my appearance for [________________________________], [________________________________] (party designation).

An appearance on behalf of the above party ☐ was previously entered by ☐ is simultaneously being entered by [________________________________], Esquire (Attorney I.D. No. [________________________________]).

______________________________________
[________________________________], Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. [________________________________]

Form C: Praecipe for Substitution of Counsel (Pa.R.C.P. 1012(f)(3))

(Caption)

PRAECIPE FOR SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL

To the Prothonotary:

Withdraw the appearance of [________________________________], Esquire (Attorney I.D. No. [________________________________]) and enter the appearance of [________________________________], Esquire (Attorney I.D. No. [________________________________]) for [________________________________], [________________________________] (party designation).

This substitution of counsel will not delay any stage of the litigation.

______________________________________
[________________________________], Esquire (Entering Attorney)
Attorney I.D. No. [________________________________]

______________________________________
[________________________________], Esquire (Withdrawing Attorney)
Attorney I.D. No. [________________________________]

12. E-FILING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PENNSYLVANIA COURTS

County-Specific E-Filing Systems

Pennsylvania does not have a unified statewide trial court e-filing system. Each county may have its own system or require paper filing. Common steps include:

Step 1: Determine the County's System

• Contact the Prothonotary's office for the filing county
• Determine whether the county uses a local EFS, requires paper filing, or accepts both
• Register for the county's e-filing system if available

Step 2: Prepare the Document

• Complete the Praecipe for Entry of Appearance in the format required by the county
• Some counties have their own pre-printed praecipe forms available from the Prothonotary
• Save the document as a PDF if filing electronically

Step 3: File with the Prothonotary

• E-file through the county's EFS, or
• File in person or by mail with the Prothonotary
• Pay the applicable filing fee (verify with the county Prothonotary)

Step 4: Serve All Parties

• Provide written notice of entry of appearance forthwith to all parties per Pa.R.C.P. 1012(c)
• Service must comply with Pa.R.C.P. 440

Step 5: Retain Confirmation

• Retain the e-filing confirmation or Prothonotary's time-stamped copy
• Keep proof of service for your records

Special County Requirements

Philadelphia County (First Judicial District):

• Commerce Program cases require filing of Form 50 (Attorney Contact Information) with the appearance
• E-filing may be required through the First Judicial District's EFS
• Complex litigation center cases may have additional requirements

Allegheny County (Fifth Judicial District):

• Uses its own e-filing system for civil cases
• Verify requirements with the Prothonotary

Other Counties:

• Many counties in Pennsylvania still require or prefer paper filing
• Always confirm with the local Prothonotary before filing

13. PRACTITIONER NOTES — PENNSYLVANIA

Statutory and Rule Framework

• Pa.R.C.P. 1012(a): A party may enter a written appearance stating the address for service under Rule 440(a)(1) and a telephone number. Entry of a written appearance is not mandatory, but in practice most courts expect one.
• Pa.R.C.P. 1012(b): An attorney may not withdraw without leave of court, EXCEPT when another attorney has previously entered or simultaneously enters an appearance and the substitution does not delay litigation.
• Pa.R.C.P. 1012(c): Written notice of entry of appearance must be given forthwith to all parties.
• Pa.R.C.P. 1012(f): Contains the standardized praecipe forms for entry, withdrawal, and substitution.
• Pa.R.C.P. 440: Governs service of legal papers other than original process, including service by mail, personal delivery, and electronic means.
• Pa.R.C.P. 205.4: Governs electronic filing and service where authorized by local rules.

The Praecipe System

Pennsylvania uses a unique "praecipe" system for certain filings. A praecipe is a written order directed to the Prothonotary (the clerk of courts for civil matters) requesting a specific action. The praecipe for entry of appearance is directed "To the Prothonotary" and requests that the attorney's appearance be entered on the docket.

Judicial Districts

• Pennsylvania has 60 judicial districts, each corresponding to a county (except Allegheny County, which is the 5th Judicial District).
• Each judicial district may have local rules supplementing the statewide Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Always check local rules for the specific county where you are filing.

Key Practice Points

1. Praecipe Form: Use the standardized praecipe form from Pa.R.C.P. 1012(f)(1). Many counties also have their own pre-printed forms available from the Prothonotary's office.

2. Prothonotary vs. Clerk of Courts: In Pennsylvania, the Prothonotary handles civil filings. The Clerk of Courts handles criminal filings. File the entry of appearance with the Prothonotary.

3. Forthwith Notice: Pa.R.C.P. 1012(c) requires that notice of entry of appearance be given "forthwith" to all parties. This means immediately or as soon as reasonably possible.

4. Withdrawal Without Leave of Court: Withdrawal without leave is permitted only when (a) another attorney has already entered an appearance or simultaneously enters one, AND (b) the change does not delay litigation. Otherwise, a motion to withdraw with court approval is required.

5. Philadelphia Commerce Program: If appearing in a Commerce Program case in Philadelphia, attach Form 50 (Attorney Contact Information Form) to the entry of appearance.

6. Compulsory Arbitration: Cases subject to compulsory arbitration under Pa.R.C.P. 1301 et seq. still require entry of appearance. The appearance remains effective through arbitration and any appeal.

7. Appearance Fees: Some counties charge an appearance fee. Confirm the current fee with the Prothonotary before filing.

8. Inactive Case Termination: Under Pa.R.J.A. 1901, cases without docket activity may be terminated. Entering an appearance may help demonstrate ongoing case activity.

Common Errors to Avoid

• Directing the praecipe to the "Clerk of Courts" instead of the "Prothonotary"
• Failing to provide the Attorney I.D. Number on the praecipe
• Not giving forthwith notice to all parties under Pa.R.C.P. 1012(c)
• Attempting to withdraw without leave of court when no substitute counsel has entered an appearance
• Failing to check local rules for county-specific appearance requirements or forms

This template is provided by ezel.ai for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. All filings must be reviewed and approved by a licensed Pennsylvania attorney before submission to any court. Verify all statutory citations and local court rules before use, as rules and fees may change.