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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 09-148

COURTS

Title 210--APPELLATE PROCEDURE

[ 210 PA. CODE CHS. 1, 9, 11, 19, 21, 25 AND 37 ]

Order Adopting Amendments to Pa.R.A.P. 102, 904, 905, 1112, 1113, 1116, 1123, 1925, 1931, 1972, 2113, 2154, 2172, 2185, 2542, 2545, and to Official Notes to Pa.R.A.P. 2572 and 3723; No. 197; Appellate Procedural Rules; Doc. No. 1

[39 Pa.B. 508]
[Saturday, January 31, 2009]

Order

Per Curiam

   And Now, this 13th day of January, 2009, upon the recommendation of the Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee, the proposal having been published before adoption at 38 Pa.B. 4723 on August 30, 2008:

   It Is Ordered, pursuant to Article V, Section 10 of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, that Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure 102, 904, 905, 1112, 1113, 1116, 1123, 1925, 1931, 1972, 2113, 2154, 2172, 2185, 2542, 2545, and to Official Notes to Pa.R.A.P. 2572 and 3723 are amended in the following form.

   This Order shall be processed in accordance with Pa.R.J.A. No. 103(b) and shall be effective as to all appeals filed 60 days or more after adoption.

Annex A

TITLE 210. APPELLATE PROCEDURE

PART I. RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE

ARTICLE I. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

IN GENERAL

Rule 102. Definitions.

   Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of these rules which are applicable to specific provisions of these rules, the following words and phrases when used in these rules shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this rule:

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   Appropriate security--Security which meets the requirements of Rule 1734 (appropriate security).

   Children's fast track appeal--Any appeal from an order involving dependency, termination of parental rights, adoptions, custody or paternity. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 6301 et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 2511 et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 2101 et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 5301 et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. §§ 5102 et seq.

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ARTICLE II. APPELLATE PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 9.  APPEALS FROM LOWER COURTS

Rule 904. Content of the Notice of Appeal.

   (a)  Form.--[The] Except as otherwise prescribed by this rule, the notice of appeal shall be in substantially the following form:

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   Notice is hereby given that C.D., defendant above named, hereby appeals to the (Supreme) (Superior) (Commonwealth) Court of Pennsylvania from the order entered in this matter on the __ day of _____ [19] 20 ____ . This order has been entered in the docket as evidenced by the attached copy of the docket entry.

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   (e)  Content in criminal cases.--When the Commonwealth takes an appeal pursuant to Rule 311(d), the notice of appeal shall include a certification by counsel that the order will terminate or substantially handicap the prosecution.

   (f)  Content in children's fast track appeals.--In a children's fast track appeal the notice of appeal shall include a statement advising the appellate court that the appeal is a children's fast track appeal.

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Rule 905. Filing of Notice of Appeal.

   (a)  Filing with clerk.

   (1)  Two copies of the notice of appeal, the order for transcript, if any, and the proof of service required by Rule 906 (service of notice of appeal), shall be filed with the clerk of the trial court. If the appeal is to the Supreme Court, the jurisdictional statement required by Rule 909 shall also be filed with the clerk of the trial court.

   (2)  If the appeal is a children's fast track appeal, the concise statement of errors complained of on appeal as described in Rule 1925(a)(2) shall be filed with the notice of appeal and served in accordance with Rule 1925(b)(1).

   (3)  Upon receipt of the notice of appeal the clerk shall immediately stamp it with the date of receipt, and that date shall constitute the date when the appeal was taken, which date shall be shown on the docket.

   (4)  If a notice of appeal is mistakenly filed in an appellate court, or is otherwise filed in an incorrect office within the unified judicial system, the clerk shall immediately stamp it with the date of receipt and transmit it to the clerk of the court which entered the order appealed from, and upon payment of an additional filing fee the notice of appeal shall be deemed filed in the trial court on the date originally filed.

   (5)  A notice of appeal filed after the announcement of a determination but before the entry of an appealable order shall be treated as filed after such entry and on the day thereof.

   (b)  Transmission to appellate court. The clerk shall immediately transmit to the prothonotary of the appellate court named in the notice of appeal a copy of the notice of appeal showing the date of receipt, the related proof of service and a receipt showing collection of any docketing fee in the appellate court required under Subdivision (c). If the appeal is a children's fast track appeal, the clerk shall stamp the notice of appeal with a ''Children's Fast Track'' designation in red ink, advising the appellate court that the appeal is a children's fast track appeal and shall transmit to the prothonotary of the appellate court named in the notice of appeal the concise statement of errors complained of on appeal required by Subdivision (a)(2) of this rule. The clerk shall also transmit with such papers:

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CHAPTER 11. APPEALS FROM COMMONWEALTH COURT AND SUPERIOR COURT

PETITION FOR ALLOWANCE OF APPEAL

Rule 1112. Appeals by Allowance.

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   (c)  Petition for allowance of appeal.[--]

   (1)  Allowance of an appeal from a final order of the Superior Court or the Commonwealth Court may be sought by filing a petition for allowance of appeal with the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court within the time allowed by Rule 1113 (time for petitioning for allowance of appeal), with proof of service on all other parties to the matter in the appellate court below.

   (2)  If the petition for allowance of appeal is transmitted to the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court by means of first class, express, or priority United States Postal Service mail, the petition shall be deemed received by the prothonotary for the purposes of Rule 121(a) (filing) on the date deposited in the United States mail, as shown on a U.S. Postal Service Form 3817 Certificate of Mailing or other similar United States Postal Service form from which the date of deposit can be verified. The certificate of mailing or other similar Postal Service form from which the date of deposit can be verified shall be cancelled by the Postal Service, shall show the docket number of the matter in the appellate court below and shall be either enclosed with the petition or separately mailed to the prothonotary.

   (3)  Upon actual receipt of the petition for allowance of appeal the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court shall immediately stamp it with the date of actual receipt. That date, or the date of earlier deposit in the United States mail as prescribed in this subdivision, shall constitute the date when allowance of appeal was sought, which date shall be shown on the docket. The Prothonotary of the Supreme Court shall immediately note the Supreme Court docket number upon the petition for allowance of appeal and give written notice of the docket number assignment in person or by first class mail to the prothonotary of the appellate court below who shall note on the docket that a petition for allowance of appeal has been filed to the petitioner and to the other persons named in the proof of service accompanying the petition.

   (4)  In a children's fast track appeal, the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court shall stamp the petition for allowance of appeal with a ''Children's Fast Track'' designation in red ink, advising the Supreme Court that the petition for allowance of appeal is a children's fast track appeal.

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   (f)  Entry of appearance.--Upon the filing of the petition for allowance of appeal the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court shall note on the record as counsel for the petitioner the name of his or her counsel, if any, set forth in or endorsed upon the petition for allowance of appeal, and, as counsel for other parties, counsel, if any, named in the proof of service. The Prothonotary shall upon praecipe of any such counsel for other parties, filed at any time within 30 days after filing of the petition, strike off or correct the record of appearance. Thereafter a counsel's appearance for a party may not be withdrawn without leave of court unless another lawyer has entered or simultaneously enters an appearance for the party.

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The United States Postal Service form may be in substantially the following form:

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   With regard to subdivision (f) and withdrawal of appearance without leave of the appellate court, counsel may nonetheless be subject to trial court supervision pursuant to Pa.R.Crim.P. 904 (Entry of Appearance and Appointment of Counsel; In Forma Pauperis).

   With respect to appearances by new counsel following the initial docketing of appearances pursuant to Subdivision (f) of this rule, please note the requirements of Rule 1200.

Rule 1113. Time for Petitioning for Allowance of Appeal.

   (a)  General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by this rule, a petition for allowance of appeal shall be filed with the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court within 30 days after the entry of the order of the Superior Court or the Commonwealth Court sought to be reviewed.

   (1)  If a timely application or reargument is filed in the Superior Court or Commonwealth Court by any party, the time for filing a petition for allowance of appeal for all parties shall run from the entry of the order denying reargument or from the entry of the decision on reargument, whether or not that decision amounts to a reaffirmation of the prior decision.

   (2)  Unless the Superior Court or the Commonwealth Court acts on the application for reargument within 60 days after it is filed the court shall no longer consider the application, it shall be deemed to have been denied and the prothonotary of the appellate court shall forthwith enter an order denying the application and shall immediately give written notice in person or by first class mail of entry of the order denying the application to each party who has appeared in the appellate court. A petition for allowance of appeal filed before the disposition of such an application for reargument shall have no effect. A new petition for allowance of appeal must be filed within the prescribed time measured from the entry of the order denying or otherwise disposing of such an application for reargument.

   (3)  In a children's fast track appeal, unless the Superior Court acts on the application for reargument within 45 days after it is filed the court shall no longer consider the application, it shall be deemed to have been denied and the Prothonotary of the Superior Court shall forthwith enter an order denying the application and shall immediately give written notice in person or by first class mail of entry of the order denying the application to each party who has appeared in the appellate court. A petition for allowance of appeal filed before the disposition of such an application for reargument shall have no effect. A new petition for allowance of appeal must be filed within the prescribed time measured from the entry of the order denying or otherwise disposing of such an application for reargument.

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Rule 1116. Brief in Opposition to Petition.

   (a)  General rule.--[Within] Except as otherwise prescribed by this rule, within 14 days after service of a petition for allowance of appeal an adverse party may file an answer. The answer shall be deemed filed on the date of mailing if first class, express, or priority United States Postal Service mail is utilized. The answer need not be set forth in numbered paragraphs in the manner of a pleading, shall set forth any procedural, substantive or other argument or ground why the order involved should not be reviewed by the Supreme Court and shall comply with Rule 1115(a)(7) (content of petition for allowance of appeal.). No separate motion to dismiss a petition for allowance of appeal will be received. A party entitled to file an answer under this rule who does not intend to do so shall, within the time fixed by these rules for filing an answer, file a letter stating that an answer to the petition for allowance of appeal will not be filed. The failure to file an answer will not be construed as concurrence in the request for allowance of appeal.

   (b)  Children's fast track appeals.--In a children's fast track appeal, within 10 days after service of a petition for allowance of appeal, an adverse party may file an answer.

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Rule 1123. Denial of Appeal; Reconsideration.

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   (b)  Reconsideration. Applications for reconsideration of denial of allowance of appeal are not favored and will be considered only in the most extraordinary circumstances. An application for reconsideration of denial of a petition for allowance of appeal shall be filed with the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court within fourteen days after entry of the order denying the petition for allowance of appeal. In a children's fast track appeal, the application for reconsideration of denial of a petition for allowance of appeal shall be filed with the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court within 7 days after entry of the order denying the petition for allowance of appeal. Any application filed under this subdivision must:

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CHAPTER 19. PREPARATION AND TRANSMISSION OF RECORD AND RELATED MATTERS

Rule 1925. Opinion [is] in Support of Order.

   (a)  Opinion in support of order.

   (1)  General rule.--[Upon] Except as otherwise prescribed by this rule, upon receipt of the notice of appeal, the judge who entered the order giving rise to the notice of appeal, if the reasons for the order do not already appear of record, shall forthwith file of record at least a brief opinion of the reasons for the order, or for the rulings or other errors complained of, or shall specify in writing the place in the record where such reasons may be found.

   (2)  Children's fast track appeals.--In a children's fast track appeal:

   (i)  The concise statement of errors complained of on appeal shall be filed and served with the notice of appeal required by Rule 905. See Pa.R.A.P. 905(a)(2).

   (ii)  Upon receipt of the notice of appeal and the concise statement of errors complained of on appeal required by Rule 905(a)(2), the judge who entered the order giving rise to the notice of appeal, if the reasons for the order do not already appear of record, shall within 30 days file of record at least a brief opinion of the reasons for the order, or for the rulings or other errors complained of, which may, but need not, refer to the transcript of the proceedings.

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   (b)  Direction to file statement of errors complained of on appeal; instructions to the appellant and the trial court. If the judge entering the order giving rise to the notice of appeal (''judge'') desires clarification of the errors complained of on appeal, the judge may enter an order directing the appellant to file of record in the trial court and serve on the judge a concise statement of the errors complained of on appeal (''Statement'').

   (1)  Filing and service.--Appellant shall file of record the Statement and concurrently shall serve the judge. Filing of record and service on the judge shall be in person or by mail as provided in Pa.R.A.P. 121(a) and shall be complete on mailing if appellant obtains a United States Postal Service [form] Form 3817, Certificate of Mailing, or other similar United States Postal Service form from which the date of deposit can be verified, in compliance with the requirements set forth in Pa.R.A.P. 1112(c). Service on parties shall be concurrent with filing and shall be by any means of service specified under Pa.R.A.P. 121(c).

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   (c)  Remand.

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   (4)  In a criminal case, counsel may file of record and serve on the judge a statement of intent to file an Anders/McClendon brief in lieu of filing a Statement. If, upon review of the Anders/McClendon brief, the appellate court believes that there are arguably meritorious issues for review, those issues will not be waived; instead, the appellate court may remand for the filing of a Statement, a supplemental opinion pursuant to Rule 1925(a), or both. Upon remand, the trial court may, but is not required to, replace appellant's counsel.

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   Official Note: Subdivision (a) The 2007 amendments clarify that a judge whose order gave rise to the notice of appeal may ask a prior judge who made a ruling in question for the reasons for that judge's decision. In such cases, more than one judge may issue separate Rule 1925(a) opinions for a single case. It may be particularly important for a judge to author a separate opinion if credibility was at issue in the pretrial ruling in question. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Yogel, 307 Pa. Super. 241, 243-44, 453 A.2d 15, 16 (1982). At the same time, the basis for some pre-trial rulings will be clear from the order and/or opinion issued by the judge at the time the ruling was made, and there will then be no reason to seek a separate opinion from that judge under this rule. See, e.g., Pa.R.Crim.P. 581(I). Likewise, there will be times when the prior judge may explain the ruling to the judge whose order has given rise to the notice of appeal in sufficient detail that there will be only one opinion under Rule 1925(a), even though there are multiple rulings at issue. The time period for transmission of the record is specified in Pa.R.A.P. 1931, and that rule was concurrently amended to expand the time period for the preparation of the opinion and transmission of the record.

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Rule 1931. Transmission of the Record.

   (a)  Time for transmission.[--]

   (1)  General rule--[The] Except as otherwise prescribed by this rule, the record on appeal, including the transcript and exhibits necessary for the determination of the appeal, shall be transmitted to the appellate court within 60 days after the filing of the notice of appeal. If an appeal has been allowed or if permission to appeal has been granted, the record shall be transmitted as provided by Rule 1122 (allowance of appeal and transmission of record) or by Rule 1322 (permission to appeal and transmission of record), as the case may be. The appellate court may shorten or extend the time prescribed by this subdivision for a class or classes of cases.

   (2)  Children's fast track appeals.--In a children's fast track appeal, the record on appeal, including the transcript and exhibits necessary for the determination of the appeal, shall be transmitted to the appellate court within 30 days after the filing of the notice of appeal. If an appeal has been allowed or if permission to appeal has been granted, the record shall be transmitted as provided by Rule 1122 (allowance of appeal and transmission of record) or by Rule 1322 (permission to appeal and transmission of record), as the case may be.

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   (c)  Duty of clerk to transmit the record.--When the record is complete for purposes of the appeal, the clerk of the lower court shall transmit it to the prothonotary of the appellate court. The clerk of the lower court shall number the documents comprising the record and shall transmit with the record a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and identified with reasonable definiteness. Documents of unusual bulk or weight and physical exhibits other than documents shall not be transmitted by the clerk unless he or she is directed to do so by a party or by the prothonotary of the appellate court. A party must make advance arrangements with the clerk for the transportation and receipt of exhibits of unusual bulk or weight. Transmission of the record is effected when the clerk of the lower court mails or otherwise forwards the record to the prothonotary of the appellate court. The clerk of the lower court shall indicate, by endorsement on the face of the record or otherwise, the date upon which the record is transmitted to the appellate court.

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DISPOSITION WITHOUT REACHING THE MERITS

Rule 1972. Dispositions on Motion.

   (a)  Except as otherwise prescribed by this rule, [Subject] subject to Rule 123 (applications for relief), any party may move:

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   Any two or more of the grounds specified in this rule may be joined in the same motion. Unless otherwise ordered by the appellate court, a motion under this rule shall not relieve any party of the duty of filing his or her briefs and reproduced records within the time otherwise prescribed therefore. The court may grant or refuse the motion, in whole or in part; may postpone consideration thereof until argument of the case on the merits; or may make such other order as justice may require.

   (b)  In a children's fast track appeal, a dispositive motion filed under Paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(5), (a)(6) or (a)(7) of this rule shall be filed within 10 days of the filing of the statement of errors complained of on appeal required by Rule 905(a)(2), or within 10 days of the lower court's filing of a Rule 1925(a)(2) opinion, whichever period expires last, unless the basis for seeking to quash the appeal appears on the record subsequent to the time limit provided herein, or except upon application and for good cause shown.

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CHAPTER 21. BRIEFS AND REPRODUCED RECORD

CONTENT OF BRIEFS

Rule 2113. Reply Brief.

   (a)  General rule.--In accordance with Rule 2185(a) (Time for Serving and Filing Briefs[; General Rule]), the appellant may file a brief in reply to matters raised by appellee's brief and not previously addressed in appellant's brief. If the appellee has cross appealed, the appellee may file a similarly limited reply brief.

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CONTENT OF REPRODUCED RECORD

Rule 2154. Designation of Contents of Reproduced Record.

   (a)  General rule.--Except when the appellant has elected to proceed under Subdivision (b) of this rule, or as otherwise provided in Subdivision (c) of this rule, the appellant shall not later than 30 days before the date fixed by or pursuant to Rule 2185 (time for serving and filing briefs) for the filing of his or her brief, serve and file a designation of the parts of the record which he or she intends to reproduce and a brief statement of issues which he or she intends to present for review. If the appellee deems it necessary to direct the particular attention of the court to parts of the record not designated by the appellant, the appellee shall, within ten days after receipt of the designations of the appellant, serve and file a designation of those parts. The appellant shall include in the reproduced record the parts thus designated. In designating parts of the record for reproduction, the parties shall have regard for the fact that the entire record is always available to the court for reference and examination and shall not engage in unnecessary designation.

   (b)  Large records.--If the appellant shall so elect, or if the appellate court has prescribed by rule of court for classes of matters or by order in specific matters, preparation of the reproduced record may be deferred until after the briefs have been served. Where the appellant desires thus to defer preparation of the reproduced record, the appellant shall, not later than the date on which his or her designations would otherwise be due under Subdivision (a), serve and file notice that he or she intends to proceed under this subdivision. The provisions of Subdivision (a) shall then apply, except that the designations referred to therein shall be made by each party at the time his or her brief is served, and a statement of the issues presented shall be unnecessary.

   (c)  Children's fast track appeals.

   (1)  In a children's fast track appeal, the appellant shall not later than 23 days before the date fixed by or pursuant to Rule 2185 (time for serving and filing briefs) for the filing of his or her brief, serve and file a designation of the parts of the record which he or she intends to reproduce and a brief statement of issues which he or she intends to present for review. If the appellee deems it necessary to direct the particular attention of the court to parts of the record not designated by the appellant, the appellee shall, within 7 days after receipt of the designations of the appellant, serve and file a designation of those parts. The appellant shall include in the reproduced record the parts thus designated. In designating parts of the record for reproduction, the parties shall have regard for the fact that the entire record is always available to the court for reference and examination and shall not engage in unnecessary designation.

   (2)  In a children's fast track appeal, the provisions of Subdivision (b) shall not apply.

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FORM OF BRIEFS AND REPRODUCED RECORD

Rule 2172. Covers.

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   (b)  Children's fast track appeals.--In a children's fast track appeal, the front cover shall include a statement advising the appellate court that the appeal is a children's fast track appeal.

   [(b)] (c)  Reproduced record.--If the reproduced record is bound separately, the cover thereof shall be the same as provided in Subdivision (a), except that in place of the information set forth in Paragraph (a)(4) of this rule there shall appear ''Reproduced Record'' or ''Supplemental Reproduced Record,'' as the case may be.

   [(c)] (d)  Repetition in body of document.--Unless expressly required by these rules, none of the material set forth in Subdivisions (a) and (b) shall be repeated in the brief or reproduced record.

   [(d)] (e)  Cover stock.--The covers of all briefs and reproduced records must be so light in color as to permit writing in ink thereon to be easily read and so firm in texture that the ink will not run.

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FILING AND SERVICE

Rule 2185. Time for Serving and Filing Briefs.

   (a)  Time for serving and filing briefs.

   (1)  General [Rule] rule.--[The] Except as otherwise provided by this rule, the appellant shall serve and file appellant's brief not later than the date fixed pursuant to Subdivision (b) of this rule, or within 40 days after the date on which the record is filed, if no other date is so fixed. The appellee shall serve and file appellee's brief within 30 days after service of appellant's brief and reproduced record if proceeding under Rule 2154(a). A party may serve and file a reply brief permitted by these rules within 14 days after service of the preceding brief but, except for good cause shown, a reply brief must be served and filed so as to be received at least three days before argument. In cross appeals, the second brief of the deemed or designated appellant shall be served and filed within 30 days of service of the deemed or designated appellee's first brief. Except as prescribed by Rule 2187(b) (advance text of briefs), each brief shall be filed not later than the last day fixed by or pursuant to this rule for its service. Briefs shall be deemed filed on the date of mailing if first class, express, or priority United States Postal Service mail is utilized.

   (2)  Children's fast track appeals.

   (i)  In a children's fast track appeal, the appellant shall serve and file appellant's brief within 30 days after the date on which the record is filed, if no other date is so fixed. The appellee shall serve and file appellee's brief within 21 days after service of appellant's brief and reproduced record. A party may serve and file a reply brief permitted by these rules within 7 days after service of the preceding brief but, except for good cause shown, a reply brief must be served and filed so as to be received at least 3 days before argument. In cross appeals, the second brief of the deemed or designated appellant shall be served and filed within 21 days of service of the deemed or designated appellee's first brief. Briefs shall be deemed filed on the date of mailing if first class, express, or priority United States Postal Service mail is utilized.

   (ii)  In a children's fast track appeal, the provisions of Subdivisions (b) and (c) of this Rule shall not apply.

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   (c)  Definitive copies.--If the record is being reproduced pursuant to Rule 2154(b) (large records) the brief served pursuant to Subdivision (a) of this rule may be typewritten or page proof copies of the brief, with appropriate references to pages of the parts of the original record involved. Within 14 days after the reproduced record is filed each party who served briefs in advance form under this subdivision shall serve and file definitive copies of his or her brief or briefs containing references to the pages of the reproduced record in place of or in addition to the initial references to the pages of the parts of the original record involved (see Rule 2132 (references in the briefs to the record)). No other changes may be made in the briefs as initially served, except that typographical errors may be corrected.

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CHAPTER 25. POST-SUBMISSION PROCEEDINGS

APPLICATION FOR REARGUMENT

Rule 2542. Time for Application for Reargument. Manner of Filing.

   (a)  Time.[--]

   (1)  General rule.--[An] Except as otherwise prescribed by this rule, an application for reargument shall be filed with the prothonotary within 14 days after entry of the judgment or other order involved.

   (2)  Children's fast track appeals.--In a children's fast track appeal, an application for reargument shall be filed with the prothonotary within 7 days after entry of the judgment or other order involved.

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Rule 2545. Answer to Application for Reargument.

   (a)  General rule.--[Within] Except as otherwise prescribed by this rule, within 14 days after service of an application for reargument, an adverse party may file an answer. The answer shall be deemed filed on the date of mailing if first class, express, or priority United States Postal Service mail is utilized. The answer need not be set forth in numbered paragraphs in the manner of a pleading. The answer shall set forth any procedural, substantive or other argument or ground why the court should not grant reargument. No separate motion to dismiss an application for reargument will be received. A party entitled to file an answer under this rule who does not intend to do so shall, within the time fixed by these rules for filing an answer, file a letter stating that an answer to the application for reargument will not be filed. The failure to file an answer will not be construed as concurrence in the request for reargument.

   (b)  Children's fast track appeals.--In a children's fast track appeal, within 7 days after service of an application for reargument, an adverse party may file an answer. The answer shall be deemed filed on the date of mailing if first class, express, or priority United States Postal Service mail is utilized. The answer need not be set forth in numbered paragraphs in the manner of a pleading. The answer shall set forth any procedural, substantive or other argument or ground why the court should not grant reargument. No separate motion to dismiss an application for reargument will be received. A party entitled to file an answer under this rule who does not intend to do so shall, within the time fixed by these rules for filing an answer, file a letter stating that an answer to the application for reargument will not be filed. The failure to file an answer will not be construed as concurrence in the request for reargument.

REMAND OF RECORD

Rule 2572. Time for Remand of Record.

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   Official Note: Subdivision (a) is based upon former Commonwealth Court Rule 115A. Former Superior Court Rule 58 permitted the record to be returned to the lower court before the order became final upon expiration of the time to petition for allowance of appeal.

   Subdivision (b) extends the ten day period of former Supreme Court Rule 67 to 14 days to conform to the 14 day period for applying for reargument under Rule 2542(a)(1) (time for application for reargument).

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ARTICLE III.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 37. BUSINESS OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT

ARGUMENT BEFORE COURT EN BANC OR A PANEL

Rule 3723. Application for Reargument en Banc.

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   Official Note: Based on former Commonwealth Court Rule 43. The time for applying for reargument is increased from ten to 14 days. See Rule 2542(a)(1) (time for application for reargument).

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 09-148. Filed for public inspection January 30, 2009, 9:00 a.m.]



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