Our Pittsburgh law firm handles cases in Pittsburgh, which is located within Allegheny county, plus we handle all the surrounding counties including Beaver, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland, Mercer, and Greene Counties.
The focus of this page are the practices within Allegheny county. Click here to find a link to the county rules of Allegheny.
Rule Changes – Arbitration Cases
Importantly, starting February 1, 2020, the rules are changing for cases on the arbitration docket where the amount at issue is $35,000 or less.  Often, these cases involve breach of contract and debt collection matters.
Previously, all of the motions and pre-trial disputes would be heard by the “Special Motions Judge,” which was Judge Colville.  Only Judge Colville has since been sworn into the federal court and is no longer a judge and Allegheny County.
With this, there is a new procedure governing motions in arbitration cases in Allegheny County. These cases will be heard by a variety of different judges and not be consolidated within the special motions judge, which had been Judge Colville. Previously, a lawyer could look at the previous rulings of the special motions judge (Judge Colville) to get an idea of how he might rule on a case.
The Need For Experienced Counsel
Now, however, there is no longer “a special motions judge” in Allegheny County.  Rather, it appears that the various judges in Allegheny County will be pitching in to handle motions relating to arbitration cases, such that you (and your lawyer) may not know which judge will be assigned to handle the motion you intend to present or oppose in your arbitration case.
This is why it pays to have experience counsel who is familiar with not only the previous holdings of not only Judge Colville but also the prior holding other judges, who may be assisting in matters previously relegated to the special motions judge.
The New Rule in Allegheny County is below.
Contact our lawyers for a consultation!

412.780.0008

CIVIL DIVISION
 
January 23, 2020
 
For Immediate Release
 
Updates to Civil Division Motions
 
 
        Please be advised the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Civil Division will institute the following changes to Civil Division Motions practice effective February 1, 2020:
 
  1. General Docket Motions
    • All General Docket Motions, except as discussed in Section III below, and Arbitration Motions will be heard by the General Motions Judge.  
    • There is no longer a Special Motions Judge; there is now a Discovery Motions Judge.
    • General Docket Motions for Summary Judgment/Judgment on the Pleadings will continue to be scheduled by Calendar Control for all General Docket cases, to be included on the General Argument List.
 
  1. Arbitration Motions
    • The original and a copy of any motion relating to an arbitration case shall be taken to the Arbitration Department in Room 702 of the City County Building.  The clerk will provide, on the original and the copy of the motion, a time and date for an argument before the General Motions Judge.  The clerk will provide the original to the Chief Motions Clerk located in Room 703 of the City County Building and return the copy to the party filing the motion.  This party shall immediately serve copies of the motion on all other parties with notice of the date and time of the argument.
 
  • Motions for summary judgment and preliminary objections relating to arbitration cases will be scheduled by presenting the original motion to the Chief Motions Clerk located in Room 703 of the City County Building.  
 
  1. Discovery Motions
    • All General Docket Discovery Motions will be heard by the Discovery Motions Judge, the Honorable Philip A. Ignelzi, on Fridays in Courtroom 815 beginning at 2:00 P.M. and will be scheduled by contacting the Jury Assignment Room, at 412-350-5466, after 1:30 P.M.
 
  • However, discovery disputes relating to a request for injunctive relief  pending before the General Motions Judge, shall be heard by the General Motions Judge.  Additionally, discovery disputes relating to or arising out of a Rule to Show Cause issued by the General Motions Judge, shall also be heard by the General Motions Judge.
 
  • Motions relating to Pre-Complaint Discovery and Certificates of Non-Involvement will also be heard by the Discovery  Judge, Judge Ignelzi on Fridays at 2:00 P.M. in Courtroom 815, and these too will be scheduled by the Assignment Room.  
 
  • Judge Ignelzi will continue to hear add-on General Docket Discovery Motions with notice provided to all parties pursuant to Local Rule 208.3(a)(2)(b).