Adm. Cnty. Pa. 802

As amended through August 12, 2024
Rule 802 - Records
A. Officers.

The Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations Section, Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills shall be responsible for the safekeeping of records in their respective offices.

B. Unsupervised Access to Records.

No person other than a judge, attorney admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, or persons designated by a judge or attorney may have unsupervised access to records. Attorneys shall designate which employees from their law office may have unsupervised access. The designation of law office employees must be written and filed in the appropriate office. All unsupervised access shall be limited to the Court's normal business hours and confined to the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations Section or Recorder/Register's Offices where the records are stored. Attorneys and designated employees must sign an acknowledgement that they understand this Rule and will do nothing to damage or compromise the integrity of records. If the law office employee's designation is to be removed due to termination of employment or otherwise the attorney shall promptly so notify the Officer. The Officer shall periodically request updated written designations.

C. Removal of Records.

Officers may not authorize temporary removal of records for the purposes of examination and study by any person other than a judge, judicial staff, masters, auditors, court-appointed arbitrators or other court appointed persons. Officers shall require receipts and must be informed precisely where the records may be located. Any person temporarily removing the records shall authorize the Officer to seize and regain possession of the records without process or notice, wherever they may be held. On the day of hearing the master, chairperson of Board of View, or chairperson of Board of Arbitration may remove the records applicable to the appointed case for use at the hearing and shall return said records intact to the Officer at the end of said hearing. Where the records in a case are unusually voluminous the Officer may relax the restrictions of this Rule so that the original records may be removed from the office for a longer period of time.

D. Electronic Copies.

Upon appointment by the Court the Officer shall make electronic copies of the pleadings available to a master, members of Board of View and members of Board of Arbitration.

Adm. Cnty. Pa. 802

Amended effective 8/12/2024.