Sch. Cnty. Pa. 1018.1

As amended through February 1, 2024

Rule 1018.1 - NOTICE TO DEFEND. FORM

(a) Every complaint filed by a plaintiff and every complaint filed by a defendant against an additional defendant shall begin with a Notice to Defend, followed by a Notice Concerning Mediation.

(b) - (c) Reserved.

(c)

(1) Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service, 100 South Street, P.O. Box 186, Harrisburg, PA 17108, Telephone 1-800-692-7375, is designated as the organization or agency to be named in the notice to defend from which legal help can be obtained.

(d) The required Notice to Defend and the Notice Concerning Mediation shall be in substantially the following form:

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CIVIL ACTION - LAW

Plaintiff		:	No.
	v.	:
		:
: Defendant		:

N O T I C E

YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this complaint and notice are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the court without further notice for any money claimed in the complaint or for any other claim or relief requested by the plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW. THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE.

PENNSYLVANIA BAR ASSOCIATION LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE

100 South Street, P.O. Box 186

Harrisburg, PA 17108

Telephone: 1-800-692-7375

NOTICE CONCERNING MEDIATION OF ACTIONSPENDING BEFORE THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

The Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County believe that mediation of lawsuits is a very important component of dispute resolution. Virtually all lawsuits can benefit in some manner from mediation.

The Court has adopted Schuylkill County Local Rule 1001 to encourage the use of mediation. This early alert enables litigants to determine the best time during the life of their lawsuit for a mediation session. The intent of this early alert is to help the parties act upon the requirement to consider good faith mediation at the optimal time.

The Schuylkill County Bar Association provides mediation services and can be reached at (570) 628-1235.

Sch. Cnty. Pa. 1018.1

Adopted 12/29/2016; Effective 2/21/2017; amended effective 3/1/2021; revised 2/23/2022; amended effective 2/1/2024.