Rule 3.1 - PETITIONS GENERALLY(a) The original of all motions, petitions, and other pleadings shall be filed in the office of the Clerk who shall assign a docket number to each new proceeding, which number shall be included in all subsequent pleadings filed. The Clerk shall promptly transmit the pleadings to the Deputy Court Administrator - Orphans' Court for assignment to a Judge for disposition.(b) The record papers in the office of the Clerk shall be in the custody of said official, who shall be responsible for their safekeeping. No person, other than the Clerk, or his duly authorized clerks shall have access to the files in which such record papers are kept. No one is authorized to remove records from the office of the Clerk. It is the duty of the Clerk to insure full compliance with this rule. The record papers in any proceeding may be examined and copied by any interested parties in the office of the Clerk. While the record papers in any case may be photocopied, the file copy of testimony may not be photocopied.(c) Any party or his attorney may request oral argument upon a motion or issue involved in any controversial proceeding and the Court shall have the right to require oral argument. Unless oral argument is requested or specifically directed, the Court will decide the issues on briefs as submitted, per the briefing schedule set by the Court.Amended effective 3/1/2021; amended effective 1/1/2024.