COVID-19 Resource Center

---

Information about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Please CLICK HERE to view the county's robust and informative website regarding COVID-19.

---

Montgomery Bar Association Updates

NEW: Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Announces Plans for Resumption of Jury Trials and Equitable Distribution Hearings. Please watch the videos below for more information.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued a Court Order extending the six (6) hour limitation on distance learning credits for 2021 compliance deadlines. Attorneys in PA may now complete all 12 hours of their CLE requirements through approved distance learning activities. MBA offers both Live CLE Webinars and pre-recorded Online CLE seminars - all featuring local experts on a variety of legal topics.

The MBA Building is open for members only. Staff is in the building, but the doors are locked so please ring the bell and a staff member will let you in. If you need to access the building for any purpose, please contact MBA Executive Director Denise Vicario at 610-994-3652 or denise@montgomerybar.org.

Meetings and events will continue to be held virtually via Zoom. Please contact Megan Ware at megan@montgomerybar.org or 610-279-9660, ext. 200 to schedule.

Members: Committee & Section Listservs are a great resource to share pertinent updates. Please verify information before sending and keep it relevant to legal practice.

We strongly encourage any payment for Law Reporter advertising be paid via credit card. Please contact Jessica Gambone at jessica@montgomerybar.org or by phone at 610-994-3661.

CLICK HERE to visit the COVID-19 Resource Center from our friends at USI Affinity / My Benefit Advisor which includes HR, compliance, insurance company updates, SBA information, and return to work guidance.

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania have provided an informative compendium of resources for the legal profession during the COVID-19 pandemic (updated January 25, 2021). CLICK HERE to view.

---

Court Procedure Updates

Montgomery County Court and Department operations will be available on a limited basis beginning Wednesday, March 18th.  For more information, visit: www.montcopa.org.

As the situation develops rapidly, we will post the most current orders and procedural changes as they pertain to Montgomery County, as well as county, state, and federal courts. If you have an update that you would like to share with membership, please email jack@montgomerybar.org.

Latest updates are highlighted.

NEW:

NEW: Expungement Protocol starting 03/01/2021

Summary Appeals Trials Protocol starting 03/01/2021

Amended Inclement Weather Policy includes policy on Virtual Hearings (12/15/2020)

Memo from President Judge Del Ricci RE: Criminal Bench Trial Program (12/9/2020)

Judicial Emergency Order 2020-00001/29 MM 2020- (Updated 11/24/2020)

NOTICE TO THE BAR - Re: Local Rule 200 - (Updated 11/24/2020)

NEW: Updated Order of the Secretary of the PA Department of Health Requiring Universal Face Coverings - (Effective 11/18/2020)

NEW: Order of the Secretary of the PA Department of Health for Mitigation Relating to Travel - (Effective 11/20/2020)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

Court Operations

• Phase III Information Session Video Recording (conducted via Zoom on September 24, 2020)
• Phase III Reopening Statement (effective 10/05/2020)

General and Divisional Protocols

• Civil Division Bench Trial Protocol (effective 10/13/2020)
• Criminal Division Bench Trial Protocol (effective 10/13/2020)
• Tax Assessment Appeal Protocol (effective 10/05/2020)

Montgomery County Correctional Facility – Reinstatement of Attorney Visiting Privileges & Visitor Restrictions as of July 13, 2020

From AOPC- Order of the Secretary of Health Requiring Universal Face Coverings – July 7, 2020

38th Judicial District - Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County Phase II Operations Plan to Begin on July 20, 2020

Order Amending Judicial Emergency Order of March 16, 2020 (Entered May 26, 2020)

Protocols For Reopening Court (General and Divisional)

Court Reopening Information Session - Orphans' & Juvenile Divisions (May 22, 2020)

Court Reopening Information Session - Family Division (May 22, 2020)

Court Reopening Information Session - Civil Division (May 22, 2020)

Court Reopening Information Session - Criminal Division (May 22, 2020)

Judicial Emergency Order - May 5, 2020

Declaration Extending Judicial Emergency Order to May 31, 2020 (dated April 14, 2020)

Case Conference Protocol - April 8, 2020

Case Conference Request Form - April 8, 2020

Prothonotary's Office Still Open for Protection from Abuse Orders

Order postponing the May 27, 2020 Sheriff's Sale to July 29, 2020 (dated April 21, 2020)

Montgomery County Remote Probate and Marriage Licensing Procedure (dated April 20, 2020)

Pennsylvania Allows Remote Notarization of Some Documents During Coronavirus Emergency (dated April 3, 2020)

Declaration Extending Judicial Emergency Orders to April 30, 2020 (dated March 31, 2020)

Update from the MBA Probate & Tax Section

Preliminary Hearings for Incarcerated Defendants Protocol- March 20, 2020

By Video Protocol - MDJ's Scopia IDs - How to install Scopia Client - How to install Scopia Phone/Tablets Client -

Judicial Emergency Order - March 19, 2020

Judicial Emergency Order - March 18, 2020

Judicial Emergency Order - March 17, 2020

Process for Filing Emergency Petitions/Motions During the Public Health Emergency - March 17, 2020

List of Emergency Matters for the Court of Common Pleas During the Public Health Emergency - March 17, 2020   

Judicial Emergency Order - March 16, 2020

Domestic Relations - Application for Telephone Conference

Orphans Court Administrative Order - March 12, 2020

Prothonotary Update - March 12, 2020

Montgomery County Correctional Facility - Temporary Visitor Restriction

Prison Video Visitation Instructions

COMMONWEALTH OF PA - OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Order of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for Staying the Notice Requirements for Certain Actions Related to the Dispossession of Property - May 7, 2020

UPDATED Industry Operation Guidance - Including Update for Legal Services

Regarding the Closure of All Businesses That Are Not Life Sustaining - March 19, 2020

Life Sustaining Business List- March 19, 2020

 

PENNSYLVANIA JUDICIARY AND OTHER COUNTY COURTS  

Emergency Order of Statewide Judicial Administration Applicable from May 1, 2020 through June 1, 2020 - Dated April 28, 2020

Order Permitting Limited Practice by Persons Unable to Sit for July 2020 Pennsylvania Bar Examination Because of COVID-19

CLICK HERE to view a comprehensive list of updates and orders from the PA Supreme Court, Superior Court, Commonwealth and individual counties.

 

PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT

Second Supplemental Order (Courts Closed Through April 30, 2020) - Issued April 1, 2020

Order Suspending/Modifying Portions of Rules 205 and 213 of the Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rules - Issued March 27, 2020

Order Regarding Alternative Filing Procedure for Children's Fast Track Appeals - Issued March 27, 2020

Amended Order - March 24, 2020

Administrative Order - March 18, 2020

 

PENNSYLVANIA SUPERIOR COURT

Statewide Judicial Emergency Aministrative Order - March 17, 2020

 

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS - THIRD CIRCUIT

Notice Regarding Operations to Address to COVID-19 Pandemic

 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT - EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Standing Order - Extension of Adjustments to Court Operations Due to the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 - April 10, 2020

Standing Order - Expanded Use of Electronic Signatures Due to the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 - April 15, 2020

Standing Order - Interim Payments to CJA Panel Attorneys and Service Providers - April 13, 2020

Order - Temporary Closing of the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse - March 25, 2020

Additional Adjustments to Court Proceedings Due to the Exigent Circumstances Created by COVID-19 - March 18, 2020

Courthouse Access During the Covid-19 Outbreak - March 17, 2020

Electronic Filing of Complaints in Civil Cases - March 17, 2020

Standing Order - Temporary Continuance of Civil and Criminal Jury Trials - March 13, 2020

 

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT

General Order Extending Certain Time Deadlines - March 18, 2020

Important Notice from the United State Trustee for Regions 3 and 9 Regarding 341 Meetings

Chapter 13 Trustee (William C. Miller) - Video Protocol

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

How Tenants Can Appeal Evictions (through the Montgomery County Prothonotary's Office)

Back to Work: Navigating the New Normal During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Presentation by Michael J. Torchia, Esq.

Pennsylvania Bar Association Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility - Formal Opinion 2020-300 - Ethical Obligations for Lawyers Working Remotely (April 10, 2020)

Economic Impact Payment Information (IRS)

Paycheck Protection Program Fact Sheet (U.S. Dept. of the Treasury)

Federal Cares Act - Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for Pennsylvanians

---