Rule 208.3.Alternative Procedures.

Adopted October 24, 2003 · Last amended June 28, 2016 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 208.3 provides that a court initially considers a motion without written responses or briefs and may not grant relief unless the motion is uncontested or the other parties get an argument, while letting a court require responses or briefs for listed motions by local rule numbered 208.3(b).

Full Text of Rule 208.3

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) Except as otherwise provided by subdivision (b), the court shall initially consider a motion without written responses or briefs. For a motion governed by this subdivision, the court may not enter an order that grants relief to the moving party unless the motion is presented as uncontested or the other parties to the proceeding are given an opportunity for an argument.

(b) A court, by local rule, numbered Local Rule 208.3(b), may impose requirements with respect to motions listed in the rule for the filing of a response, a brief or both. Where a response is required, any party opposing a motion governed by Local Rule 208.3(b) shall file the response within twenty days after service of the motion, unless the time for filing the response is modified by court order or enlarged by local rule.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule sets the default tempo for deciding motions. The court initially considers a motion without written responses or briefs, and it may not enter an order granting the moving party relief unless the motion is presented as uncontested or the other parties are given an opportunity to be heard in argument.

Counties can opt for a fuller process. By local rule, numbered Local Rule 208.3(b), a court may require a response, a brief, or both for the motions the local rule lists. Where a response is required, an opposing party files it within twenty days after service of the motion, unless a court order or local rule changes that time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to file a written response to every motion?

Not by default. The court initially considers a motion without written responses or briefs. A response or brief is required only where a local rule numbered 208.3(b) calls for one.

Can the court grant a motion without hearing from me?

Only if the motion is presented as uncontested. Otherwise, the court may not grant relief to the moving party without giving the other parties an opportunity for argument.

Official Note

Official Note: Rule 208.3(a) does not prevent a court from denying the moving party’s request for relief without the opportunity for an argument where the motion is procedurally defective, is untimely filed or fails to set forth adequate grounds for relief. Parties may choose to submit responses and briefs at the time of the presentation, provided that copies have been served on every other party. However, parties are not required to do so. Rule 239.3(d) requires every court to promulgate Local Rule 208.3(a) describing the local court procedure governing motions under this rule.

Official Note: Motions are governed by the procedure in subdivision (a) unless the court by local rule designates particular types of motions to be governed by the procedure in subdivision (b). The twenty-day response period may be extended or reduced by special order of court. A local rule may only extend the time period. A response shall be filed by any party opposing a motion governed by subdivision (b) even if there are no contested issues of fact because the response is the opposing party’s method of indicating its opposition. Rule 208.3(b) authorizes each court of common pleas to impose requirements of responses and briefs with respect to designated motions. Rule 239.3(e) requires each court which has imposed such requirements to promulgate a local rule, numbered Local Rule 208.3(b), listing the motions and the requirements. Rule 239.3(e) also provides that Local Rule 208.3(b) must describe the local court procedure governing motions under subdivision (b) and may allow the court to treat the motion as uncontested if a response is not filed.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 208.3 adopted October 24, 2003, effective 9 months after the date of the Order, 33 Pa.B. 5506; amended November 2, 2005, effective immediately, 35 Pa.B. 6318; amended June 28, 2016, effective August 1, 2016, 46 Pa.B. 3797. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (369609) to (369610).

Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: alternative procedures motionlocal rule 208.3(b)response to motionmotion briefing