Rule 239.3.Motions. Local Rules 208.2(c), 208.2(d), 208.2(e), 208.3(a) and 208.3(b).

Adopted October 24, 2003 · Last amended October 15, 2004 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 239.3 lets a court add local requirements to motion practice — a brief statement of authority, a certification for uncontested motions, and a meet-and-confer certification for discovery motions — and requires every court to promulgate Local Rule 208.3(a) describing its motion procedure.

Full Text of Rule 239.3

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

(a) A court may impose a requirement that a motion include a brief statement of the applicable authority. A court which has imposed this requirement must promulgate a local rule, numbered Local Rule 208.2(c), stating the requirement.

(b) A court may impose a certification requirement for motions that are presented as uncontested. A court which imposes such a certification requirement must promulgate a local rule, numbered Local Rule 208.2(d), stating the requirement.

(c) A court may require any motion relating to discovery to include a certification signed by counsel for the moving party certifying that counsel has conferred or attempted to confer with all interested parties in order to resolve the matter without court action. A court which requires such a certification must promulgate a local rule, numbered Local Rule 208.2(e), stating the requirement.

(d) Every court shall promulgate a local rule, numbered Local Rule 208.3(a), which describes the court’s motion procedure under Rule 208.3(a). Local Rule 208.3(a)

(1) shall describe the manner in which

(i) motions are scheduled, argued and decided and

(ii) emergency motions are scheduled, argued, and decided if they are governed by a different procedure, and

(2) may impose requirements upon a party to

(i) transmit the original and/or copies of the motion and related legal papers to a judge or other court personnel; and

(ii) notify other parties of the time, date and location of a court proceeding.

(e) If, pursuant to Rule 208.3(b), a court has imposed requirements for the filing of a response, a brief or both with respect to designated motions, the court shall promulgate a local rule, numbered Local Rule 208.3(b), which lists those motions and requirements and which describes the court’s motion practice under Rule 208. 3(b). Local Rule 208.3(b) shall conform to the requirements of subdivision (d) of this rule and may provide that the motion shall be treated as uncontested if a response is not filed.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule channels local motion requirements into named local rules. A court may require that a motion include a brief statement of the applicable authority, a certification when a motion is presented as uncontested, and, for discovery motions, a certification that counsel has conferred or tried to confer with the other side — each only if the court promulgates the corresponding local rule.

One local rule is mandatory. Every court must promulgate Local Rule 208.3(a) describing how motions, including emergency motions, are scheduled, argued, and decided, and it may set requirements for transmitting papers to the court and notifying other parties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do local rules affect how I file a motion?

Yes. A court may require a brief statement of authority, an uncontested-motion certification, or a discovery meet-and-confer certification, and every court must adopt Local Rule 208.3(a) describing its motion procedure.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 239.3 adopted October 24, 2003, effective 9 months after the date of the Order, 33 Pa.B 5506; amended October 15, 2004, effective immediately, 34 Pa. B. 5889. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (301329) to (301330).

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: local rule 208.3(a)motion local rulesmeet and conferdiscovery certification