Rule 239.9.Electronic Filing. Local Rule 205.4.

Adopted November 14, 2007 · Last amended June 28, 2016 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 239.9 requires a court that permits or requires electronic filing to promulgate a local rule designated Local Rule 205.4 that describes its e-filing system, including the specific subdivisions on format, access, payment, and procedure that Rule 205.4 requires.

Full Text of Rule 239.9

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(a) If a court permits or requires the electronic filing of legal papers with the prothonotary, the court must promulgate a local rule designated Local Rule 205.4 which sets forth in detail the practice and procedure to file a legal paper electronically and includes the matters set forth in this rule.

(b) Local Rule 205.4 shall include the following subdivisions as required by Pa.R.C.P. No. 205.4:

(1) subdivision (a)(1) stating whether the electronic filing system is per-missive or mandatory and specifying the actions and proceedings and the legal papers subject to the rule,

(2) subdivision (b)(1) setting forth one or more formats in which legal papers shall be submitted to the prothonotary for filing. The formats shall include portable document format (pdf) and such other electronic format, if any, that the court may designate,

(3) subdivision (c)(2) providing a method of access to the electronic filing website for persons who are not attorneys,

(4) subdivision (d)(1) listing the credit and debit cards approved by the court or the prothonotary, and stating whether the filing fee may be paid by depositing, in advance, sufficient funds with the prothonotary,

(5) subdivision (d)(3) providing the manner of payment when the court has designated a third party to operate the electronic filing system, and

(6) subdivision (f) providing the practice and procedure to govern the matters provided for in Rule 205.4(f).

(c) Local Rule 205.4 may contain such additional subdivisions as the court deems necessary to provide a full and complete description of the electronic filing system.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule governs how a county adopts electronic filing. A court that permits or requires e-filing must promulgate a local rule designated Local Rule 205.4 setting out its electronic filing system.

The local rule must include the specific subdivisions Rule 205.4 lists — whether e-filing is permissive or mandatory and the papers covered, the accepted formats (including pdf), website access for non-attorneys, approved payment methods, and the practice and procedure for the system — and may add subdivisions for a complete description.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must a county's e-filing local rule contain?

It must be designated Local Rule 205.4 and include the subdivisions Rule 205.4 requires: whether e-filing is permissive or mandatory and the papers covered, accepted formats, website access for non-attorneys, payment methods, and the system's practice and procedure.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 239.9 adopted November 14, 2007, effective December 14, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 6258; amended June 28, 2016, effective August 1, 2016, 46 Pa.B. 3797. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (354878) and (360813).

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 205.4electronic filing local rulee-filing adoption