Court Rules
Judge

Judge Michael E. McCarthy

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Pretrial StatementCourt-wide
200 wds
BriefCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

Court-wide

Exhibits

Court-wide

Motion

Court-wide

Opposition Brief

Court-wide
  • At Least 7 Days Prior To Argument

Communication

Email

Clerk

charlene.baker@alleghenycourts.us
Scheduling
Email
Court-wide

Intake Unit

hchelpdesk@alleghenycourts.us
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide

Clerk

412-350-4462
Phone
Court-wide

Chambers

412.350.5400
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Email
Court-wide

Chambers

Scheduling
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingProposed OrdersLettersSettlement

Document Format Requirements2 rules

Formatting

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory

All documents must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

Please send all documents in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

Required Format

PDF

26 03 05-McCarthy-SOP · p. 1|SecStandard Judicial Operating Procedures
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important

Proposed orders should be attached separately in editable Microsoft Word format.

Proposed orders should be attached separately in Microsoft Word format to allow editing by the Court.

Required Format

DOCX

26 03 05-McCarthy-SOP · p. 1|SecStandard Judicial Operating Procedures

Document Filing Requirements2 rules

Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important

Every document should include the attorney's contact information and a current email address.

All documents should include attorney contact information including a current email address.

Document Type

Document

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
26 03 05-McCarthy-SOP · p. 1|SecStandard Judicial Operating Procedures
Filing Requirements

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?

In the event that the case settles before the conciliation date, please forward a letter confirming that fact to my chambers via mail or email my staff at Charlene.Baker@alleghenycourts.us.

Summary: If the case settles before conciliation, parties are asked to send chambers a settlement-confirmation letter by mail.

Document Type

Settlement Confirmation Letter

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
26 03 05-McCarthy-SOP · p. 2|SecSUPPLEMENTAL CONCILIATION RULES for SENIOR JUDGE MICHAEL E. McCARTHY

Filing & Service rules

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Each party must timely file its Pre-Trial Statement with the Department of Court Records in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local rules.

All parties shall timely file and serve their respective Pre-Trial Statements with the Department of Court Records in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local rules of Court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 2 | SUPPLEMENTAL CONCILIATION RULES for SENIOR JUDGE MICHAEL E. McCARTHY

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Each party must timely serve its Pre-Trial Statement in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local court rules.

All parties shall timely file and serve their respective Pre-Trial Statements with the Department of Court Records in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local rules of Court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 2 | SUPPLEMENTAL CONCILIATION RULES for SENIOR JUDGE MICHAEL E. McCARTHY

Chambers Communication Rules

All parties must be copied on Court email communications unless the Court directs otherwise.

When communicating with the Court via email, ALL parties must be included unless directed otherwise.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Standard Judicial Operating Procedures

Scheduling concerns or clarification requests should be emailed to Charlene Baker.

If a party has concerns or needs clarification about scheduling in their case, they should contact Charlene Baker at charlene.baker@alleghenycourts.us or 412-350-5545.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | Standard Judicial Operating Procedures

If the case settles before conciliation, parties are asked to send staff a settlement-confirmation letter by email.

In the event that the case settles before the conciliation date, please forward a letter confirming that fact to my chambers via mail or email my staff at Charlene.Baker@alleghenycourts.us.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 2 | SUPPLEMENTAL CONCILIATION RULES for SENIOR JUDGE MICHAEL E. McCARTHY

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 499 rules apply across Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 193
  • Applies to
    Index of exhibits

    Custodians filing exhibits must include an index identifying each exhibit by the proponent’s number or letter, whether admitted or rejected, and by description or identification.

  • Applies to
    Cover sheet

    The cover sheet must contain the completed statement identifying the party on whose behalf the filing is made and that party's relationship to the case.

  • Applies to
    Petition for conservator
    Must include
    proposed order

    A petition for appointment of a conservator must include a proposed order of court.

Service

All 118
  • Service
    Publication

    When notice must be published in a newspaper, an affidavit by the owner, publisher, or designated agent proving publication must be filed before entry of a final order, decree, or judgment.

  • Service
    Publication

    All newspaper-advertised legal notices must also be published in the Pittsburgh Legal Journal.

  • Service
    Electronic service to all parties

    After an accepted electronic filing, the DCR automatically notifies and may electronically serve prior electronic filers with verified email addresses, while the filing party must serve everyone else as required by the rules.

Filing Timing

All 71
  • Deadline
    5 business days

    After court proceedings conclude, the custodian must file documentary exhibits and specified photographs with the Department of Court Records within five business days unless the court directs otherwise.

  • The DCR electronic filing system generates a printable acknowledgement and sends an initial email confirming receipt and the receipt date and time.

  • After processing an electronic filing, the DCR emails the filing party the acceptance date and time or the reasons for non-acceptance.

E-Filing

All 36

  • Beginning November 13, 2023, all legal papers must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system unless an exception or court order applies.

  • All legal papers and exhibits must be filed through the DCR electronic filing system available on the DCR website.

  • Applies to
    Petition to strike or open default judgment

    All petitions to strike or open a default judgment or judgment of non-pros must be filed electronically under Local Rule 205.4.

More categories

View all Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas rules
About Judge Michael E. McCarthy

**Michael E. McCarthy** is listed as a current judicial officer of the [Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Civil Division](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/civil/judicial-chambers-operating-procedures/). The court's chambers directory records this officer as Civil Division: Senior Judge.

**Current assignment** **Division or department:** Civil Division: Senior Judge **Chambers:** 706 City-County Building **Phone:** 412.350.5545 **Official sources** - [Judicial directory and chambers operating procedures](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/civil/judicial-chambers-operating-procedures/) - [Published chambers operating procedures](https://www.alleghenycourts.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/26.03.05-McCarthy-SOP.pdf)

Common questions about Judge Michael E. McCarthy's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Michael E. McCarthy?

Judge Michael E. McCarthy's formatting rule includes file format PDF. All documents must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standard Judicial Operating Procedures

What must be included with document filings before Judge Michael E. McCarthy?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Every document should include the attorney's contact information and a current email address.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standard Judicial Operating Procedures

What must be included with settlement confirmation letter filings before Judge Michael E. McCarthy?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. If the case settles before conciliation, parties are asked to send chambers a settlement-confirmation letter by mail.

View ruleSource: page 2, section SUPPLEMENTAL CONCILIATION RULES for SENIOR JUDGE MICHAEL E. McCARTHY

How may parties contact Judge Michael E. McCarthy's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications. All parties must be copied on Court email communications unless the Court directs otherwise.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Standard Judicial Operating Procedures

What filing deadlines apply to pretrial statement filings before Judge Michael E. McCarthy?

Each party must timely file its Pre-Trial Statement with the Department of Court Records in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local rules.

View ruleSource: page 2, section SUPPLEMENTAL CONCILIATION RULES for SENIOR JUDGE MICHAEL E. McCARTHY

What rule applies to service for pretrial statement before Judge Michael E. McCarthy?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Each party must timely serve its Pre-Trial Statement in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local court rules.

View ruleSource: page 2, section SUPPLEMENTAL CONCILIATION RULES for SENIOR JUDGE MICHAEL E. McCARTHY
Complete rules summary for Judge Michael E. McCarthy

All parties must be copied on Court email communications unless the Court directs otherwise.

All documents must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word format.

Proposed orders should be attached separately in editable Microsoft Word format.

Every document should include the attorney's contact information and a current email address.

Scheduling concerns or clarification requests should be emailed to Charlene Baker.

Each party must timely file its Pre-Trial Statement with the Department of Court Records in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local rules.

Each party must timely serve its Pre-Trial Statement in compliance with Pa.R.C.P. 212 and local court rules.

If the case settles before conciliation, parties are asked to send chambers a settlement-confirmation letter by mail.

If the case settles before conciliation, parties are asked to send staff a settlement-confirmation letter by email.

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