Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

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

Civil cases

The parties must meet and confer about resolving motions in limine before presenting them to the Court.

The parties shall meet and confer regarding resolution of any Motions in Limine prior to presentation to the Court.

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

Oral argument is the default option for motions, and the judge must grant oral argument to any requesting party.

As to Oral Argument, please note that Oral Argument is the “default” option for all Motions. Judge Wagner is required to give anyone who wants it Oral Argument.

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

Further replies or responses are not permitted after a motion and response are submitted unless the court grants permission.

Once a Motion and a Response are submitted, further Replies/Responses are not welcome unless permission is granted by the Court.

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

Civil cases

The parties must meet and confer about resolving any motion in limine before presenting it to the Court.

The parties shall also meet and confer regarding resolution of any Motions in Limine prior to presentation to the Court.

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

A party may request a case-management or status conference by motion, and the parties must confer about a proposed schedule before any such conference.

However, any party may file a motion requesting a case management or status conference. The parties shall confer about a proposed case management schedule prior to any conference.

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

Judge McGinley generally decides land-use appeal issues on the filed record and briefs, does not accept additional evidence, and does not schedule oral argument as a matter of course.

Issues will be decided on the filed record and briefs. No additional evidence is accepted as a general rule. Judge McGinley will not schedule oral argument as a matter of course.

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

If there is no written response in opposition filed, then there will be no oral argument or oral presentation of the Motion.

Summary: No oral argument or oral presentation will occur if no written opposition response has been filed by the deadline.

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

The parties shall also meet and confer regarding resolution of any Motions in Limine prior to presentation to the Court.

Summary: The parties must meet and confer about resolving each motion in limine before presenting it to the Court.

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

For cases assigned to Judge McGinley, an initial remote conference on each land use appeal will be scheduled. Following conference, a case management/briefing schedule will issue.

Summary: An initial remote conference will be scheduled for each Judge McGinley land-use appeal, followed by issuance of a case-management and briefing schedule.

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

Briefs will be due simultaneously absent unique circumstances requiring deviation from this practice.

Summary: Land-use appeal briefs are due simultaneously unless unique circumstances require a deviation.