Court Rules

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Sealing & Redaction Procedures

9 rules from official source documents

4 of 9 checked against the court's document. Each rule says how far it was checked. A value with a question mark is not in the court's wording on its card.

Procedures for filing sealed or redacted documents, including required motions and formats. This page is scoped to Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.

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

Civil cases

When an exhibit offered into evidence contains confidential information or documents, the proponent must file a copy of the exhibit and a required certification with the Department of Court Records.

(d) Exhibits Under Seal. If an exhibit offered into evidence contains confidential information or confidential documents as defined by the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (“Policy”), the proponent shall file a copy of the exhibit and a certification prepared in compliance with the Policy, and the Department of Court Records requirement, with the Department of Court Records.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Civil cases

If an exhibit contains confidential information or confidential documents under the Pennsylvania policy, the proponent must file a copy and a compliant certification with the Department of Court Records.

(d) Exhibits Under Seal. If an exhibit offered into evidence contains confidential information or confidential documents as defined by the Case Records Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (“Policy”), the proponent shall file a copy of the exhibit and a certification prepared in compliance with the Policy, and the Department of Court Records requirement, with the Department of Court Records.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Civil cases

An exhibit sealed by the court during the proceedings is not accessible to the public.

1. Any exhibit sealed by the court during the court proceeding(s) shall not be accessible to the public.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

All filings and proceedings must comply with the Case Records Public Access Policy and confidentiality requirements applicable to minors.

All filings and proceedings must comply with the Case Records Public Access Policy and confidentiality requirements for minors.

Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor

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

Civil cases

The arbitrators shall not open said envelope until they have reached their basic award.

Summary: The arbitrators may not open the confidential settlement-offer envelope until reaching the basic award.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

Civil cases

If the parties wish to have the Petition and Order sealed, they must file a Motion to Seal and present the same to Judge Connelly in accordance with these Standard Operating Procedures – these motions should not be presented to General Motions.

Summary: A request to seal a petition and order requires a Motion to Seal presented to Judge Connelly rather than General Motions.

Judge Patrick M. Connelly

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

Civil cases

When submitting the Motion to Seal to the Court, you must send the Petition and Proposed Order to Chambers via the aforementioned email address for review contemporaneous with the Motion to Seal.

Summary: The petition and proposed order must be sent to Chambers for review at the same time as the Motion to Seal.

Judge Patrick M. Connelly

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

Civil cases

If Petitioner’s safety would be in jeopardy by reason of the publication of the name change, Petitioner may:

Summary: A petitioner whose safety would be endangered by publication may seek an exception to the publication or request sealing of the record.

Court-level rulesOfficial source

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

The Court will seal orders when appropriate.

Summary: The court will seal an SIJ order when appropriate.

Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor
Common questions about Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas sealing & redaction procedures

How does Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas handle sealed or redacted filings?

Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. When an exhibit offered into evidence contains confidential information or documents, the proponent must file a copy of the exhibit and a required certification with the Department of Court Records.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 3, section Rule 5103.1 Civil Division Custody of Exhibits. Special Provisions

Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor's rules set procedures for sealed or redacted filings. All filings and proceedings must comply with the Case Records Public Access Policy and confidentiality requirements applicable to minors.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 40, section PART 17. SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE (SIJ) PROCEDURES

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Patrick M. Connelly. A request to seal a petition and order requires a Motion to Seal presented to Judge Connelly rather than General Motions. Machine summary, not yet verified; check the linked order.

View ruleOfficial source Source: page 5, section PETITIONS FOR SETTLEMENT APPROVAL

6 more rules answer this question in the list above.