Pennsylvania Court Exhibit Requirements
A comprehensive guide to preparing exhibits for Pennsylvania courts under Pa.R.C.P. 212.2, including PACFile requirements, Philadelphia Civil Rule *223.1, and county-specific rules.
- Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 212.2 requires parties to file a pre-trial statement listing every exhibit they intend to use at trial, due 60 to 90 days after the notice of trial.
- Plaintiffs mark exhibits P-1, P-2, P-3; defendants mark exhibits D-1, D-2, D-3; and joint exhibits use J-1, J-2 in Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas.
- Philadelphia Civil Rule *223.1 imposes the strictest e-filing requirements in Pennsylvania: a 5 MB per-document cap and an exact 8½-inch document width that is strictly enforced.
- Most non-Philadelphia counties allow up to 10 MB per document on PACFile, while Philadelphia is limited to 5 MB.
- Allegheny County Local Rule 205.2(a) governs electronic filing for the Pittsburgh area and follows the standard Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 pre-trial statement procedure.
- PACFile copies do not constitute originals in Pennsylvania, so parties must still maintain the original exhibits and produce them at trial when requested.
- Exhibits omitted from a Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 pre-trial statement may be excluded at trial.
- Pennsylvania has 60 judicial districts, each with its own local rules supplementing Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 and PACFile procedures.
Quick Reference
Updated 2026-01-3150 MB Federal / Varies by county (5 MB Philadelphia)
P-1, P-2, P-3...
D-1, D-2, D-3...
60-90 days after trial notice
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
Pre-trial statement requirements. List all exhibits 60-90 days after trial notice.
Philadelphia Rules
Civil Rule *223.1
Strictest in PA: 5 MB limit, 8½ inches exact width. Commerce Program has additional requirements.
E-Filing System
5-10 MB per document (varies by county). Text-searchable PDF preferred. Copies ≠ originals.
Allegheny County
Local Rule 205.2(a)
Pittsburgh-area e-filing. Pre-trial statements per Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 with typical 10 MB limits.
PACFile Copies Do NOT Constitute Originals
Unlike some other e-filing systems, PACFile copies are not considered originals. Courts may require original documents for trial despite e-filing. Maintain original exhibits for production at trial when requested by the court or opposing counsel.
Overview
Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas operate in 60 judicial districts with varying local rules. Exhibit requirements are governed by Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 for pre-trial statements, supplemented by county-specific rules. Philadelphia and Allegheny County have the largest caseloads with specialized divisions.
Key principle: Philadelphia has the strictest requirements in Pennsylvania with 5 MB file limits and exact 8½ inch width specifications. Always check your specific county's local rules before filing.
Pennsylvania Exhibit Numbering Conventions
Standard Pennsylvania Conventions
Plaintiff Exhibits
- P-1, P-2, P-3... (standard)
- Include case number
- Sequential numbering
Defendant Exhibits
- D-1, D-2, D-3... (standard)
- Include case number
- Sequential numbering
Joint Exhibits
- J-1, J-2, J-3...
- Agreed upon exhibits
- Reduces duplications
County-Specific Requirements
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Civil Rule *223.1 requires true and correct copies presented to Trial Judge and all counsel when marked. Rule *5101 requires certification of compliance. 5 MB limit per file, exactly 8.5 inches width.
Philadelphia Civil Rule *223.1, *5101Allegheny County
Plaintiffs use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3), defendants use letters (A, B, C). Tabbed exhibit binders required with copies to witness, opposing counsel, and court.
Allegheny County Local Rule 205.2(a)Montgomery County
Civil Division has established exhibit exchange procedures and pre-trial requirements.
Philadelphia Civil Rule *223.1
Philadelphia Has Strictest Requirements in Pennsylvania
- 5 MB maximum file size - smaller than most counties
- 8½ inches exact width - strictly enforced
- Commerce Program has additional case management requirements
- Complex Litigation Center may require special procedures
Common PACFile Issues
Philadelphia: File Size Exceeds 5 MB
Solution: Philadelphia has the strictest limit at 5 MB. Split large exhibits into parts. Label clearly (e.g., "Exhibit P-5, Part 1 of 3").
Philadelphia: Document Width Not 8½ Inches
Solution: Philadelphia requires exact 8½ inch width. Ensure PDFs are properly formatted before uploading. Legal-size documents must be converted or filed separately.
Missing Pre-Trial Statement Exhibit List
Solution: Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 requires all exhibits listed in pre-trial statement 60-90 days after trial notice. Unlisted exhibits may be excluded at trial.
Original Not Available at Trial
Solution: PACFile copies are NOT originals. Maintain original documents and bring them to trial. Courts may require original production despite e-filing.
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Pennsylvania Requirements
Time Savings
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Cost Effective
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PACFile Ready
P-1/D-1/J-1 formatting. Export individual files for county size limits.
ExhibitPrep Configuration for Pennsylvania Courts
Recommended Settings
Exhibit Format
Use "P-[number]" for plaintiff, "D-[number]" for defendant, "J-[number]" for joint (e.g., "P-1", "D-1", "J-1"). Include case number when required.
Stamp Position
Bottom-right corner is standard. Ensure stamps don't obscure document content and stay within 8½ inch width for Philadelphia.
Export Format
Individual files recommended. Philadelphia: under 5 MB. Other counties: under 10 MB. Split larger exhibits into clearly labeled parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 pre-trial statement requirements?
Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 requires parties to file pre-trial statements listing all exhibits to be used at trial. Statements must be filed 60-90 days after the notice of trial, depending on the county. Failure to list exhibits may result in exclusion at trial.
What is the PACFile size limit for exhibits?
PACFile limits vary by county. Philadelphia is the strictest at 5 MB per document with 8½ inch exact width requirement. Most other counties allow up to 10 MB. For larger exhibits, split into multiple parts with clear labeling.
What are Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas exhibit requirements?
Philadelphia has the most detailed requirements under Civil Rule *223.1. The 5 MB file limit and 8½ inch exact width are strictly enforced. The Commerce Program and Complex Litigation Center may have additional case management requirements.
What are Allegheny County exhibit requirements?
Allegheny County Local Rule 205.2(a) governs electronic filing. Pittsburgh-area cases follow these specifications with typical 10 MB limits. Pre-trial statements must list all exhibits per Pa.R.C.P. 212.2.
Do PACFile copies constitute originals in Pennsylvania?
No. PACFile copies do not constitute originals. Courts may require original documents for trial despite e-filing. Maintain original exhibits for production at trial when requested by the court or opposing counsel.
What exhibit numbering format does Pennsylvania use?
Pennsylvania uses P-1, P-2, P-3 for plaintiff exhibits and D-1, D-2, D-3 for defendant exhibits. Joint exhibits use J-1, J-2 format. Include the case number on all exhibits as required by local rules.
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