- Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 (Pa.R.C.P. 212.2…) (opens in a new tab)
Pre-trial statements must contain list of all exhibits intended for trial. Exhibits listed in the pre-trial statement, or copies, must be made available by the party filing the statement.
Source links open in a new tab.
Pennsylvania Court Exhibit Requirements
A guide to preparing exhibits for Pennsylvania courts, including the Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 pre-trial exhibit list, including Philadelphia Civil Rule *204.1 e-filing format requirements and county-specific rules.
Applying P-1/D-1 labels to a 40-exhibit set by hand means typing every label and checking the sequence by eye. ExhibitPrep stamps the whole set in minutes for review against Pa.R.C.P. 212.2, local rules, and the case order.
Opens the tool set up for Pennsylvania — plaintiff: Prefix: "P-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "D-", Numbers starting at 1.
- Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 212.2 requires a pre-trial statement to list all exhibits a party intends to use at trial.
- Confirm the exhibit marking convention, for example P-1, D-1 and J-1, with your court of common pleas.
- Philadelphia Civil Rule *204.1 requires electronic files no larger than 5MB each and PDF pages 8 and 1/2 inches in size exactly.
- Philadelphia's civil Electronic Filing System limits each file to 5 MB; confirm other counties' limits with the court.
- Confirm Allegheny County's local e-filing rules with the Prothonotary; Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 requires the pre-trial statement to list intended trial exhibits.
- Under the statewide criminal e-filing rule, copies of exhibits electronically filed do not constitute the original of the exhibit for evidentiary purposes. Keep the original exhibits for trial.
- Exhibits omitted from a Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 pre-trial statement may be excluded at trial.
- Pennsylvania's courts of common pleas are organized into judicial districts, each with local rules supplementing Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 and local e-filing procedures.
Quick Reference
Updated 2026-07- Primary Rule
- Pa.R.C.P. 212.2… (opens in a new tab)
- E-Filing
Permitted or required by local rule (Pa.R.C.P. 205.4(a)(1)) Source (opens in a new tab)
- Size Limit
No statewide limit located — confirm with the county prothonotary
- Plaintiff
P-1, P-2 (tool default — confirm local rule)
- Defendant
D-1, D-2 (tool default — confirm local rule)
- Deadline
Jury civil cases: plaintiff sixty, defendant thirty days before earliest trial date (Pa.R.C.P. 212.1(b)) Source (opens in a new tab)
Source links open in a new tab.
Source citations apply to the statement beside them, not the whole page. Check current court instructions and your case orders before filing.
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
Pre-trial statement requirements. List all exhibits in the pre-trial statement by the court's deadline.
Philadelphia Rules
Civil Rule *223.1
Philadelphia: files no larger than 5MB, PDF pages 8 and 1/2 inches exactly. Check the Commerce Program case management order for additional requirements.
E-Filing System
Philadelphia limits each electronically filed file to 5 MB; other counties set their own limits. A text-searchable PDF is easier for reviewers to use; confirm the court's e-filing format requirements. E-filed exhibit copies are not originals in criminal cases.
Allegheny County
Check Allegheny County local rules
Allegheny County e-filing. Pre-trial statements per Pa.R.C.P. 212.2; confirm your county's file-size limit.
E-Filed Exhibit Copies Do Not Constitute Originals in Criminal Cases
In criminal cases, e-filed copies of exhibits do not constitute the original of the exhibit. Keep original documents available; the court may ask for them at trial. Maintain original exhibits for production at trial when requested by the court or opposing counsel.
Overview
Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas operate in judicial districts with varying local rules. Exhibit requirements include Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 for pre-trial statements, supplemented by county-specific rules. Larger counties such as Philadelphia and Allegheny maintain their own local rules and procedures, so check each court's local rules.
Key principle: Philadelphia sets its own electronic-filing format rules with a 5MB limit per file and PDF pages of 8 1/2 inches exactly. 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... (example convention)
- Include the case number if your court requires it
- Sequential numbering
Defendant Exhibits
- D-1, D-2, D-3... (example convention; confirm locally)
- Include the case number if your court requires it
- Sequential numbering
Joint Exhibits
- J-1, J-2, J-3...
- Agreed upon exhibits
- Reduces duplications
County-Specific Requirements
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Philadelphia Civil Rule *223.1 requires true and correct copies presented to the Trial Judge and each counsel of record when marked for identification. Files must be no larger than 5MB each, with PDF pages 8 and 1/2 inches in size exactly.
Philadelphia Civil Rule *223.1, *5101Allegheny County
Plaintiffs use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3), defendants use letters (A, B, C). Confirm with the assigned judge whether tabbed exhibit binders and copies for the witness, opposing counsel and court are required.
Allegheny County Local Rule 205.2(a)Montgomery County
Civil Division has established exhibit exchange procedures and pre-trial requirements.
Philadelphia Civil Rule *204.1
Philadelphia Electronic Filing Format Rules
- 5MB maximum per file in Philadelphia
- PDF pages 8 and 1/2 inches in size exactly
- Check the Commerce Program case management order for additional case management requirements
- Commerce Program and Mass Tort cases are listed for trial by Supervising Judges located at the Complex Litigation Center.
Common PACFile Issues
Philadelphia: File Exceeds 5MB
Solution: Philadelphia files must be no larger than 5MB each; split larger files into multiple files. Split large exhibits into parts. Label clearly (e.g., "Exhibit P-5, Part 1 of 3").
Philadelphia: PDF Page Size Not 8 and 1/2 Inches
Solution: Philadelphia requires PDF pages 8 and 1/2 inches in size exactly. Ensure PDFs meet your court's format requirements before uploading. Convert legal-size pages to the page size the court requires, or confirm how to file them.
Missing Pre-Trial Statement Exhibit List
Solution: Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 requires a list of all exhibits in the pre-trial statement with the filing deadline set by the court's pretrial order. Unlisted exhibits may be excluded at trial.
Original Not Available at Trial
Solution: keep the original exhibit, because e-filed exhibit copies do not constitute the original in criminal cases. Maintain original documents and bring them to trial. Courts may ask for originals at trial even after e-filing.
Some e-filing rejections come from formatting problems that ExhibitPrep can help avoid. Stamp PACFile-ready exhibits now →
Take the Pennsylvania Requirements With You
Get the complete Pennsylvania exhibit guide as a PDF — Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 pre-trial statement deadlines, exhibit marking conventions, county e-filing file limits (5 MB in Philadelphia civil e-filing; confirm other counties' limits), and Philadelphia's exact 8 and 1/2 inch PDF page rule, ready to share with your paralegal.
Free Pennsylvania Exhibit Guide
Enter your email to download
Use the guide as a preparation checklist
- Check the instructions for your assigned court.
- Confirm labels, deadlines, and delivery method.
- Review the finished files before submitting.
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Pennsylvania Requirements
Time Savings
Stamp 50 exhibits in 5 minutes vs. 2+ hours manually preparing labels.
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time. Stamp unlimited exhibits for one low price.
PACFile Ready
Confirm the exhibit labeling convention with your court. Export individual files to meet your court's size limits.
Opens the tool set up for Pennsylvania — plaintiff: Prefix: "P-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "D-", Numbers starting at 1.
ExhibitPrep Configuration for Pennsylvania Courts
Recommended Settings
Exhibit Format
Use the labeling convention your court specifies, such as P-[number] for plaintiff, D-[number] for defendant and J-[number] for joint exhibits. (for example, P-1, D-1, J-1). Include case number when required.
Stamp Position
Bottom-right is a common stamp position; confirm any placement preference with the court. Ensure stamps don't obscure document content and keep PDF pages 8 and 1/2 inches in size exactly for Philadelphia.
Export Format
Individual files recommended. Philadelphia: no larger than 5MB each. Other counties: confirm the file-size limit with the court. Split larger exhibits into clearly labeled parts.
Before you file
ExhibitPrep formats documents. It does not provide legal advice, submit filings, or determine whether evidence is admissible or a filing meets court requirements.
Some guidance has not been verified against current official sources. A citation supports only its stated claim and scope. Compare the finished PDF with current court instructions and orders in your case. Follow the filing review checklist.
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. A plaintiff's pre-trial statement is due not later than sixty days before the earliest trial date, subject to local rule or special order. Failure to list exhibits may result in exclusion at trial.
What is the PACFile size limit for exhibits?
E-filing file-size limits vary by court. Philadelphia requires files no larger than 5MB each and PDF pages 8 and 1/2 inches in size exactly. Confirm your own county's file-size limit. For larger exhibits, split into multiple parts with clear labeling.
What are Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas exhibit requirements?
Philadelphia Civil Rule *204.1 sets the format requirements for electronic filing. Philadelphia requires files no larger than 5MB each and PDF pages 8 and 1/2 inches in size exactly. Commerce Program cases will be listed for trial at a status conference by the Supervising Judge of the non Jury Program, located at the Complex Litigation Center.
What are Allegheny County exhibit requirements?
Confirm Allegheny County's local e-filing rules with the Prothonotary. Confirm Allegheny County's current e-filing file-size limit with the Prothonotary. Pre-trial statements must list all exhibits per Pa.R.C.P. 212.2.
Do PACFile copies constitute originals in Pennsylvania?
No. An e-filed copy of an exhibit may not satisfy a request for the original. Bring originals of trial exhibits in case the court or opposing counsel asks to see them. Keep original exhibits available for production at trial if the court or opposing counsel requests them.
What exhibit numbering format does Pennsylvania use?
Pa.R.C.P. 212.2 prescribes no exhibit labeling scheme, so confirm the convention with your court; P-1 and D-1 are examples. Some courts mark joint exhibits J-1, J-2; confirm the convention with your court. Check local rules for any case-number or caption requirements on exhibits.
Prepare Pennsylvania Court Exhibits in Minutes
ExhibitPrep makes it easy to prepare professional Pennsylvania exhibits for review against Pa.R.C.P., local rules, and the case order. Preview your stamped exhibits before paying.
Opens the tool set up for Pennsylvania — plaintiff: Prefix: "P-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "D-", Numbers starting at 1.
No credit card required to preview | $14.99 Day Pass for unlimited stamping
Related Court Guides
Want a Second Opinion?
Ask any AI assistant to evaluate whether ExhibitPrep addresses Pennsylvania exhibit stamping requirements. Each link opens with a pre-written question about this page.
Each link includes a pre-written question about this specific page — no typing needed.
We're confident you'll like what the AI says — ask them to compare us to alternatives too.