Arbitration. The arbitration system in Allegheny County is compulsory non-binding arbitration with a ceiling of $50,000 on civil damage awards.
Rule 236 - Notice by Prothonotary of Entry of Order or Judgment (a) The prothonotary shall immediately give written notice of the entry of (1) a judgment entered by confession to the defendant by ordinary mail together with a copy of all documents filed with the prothonotary in support of the confession of judgment.
Rule 1301 - Scope (1) The following civil actions shall first be submitted to and heard by a Board of Arbitrators: (a) Civil actions, proceedings and appeals or issues therein where the demand is for $50,000 or less (exclusive of interest and costs); (b) Replevin without bond and replevin with bond once bond has been ...
(3) An answer to preliminary objections is required (within twenty (20) days after service of the preliminary objections) only to preliminary objections raising an issue under Pa. R.C.P. 1028 (a)(1), (5), (6), (7) or (8), provided a notice to plead is attached to the preliminary objections.
Code r. 1024 - Verification. (a) Every pleading containing an averment of fact not appearing of record in the action or containing a denial of fact shall state that the averment or denial is true upon the signer's personal knowledge or information and belief and shall be verified.
Rule 1301.1 - Discovery in Compulsory Arbitration Proceedings (Except Small Claims) (1) For any personal injury claim filed in Compulsory Arbitration, the plaintiff may serve arbitration discovery requests (see FORM 1301.1A) (see subsection (8)(a) below) either together with the copy of the Complaint served on the ...
Rule 1028 - Preliminary Objections (a) Preliminary objections may be filed by any party to any pleading and are limited to the following grounds: (1) lack of jurisdiction over the subject matter of the action or the person of the defendant, improper venue or improper form or service of a writ of summons or a complaint; ...
Under Rule 1311.1, a plaintiff, which includes a defendant who is a plaintiff in a counterclaim, may elect as the maximum amount of damages an amount equal to the compulsory arbitration limit set by the judicial district in which the action was filed.