NEWS  

1101 Market Street, 11th Floor • Philadelphia, PA 19107

Phone: 215-238-6300 • Fax: 215-238-1267 • www.philadelphiabar.org

March 06, 2020

Philadelphia Bar Association Coronavirus Response

Updated February 26, 2020

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Recent Updates

  • February 26, 2021 – The First Judicial District has issued a series of Administrative Orders rescheduling dates for Sheriff’s Tax Sales and Mortgage Foreclosure Sales and setting procedures for Mortgage Foreclosure Sales.
  • February 24, 2021 – The First Judicial District has issued Waiver Trials – Policies and Procedures, effective March 1, 2021, to offer guidance to judges in the waiver, majors and homicide programs in conducting waiver trials during the current phase of the pandemic.
  • February 23, 2021 – Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas has set protocols for the Jury Restart Program in criminal proceedings at the Stout Center.
  • February 22, 2021 - Effective Monday, March 8, 2021, with the exception of homicide and non-fatal shootings, gun cases will be scheduled for preliminary hearing to courtroom 503 Stout Center. Custody VUFA cases currently scheduled June – August will be administratively rescheduled to earlier dates in 503, and notification will be forwarded to all parties. The commonwealth and defense should be prepared to proceed at the next listing regardless of the courtroom location. When a continuance request is granted in another courtroom, the VUFA case will then be scheduled to courtroom 503. Additionally, courtroom 603 will operate 5 days per week effective 3/8/21.
    NEW SCHEDULE
    • VUFA Preliminary Hearing Lists – 503 Stout Center
      Mon., Wed., Thus. & Fri.
      Time: 8, 9, 10 & 11 a.m.
      1st Listings: 12 p.m.
    • GVTF PH Lists – Relocates from 603 to 503 Stout Center
      Tues. only
      Time: 8, 9, 10 & 11 a.m.
      1st Listings: 12 p.m.
    • Standard PH Lists – 603 Stout Center
      Mon. - Fri.
      Time: 8, 9, 10 & 11 a.m.
  • February 8, 2021 – Philadelphia Administrative Judge Shirdan-Harris and Supervising Judges Anders and Glazer have issued a Notice to the Bar setting the protocol for settlement conferences in Major Jury, Arbitration Appeal and Non-Jury cases in the Court of Common Pleas.
  • February 1, 2021 – Philadelphia Municipal Court President Judge Patrick Dugan has issued an administrative order setting forth exceptions to the moratorium on residential evictions, including service of writs and alias writs of possession.
  • January 29, 2021 – Administrative Judge Shirdan-Harris and Supervising Judge Anders have issued an administrative order extending the Philadelphia Residential Eviction Moratorium to March 31, 2021, in harmony with the CDC order.
  • January 28, 2021 – Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas President Judge Idee Fox has issued new administrative orders postponing February Tax Sheriff Sales to dates in May, 2021 and establishing protocol for providing notice of the new dates; and an administrative order postponing February 2 Mortgage Foreclosure Sheriff Sales to May 4 and June 1, 2021, per the schedule attached to the order.
  • January 15, 2021: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Administrative Judge Shirdan-Harris and Supervising Judge Tucker have ordered that all Court of Common Pleas criminal trials are deferred until March 1, 2021.
  • December 30, 2020 - Philadelphia Municipal Court has joined the Court of Common Pleas in extending the moratorium of evictions in the city through January 31, 2021. Please see attached Order #70 of 2020, signed by President Judge Dugan, as well as previously issued Order #65 of 2020, referenced in the new Order.
  • December 30, 2020 - Updated: Waiver and Jury Trial Protocols for January 2021
  • December 29, 2020 - Philadelphia Municipal Court has announced its Civil and Criminal Divisions judicial courtroom assignments and Criminal Division schedule by topic, effective January 4, 2021.

Montgomery County Emergency Procedures

Covid-19 Emergency Protocol
Case Conference Request Form
Coronavirus Response

The Philadelphia Bar Association is following the recent directives of Governor Wolf and Mayor Kenney to close all
non-essential businesses by temporarily closing our physical office at 1101 Market Street for the foreseeable
future. The recent outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is being closely monitored by health organizations and
governments worldwide.

Although our office is closed, the Philadelphia Bar Association as an entity is open and working
remotely. Our staff is ready and available to continue to service our members. Please feel free to
contact staff by email or phone, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All scheduled meetings will now take place via conference call. Please refer to your meeting
announcement for conference call details, or contact Dawn Petit at dpetit@philabar.org or (215) 238- 6367. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Tracey McCloskey at tmccloskey@philabar.org or (215) 238-6360.

All CLE programming, until further notice, will be offered via webcast. For course offerings, dates, and
times, please visit:

Philadelphia
Bar Association Calendar List

Then, type "CLE" in the search box and hit "Go."

The Philadelphia Bar Association is committed to the health and safety of our staff, members, and
visitors. We wish you and your loved ones well during these unusual circumstances. Further announcements
will be made as necessary.

During the week of February 23, the first incidence of “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated
“COVID-19”) was reported in the United States. COVID-19 is a novel (new) coronavirus—named
“SARS-CoV-2”—which causes a respiratory illness whose symptoms can range from mild to severe. The
illness was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, before spreading into other countries. The
first U.S. cases have been the result of importation via travelers from Wuhan and their close contacts.

Clinical information currently suggests that most cases are mild, with serious illness occurring in about 16% of cases. Those prone to serious occurrences of the disease are older people, those with underlying health issues, such as heart
disease and diabetes, and those with compromised immune systems. Symptoms, such as fever, cough, and
shortness of breath, can appear 2-14 days after exposure. The disease is believed to be spread through the mucus membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth, and via
airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing.

The United States Centers for Disease Control's current risk assessment of COVID-19 as it relates to the
U.S. population is that most of the American public is unlikely to be exposed at this time, and the
immediate health risk from COVID-19 is low. Healthcare workers and travelers returning from affected
international locations are at an elevated risk.

Where can I learn more about COVID-19?

Information and advice from the CDC about COVID-19 is available here. If you experience symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or who has
recently traveled from an area currently experiencing an outbreak, the CDC recommends that you call your doctor.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Information About the Coronavirus

  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Provides information on what you should know about the disease, including how it spreads, symptoms,
    prevention and treatment, testing, and frequently asked questions. It also provides daily situation updates
    and information for communities, schools, businesses, and travel.
  • World Health Organization
    Provides advice for the public, daily situation updates, travel advice, and country-specific information.
  • Pennsylvania Department of Health
    Frequent updates on the status of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, guidance on getting your household prepared for
    an outbreak, and advice on large gatherings and community events.
  • Philadelphia Department of Health
    Planning guidance for businesses and nonprofit organizations and the latest local information on COVID-19.
  • Pennsylvania Public Health Law Benchbook
    Designed for the courts and useful to practitioners, this benchbook provides a glossary of public
    health-related terminology, analysis and background information for some of the legal issues a court may be
    called upon to consider when a major health issue arises, model orders, and a table of cases.

For Announcements on the Status of Court Operations:

United States District Court:
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