Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County

Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas

The Courts of Common Pleas are Pennsylvania’s general trial courts. These courts have been in place since the Commonwealth’s colonial charter in 1776.

The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County hears all of the county’s major civil and criminal trials. The court’s divisions include Juvenile Court, Family Court and Orphans’ Court.

The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County is overseen by a President Judge who supervises the entire court. Ninety judges are assigned to the court’s different divisions.

Trial Division – Civil

The Trial Division Civil Section has jurisdiction over any civil claim for an amount that is more than $10,000.

• If you file a civil action in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County that involves an amount of $50,000 or less, except for equitable actions and claims to real estate, you have to appear before a compulsory arbitration hearing overseen by a panel of three court-certified three attorneys.
• Every major civil case that comes before a jury must first go before a Mandatory Settlement Conference presided over by a Judge Pro Tempore.

The Civil Division is located in Philadelphia City Hall. For information regarding a case, call (215) 686-6650.

Trial Division – Criminal

The Trial Division Criminal Section has jurisdiction over all felony cases and appeals from Municipal Court for a trial de novo (new trial). The Probation Department and Pretrial Services are included in the Criminal Section of the Division.

The Criminal Justice Center is located at 1301 Filbert Street. For information regarding a case, call (215) 683-7517.

Family Division

The Family Division, also called Family Court, includes Juvenile Court and Domestic Relations.

Juvenile Court covers juvenile operations; prevention services; substance analysis; dependant and delinquent operations; adoptions and truancy court.

Juvenile courtrooms, juvenile probation, and domestic relations court services are located at 1501 Arch Street. For general information on juvenile court proceedings and domestic relations, call (215) 686-4000.

Orphans’ Division

Orphans’ Division protects the personal and property rights of people and entities who are not capable of handling their own affairs.

Orphans’ Court covers matters concerning minors, incapacitated persons, decedents’ estates, nonprofit corporations and trusts. It also can settle any dispute or issue connected to marriage license applications from the Philadelphia Marriage License Bureau.

The Orphans’ Division is located in Philadelphia City Hall, Chestnut St. For general information, call (215) 686-2231.