Filing an Entry of Appearance

When an attorney, or their proxy, attempts to file on a case in which they are not currently participating, the PACFile process requires the submission of an entry of appearance.

When an entry of appearance is being filed on an existing case, it must be recorded as the primary filing type in the Select Filing screen and the attorney must be added through the Counsel tab. The steps below indicate the important steps that must be completed within the overall wizard process when filing the appearance:

1. 

On your Dashboard, click the Case Filing link under the Actions section.

Tip: It is also possible to start a case filing from the PACFile menu.

2. 

If you have proxy rights to file on behalf of someone else, you will see the proxy selection options on the screen. Choose to file as yourself or someone else and click SUBMIT.

3. 

Enter the Docket Number of the case on which you are filing and click SEARCH.

Tip: If you do not have the exact formatting of the docket number, select the Build Docket Number checkbox to use selectable fields to assist in entering the number.

4. 

Within the search results, click the Select Case icon Select Case icon appearing in the grid.

5. 

If the Associated Cases grid displays and additional cases are listed on which you need the same filing(s), select them in the grid.

6. 

Click OK.

7. 

In the Select Filing screen, select Entry of Appearance from the Filing Type dropdown. Click SUBMIT.

8. 

In the Participants tab, click NEXT.

Tip: Participant names will be redacted on Juvenile and Dependency cases.

9. 

In the Counsel tab, click ADD the Add Self icon Add Self icon.

a. 

In the Add Self popup, select the radio button next to the attorney's name and click the SELECT button.

b. 

Click on the Representing tab and select the participant the attorney is representing.

Tip: When participant names are redacted, refer to the role assigned to each participant to determine the correct selection.

c. 

Click SAVE to return to the Counsel tab. Click NEXT.

10. 

Complete the eService tab normally. Click NEXT.

11. 

In the Filing Documents tab, upload the Entry of Appearance document, the proof of service, and add any other filing types/documents as needed. Click NEXT.

12. 

Review the Verification tab, click Verify, and complete the submission process.

For printable step-by-step assistance (with pictures), refer to the following:

How to File and Entry of Appearance on an Existing Case (Common Pleas Courts)