IN RE: NORTHAMPTON COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 1997-6 --TERMINATION OF INACTIVE CIVIL CASES
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 20th day of November, 1997, the following procedure is adopted with respect to termination of inactive civil cases:
(a) The prothonotary shall list for general call at 1:30 p.m. on the date of the first miscellaneous hearing list in September of each year all civil matters in which no steps or proceedings have been taken for two years or more prior thereto, and all divorce matters in which no steps or proceedings have been taken for three years or more prior thereto, and shall give notice thereof to counsel of record, and to the parties for whom no appearance has been entered, as provided by Pa.R.J.A. 1901(c). If no action is taken or no written objection is docketed in such a matter prior to the commencement of the general call, the prothonotary shall strike the matter from the list and enter an order as of course dismissing the matter with prejudice for failure to prosecute, under the provisions hereof. If no good cause for continuing a matter is shown at the general call, an order shall be entered forthwith by the court for dismissal. This administrative order does not apply to non support and custody matters.
(b) Administrative Order 1988 7 is hereby vacated.
Comment: See R.Jud.Admin. 1901 and comments thereto.
BY THE COURT,
Robert A. Freedberg