Administrative Order Amending MDJ Procedures

Overview

This Administrative Order, issued by the Court of Common Pleas for Blair County (24th Judicial District), amends a previous order dated June 1, 2020. The amendment is effective as of July 10, 2020, and addresses the suspension of specific landlord-tenant filings and evictions.

Key Decisions on Evictions and Filings

The Court has issued the following directives regarding eviction proceedings:

• Suspension of New Filings: No new filings for breach of lease due to nonpayment of rent or for holdover tenants will be accepted until September 1, 2020.
• Stay of Pending Evictions: All evictions pending since the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s March 18, 2020 declaration of judicial emergency are stayed (paused) until September 1, 2020.
• Postponement of Eviction Dates: While evictions are stayed, Constables are permitted to post eviction notices on August 21, 2020, allowing for an eviction to potentially occur on September 1, 2020.
• Exceptions for Other Breaches: Filings for landlord/tenant cases involving breaches of lease covenants other than nonpayment of rent or holdover status will still be accepted. The Court will issue judgments and evictions for these cases, even if they include a claim of failure to pay rent.
• Pre-March 18 Evictions: Any evictions that were pending and posted before the March 18, 2020 judicial emergency declaration may proceed.

Remote Appearance Procedures

The order confirms that the waiver of personal appearance remains in effect. Parties may appear remotely, and a remote authorization form is acceptable for these proceedings until further order of the Court.

Signatory

• Judge: Elizabeth Doyle, President Judge