IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
IN RE: HANDLING OF PROCEDURAL MATTERS IN CIVIL ACTIONS
AND HABEAS PETITIONS FILED BY PRO SE INDIVIDUALS
SUPERSEDING STANDING ORDER
AND NOW, this 22nd day of June, 2023, it is hereby ORDERED the Standing Order filed
April 26, 2018 entitled “In Re: Handling Of Procedural Matters In Civil Actions And Habeas
Petitions Filed By Pro Se Individuals” is SUPERSEDED to now provide as follows:
1. In all civil actions filed by individuals proceeding pro se, including habeas corpus cases,
the Clerk of Court is authorized to docket a “Notice of Guidelines for Representing Yourself
(Appearing “Pro Se”) in Federal Court.” This Notice shall be docketed as soon as the case is
opened and sent to the pro se litigant who filed the case. The members of the Pro Se Committee
are authorized to edit the Notice as needed to address questions or issues that may arise in the
future.
2. In all civil actions filed by individuals proceeding pro se, including habeas corpus cases,
the Clerk of Court is authorized to draft and docket Administrative Orders to address the following
situations, including a combination thereof:
a. A pro se plaintiff or petitioner has failed to either pay the applicable filing fee or
submit a motion to proceed in forma pauperis;
b. A pro se plaintiff or petitioner has failed to sign the complaint or habeas corpus
petition;
c. A pro se plaintiff or petitioner has failed to sign a submitted motion to proceed in
forma pauperis;
d. A pro se plaintiff who is incarcerated at the time of filing has failed to submit a
copy of his or her prisoner account statement for the entire six-month period prior
to submission of the complaint or, in the case of a habeas petitioner, has failed to
provide a certification of the prisoner’s institutional account balance.
3. In the event that a defendant named in a non-habeas corpus pro se civil action files a
motion pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12, the Clerk of Court is authorized to draft
and docket Administrative Orders:
a. Setting forth a briefing schedule for a response by the pro se plaintiff, and a reply
by the movant;
b. Permitting, upon request of a litigant, one extension of time not to exceed 15 days
from the established schedule.
4. Administrative Orders shall be issued under the name of the current Clerk of Court and
signed by the docketing clerk.
/s/ Juan R. Sánchez
JUAN R. SÁNCHEZ, C.J.
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