Court Opinion

ID: 9736895
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 19:09:11.70854+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:23:55.190109
License: Public Domain

POPOVICH, Judge,
dissenting:
While I recognize the majority’s resolution of this case complies with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure for District Justices, I write separately to express concern over the draconian penalty which appellant must endure for its relatively minor violation of the Pa.R.C.P.D.J., Rule 1005B. I believe that striking appellant’s appeal is a harsh result where the brief delay in service of the notice of appeal has not prejudiced appellee. Accordingly, I dissent and would reinstate the appeal.
I note that civil actions before the district justice are routinely litigated by lay citizens of this Commonwealth who are not learned in the law and the applicable rules of civil procedure. Thus, I believe that when ruling upon violations of the rules of civil procedure of our own “people’s court”, we should liberally construe the rules and “disregard any error or defect or procedure which does not affect the substantial rights of the parties.” See, Pa.R.C.P. Rule 126.
Instantly, appellant timely filed its notice of appeal with the prothonotary of Allegheny County on November 11, 1992. Pa.R.C.P.D.J. Rule 1002. Although it claims to have served appellee and the district justice by first class mail in a timely manner, both appellee and the district justice deny receiving notice until January of 1993, well after the ten-day time limit imposed by Rule 1005B. Rule 1005A requires the appellant to serve the appellee and district justice via personal service or certified or registered mail which appellant did on January 15, 1993, when legal counsel was retained.
If an appellant demonstrates “good cause” why it neglected to comply with Rule 1005B, the lower court may reinstate appellant’s appeal. Pa.R.C.P.D.J. Rule 1006. It is my opinion *358that the definition of “good cause” should be liberally construed, and encompass appellant’s “inadvertent error” in allegedly attempting to serve the proofs via first class mail rather than certified mail or personal service, especially where the delay in actual service of less than two months has not resulted in prejudice to appellee.
I am aware that such an interpretation of “good cause” would greatly expand its definition. However, I believe it is necessary to insure that ordinary citizens without the assistance of lawyers are able to secure adjudication of their disputes, despite insignificant, non-prejudicial deviations from the procedural rules.