1. (a) Unless otherwise authorized by law or state court rule, no person shall communicate with the magisterial district judge in any way regarding matters pending before the magisterial district judge unless all parties:

   1. (1) are present or have been copied if the communication is written or in electronic form; or
   2. (2) have waived their presence or right to receive the communication.

2. (b) If the magisterial district judge receives any unauthorized ex parte communication, the magisterial district judge shall inform all parties of the communication and its content.

   Comment:

   Generally, communications should include all parties. No unauthorized ex parte communications with the magisterial district judge are to occur. Authorized ex parte communications include those made in connection with proceedings for emergency protective orders, i.e., Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 1201—1211, which are ex parte proceedings. See Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 1207. Certain ex parte communications for scheduling, administrative, or emergency purposes that do not address substantive matters are permissible. See Rule 2.9(A)(1) of the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges.

   Attorneys are bound by Rule 3.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Magisterial district judges are bound by Rule 2.9 of the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges.

   Attorneys and judges understand the impropriety of ex parte communications regarding matters pending before the magisterial district court but many participants are not attorneys or judges. This rule ensures that all parties receive the same information that is being presented to the magisterial district judge so that it may be challenged or supplemented.

Source

The provisions of this Rule 210.1 added December 1, 2025, effective April 1, 2026, 55 Pa.B. 8362.