Pennsylvania law outlines the roles and responsibilities of the prothonotary and the clerk of the courts within the judiciary system. It specifies when the prothonotary can perform duties related to criminal, probate, estates, and fiduciary matters, and establishes the appointment and jurisdiction of the clerk of the courts in various counties, including Philadelphia. The law clarifies the separation of duties between these offices to ensure proper judicial administration.
The prothonotary in Pennsylvania handles certain duties related to civil, criminal, probate, estates, and fiduciary matters, but only within specific limits set by law.
The prothonotary performs clerk duties only when no separate clerk of the courts or orphans' court division is authorized for the county, and within the scope allowed by law.
The clerk of the courts is responsible for managing court records and administrative functions for the court of common pleas in each county, including Philadelphia.
In multicounty districts, the clerk of the courts serves as the clerk for the specific branch of the court of common pleas established for that county.