Legal research for Pennsylvania law firms - Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg
By LegiMatch Research Team · Published October 16, 2026 · 3 min read
Short answer: Pennsylvania has two intermediate appellate courts. The Superior Court hears most civil and criminal appeals, and the Commonwealth Court hears cases involving state and local government. Both can issue non-precedential decisions that may be cited for persuasive value under set conditions. In federal court, the Third Circuit in Philadelphia binds all three districts.
Pennsylvania's courts
| Court | Role |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court of Pennsylvania | Highest court; binds every Pennsylvania court |
| Superior Court | Most appeals from the courts of common pleas: civil, criminal and family |
| Commonwealth Court | Appeals involving state and local government, and from state agencies; also some original jurisdiction |
| Courts of common pleas | General trial courts, organized by judicial district (Philadelphia and Allegheny County each have their own) |
| Philadelphia Municipal Court | Smaller civil claims, landlord-tenant and some criminal matters in the city |
Before you research an appeal, decide which intermediate court it belongs to. A zoning, tax assessment or public employment case usually goes to the Commonwealth Court; a negligence or contract case between private parties goes to the Superior Court.
Citing non-precedential decisions
- Superior Court: under Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 126(b), non-precedential decisions filed after May 1, 2019 may be cited for their persuasive value.
- Commonwealth Court: under its internal operating procedures, unreported opinions issued after January 15, 2008 may be cited for persuasive value, but not as binding precedent.
Check the filing date before you rely on an unpublished decision from either court.
Federal courts in Pennsylvania
| District | Main cities |
|---|---|
| Eastern District | Philadelphia, Allentown, Reading, Easton |
| Middle District | Harrisburg, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport |
| Western District | Pittsburgh, Erie, Johnstown |
Appeals go to the Third Circuit, which sits in Philadelphia.
Citations and statutes
Pennsylvania appellate decisions appear in the Atlantic Reporter (A.3d). Statutes are found in two places: the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Pa.C.S.), organized by title, and older laws not yet consolidated, usually cited to Purdon's (P.S.). The General Assembly publishes both on its official website.
A fact-first workflow
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh dockets are full of fact-driven cases: premises liability, auto accidents, employment and municipal liability.
- Describe the facts in plain English. Example: "A pedestrian in Philadelphia tripped on a broken section of sidewalk in front of a rowhouse. The city had received a complaint about it, and the owner says the city is responsible."
- Limit to Pennsylvania, and add Third Circuit and Pennsylvania federal decisions if the case is in federal court.
- Read the closest decisions first, noting the court and whether each is precedential.
- Check treatment before relying on any decision.
- Read the statute at issue (here, the sidewalk exception in the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8542(b)(7)) in the version in force on the relevant date.
LegiMatch returns up to 100 similar decisions for each matter, ranked by a match score that shows how much facts, legal issues, statutes, jurisdiction and recency contributed. Every result is a real decision linked to the court's text. It supports your research and doesn't give legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which court hears appeals in a case against a Pennsylvania township?
Usually the Commonwealth Court, which handles appeals involving state and local government. Check the jurisdiction provisions in Title 42 for your specific case type.
Can I cite an unpublished Superior Court memorandum?
Yes, for persuasive value, if it was filed after May 1, 2019 (Pa.R.A.P. 126(b)). Earlier ones generally can't be cited.
Which federal court covers Pittsburgh?
The Western District of Pennsylvania. Appeals go to the Third Circuit.
Sources
- Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 126
- Commonwealth Court Internal Operating Procedures (unreported opinions)
- Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (pacourts.us)
- United States Courts, court locator (uscourts.gov)
This article is general information about legal research, not legal advice. Verify every authority before relying on it.
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