Opinion
SUPREME COURT RULES DOCKET NO. 859
11-24-2020
IN RE: ORDER AMENDING RULE 213 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA BAR ADMISSION RULES
ORDER
AND NOW, this 24th day of November, 2020, upon the recommendation of the Board of Law Examiners, the proposal having been published for public comment in the Pennsylvania Bulletin at volume 50, no. 32 (August 8, 2020):
IT IS ORDERED pursuant to Article V, Section 10 of the Constitution of Pennsylvania that Rule 213 of the Bar Admission Rules is amended to add subpart (c) as set forth in the attached form.
This ORDER shall be processed in accordance with Pa.R.J.A. No. 103(b), and the amendment shall be effective immediately. Additions to the rule are shown in bold and are underlined.
Rule 213. Hearings Before the Board
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(c) Remote Hearing; Remote Testimony. The Board may , at its own instance or upon request of an applicant, conduct a hearing under subsection (b) via telephone or other method of advanced communication technology ("ACT"). The Board likewise may, in its discretion, allow a witness to testify via ACT. Any witness testifying via ACT must provide valid, government-issued photo identification to the Board office in advance of the witness's testimony. At least three business days in advance of a remote hearing, the applicant shall provide to the Board the names of all witnesses, and copies of any documents or exhibits that the applicant intends to present at the hearing and which are not already part of the Board's record. Documents and exhibits shall be transmitted electronically via the Board's secure website unless otherwise directed by the Board. If an applicant is unable to provide such documents or exhibits in advance of the hearing, the Board may, in its discretion, hold the record open and grant an applicant additional time to provide such documents or exhibits. Notice of the technology requirements for the remote hearing, along with instructions for counsel regarding use of the technology in the course of the hearing, shall be posted on the Board's website and included when giving notice of a remote hearing. An applicant is responsible for complying with the technology requirements and for being familiar with their use.