Section 93.52. Communications and filings generally

(a) General rule. Except as otherwise provided in this section all communications, submittals, and pleadings should be addressed to the Board at the Office of the Secretary unless otherwise specifically directed. All communication and filings should clearly designate the docket number, or similar identifying symbols, if any, employed by the Board, and should set forth a short title. All communications shall include the address of the person communicating, the party such person represents, and how response should be sent to such person if not by first class mail.

(b) Pleadings. All pleadings and other documents filed pursuant to any provision of Chapter 89 (relating to formal proceedings) shall comply with the applicable provisions of such Chapter.

(c) Incomplete documents. In any proceeding when upon inspection the Office of the Secretary is of the opinion that a submittal or pleading tendered for filing does not comply with this Subpart such Office may decline to accept the document for filing and may return it unfiled, or such Office may accept it for filing and advise the person tendering it of the deficiency and require that the deficiency be corrected.

(d) Disposition of complaints.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection all complaints received by the Office of the Secretary against attorneys shall be transmitted forthwith to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Thereafter correspondence concerning the complaint, the investigation thereof, and informal proceedings relating thereto should be addressed to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

(2) Complaints received by the Office of the Secretary against Disciplinary Counsel involving alleged violations of the Disciplinary Rules or Enforcement Rules shall be submitted directly to the Board and assigned to a reviewing member of the Board for disposition as provided by Enforcement Rule 209(b).

(3) Complaints received by the Office of the Secretary or the Office of Disciplinary Counsel against members of the Board involving alleged violations of Chapter 81 (relating to rules of professional conduct) or the Enforcement Rules shall, as provided by Enforcement Rule 209(b), be handled in the same manner as other complaints, except that if action is required by the Board the Secretary shall notify the Supreme Court which shall appoint an Ad Hoc Disciplinary Board comprised of five former members of the Board who shall discharge the functions of the Board and have all the powers of the Board with respect to that one matter only.

The provisions of this § 93.52 amended January 15, 1988, effective April 1, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 242; amended August 5, 2005, effective immediately, 35 Pa.B. 4301. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (309935).