Court of Common Pleas (City-County Building) – Pittsburgh, PA

Court of Common Pleas: Civil and Family Divisions

The Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County maintains significant operations within the historic City-County Building on Grant Street, directly across from the main courthouse. While the criminal courts are located in the courthouse, the City-County Building serves as the primary center for the Civil Division and various administrative functions of the Fifth Judicial District. This 9-story Beaux-Arts style building, completed in 1917, is a hub of civic activity, housing both city government offices and county judicial services.

Key Judicial Departments

Visitors typically come to this location for non-criminal legal matters. The primary offices include:

• Civil Division: Handles lawsuits, arbitration, and general civil litigation. The arbitration center and courtrooms for civil trials are located on the upper floors.
• Department of Court Records (Civil/Family): This office is the central repository for filing legal documents related to divorce, custody, and civil lawsuits. It is the first stop for anyone initiating a civil case.
• Wills and Orphans’ Court Division: Manages the probate of wills, administration of estates, and marriage license applications.
• Board of Viewers: Handles appeals regarding property assessments and eminent domain cases.

Family and Arbitration Services

The facility is designed to handle dispute resolution. The Arbitration Center provides a forum for resolving civil cases involving smaller monetary amounts without a full jury trial. Additionally, many filings related to Family Court (divorce decrees, custody agreements) are processed here, although specific Family Court hearings may take place in the dedicated Family Law Center nearby.

Visitor Information

The City-County Building is a secure government facility. All entrants must pass through security screening with metal detectors. The building features a grand main hall with high ceilings and historical columns, often used for civic events. Public elevators provide access to the court offices on the upper floors. The location is centrally located in downtown Pittsburgh, making it highly accessible via the Grant Street transportation corridor.