Rule 2 Applicability; Statute of Limitations

Every attorney practicing in the Commonwealth falls under these rules. Courts still keep their own power to hold people in contempt or control what happens in their courtroom, no matter what these disciplary rules say.

There's a time limit on filing discipline complaints. Someone has 10 years from when the misconduct happened to bring a case against an attorney. After that, the case is barred.

There are some important exceptions to this 10-year limit. If the case involves proceedings covered by Rule 15 or Rule 16, the time limit doesn't apply. The time limit also doesn't protect an attorney who intentionally hid or covered up what they did. In those situations, a complaint can be filed no matter how much time has passed.