What is this rule returnable paperwork

[condemnity]

What is the name of your state? Lackawanna County, PA

I received papers from a local law office who was hired by Wolpoff & Abramson and MBNA.

Here is pretty much all of the text of the first page:
AND NOW, this 8th day of December, 2005, upon consideration of the within Plaintif's Petition to Confirm Foreign Arbitration Award, a Rule Returnable shall be shceduled in the above captioned action for the 6th day of January, 2006, at 4:00 p.m. in the Court Room Number ___(blank) of the Lackawanna County Court House.

It is stamped by the clerk of judicial records and there is a small heading at the bottom that says "BY THE COURT" and it is signed, with a J. under the name.


I suppose my real question is... what the hell? This actually means I have to show up at court on that date, correct?

And rule returnable - is that something meaning that a decision has been made and I'm just going to hear what the decision is? Or should I actually be prepared with caselaw?

I originally received a petition to confirm arbitration award. I didn't file motion in time. So, if I could say anything at the rule returnable, I'd try to prepare. If it's really just me finding out what the deal is, then I'll just relax until then.

[Ladynred]

I suppose my real question is... what the hell? This actually means I have to show up at court on that date, correct?

Obviously W&A is going to turn their arbitration award into a legal judgment against you. This "Rule Returnable" is PA law and from what I can find its a follow-up kind of thing because you didn't appear for a prior hearing/conference. You're probably going to lose this one, but if you want any hope, you'd better go to this next hearing.

How old is this debt, when did you last pay MBNA directly ??