Section 2501 - Appearance in person or by counsel(a) Civil mattersIn all civil matters before any tribunal every litigant shall have a right to be heard, by himself and his counsel, or by either of them.(b) Criminal mattersIn all criminal prosecutions the accused has a right to be heard by himself and his counsel.1976, July 9, P.L. 586, No. 142, § 2, effective 6/27/1978.