(a) Capital unitary review.--Review by the Supreme Court under section 9711(h) (relating to review of death sentence) shall comprise direct appeal and collateral appeal. The common pleas court order disposing of the petition under this subchapter shall constitute the final judgment for purposes of this review.
(b) Briefs for petitioner.--Unless the petitioner has waived the right to new counsel on collateral review, separate briefs shall be filed for direct appeal and collateral appeal. The time for filing the collateral appeal brief shall begin to run from service of the petitioner's brief on direct appeal.
(c) Brief for the Commonwealth.--The Commonwealth shall file a brief in response to the petitioner's direct and collateral appeal briefs. The time for filing the Commonwealth's brief shall begin to run from service of the petitioner's brief on collateral appeal.
Suspension by Court Order. Section 9577 was suspended August 11, 1997, S.Ct. Order.