RULES OF JUVENILE COURT PROCEDURE

DELINQUENCY MATTERS

Table of Rules

CHAPTER 1

* * *

PART D

MASTERS

182. Qualifications of Master

185. Appointment to Cases 

187. Authority of Master

190. Admissions Before Master

191. Master's Findings and Recommendation to the Judge

192. Challenge to Master’s Recommendation

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RULE 182. QUALIFICATIONS OF MASTER

A. Education, Experience, and Training. To be eligible to be appointed as a 

master to preside over cases governed by the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 6301 

et seq., an individual shall:

1) be a member, in good standing, of the bar of this Commonwealth; 

2) have been licensed to practice law for at least five consecutive years; 

and

3) have completed six hours of instruction, approved by the Pennsylvania 

Continuing Legal Education Board prior to hearing cases, which 

specifically addresses all of the following topics:

a) the Juvenile Act;

b) the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure;

c) the penal laws of Pennsylvania;

d) the Child Protective Services Law; 

e) evidence rules and methodology;

f) child and adolescent development; and

g) the collateral consequences of an adjudication of delinquency.

B. Continuing Education. A master shall complete six hours of instruction from 

a course(s) designed by the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission, in juvenile 

delinquency law, policy, or related social science research every two years 

from the initial appointment as master.

C. Compliance. 

1) A master shall sign an affidavit attesting that he or she has met the 

requirements of this rule. 

2) Prior to appointment as a master, the affidavit shall be sent to the 

President Judge or his or her designee of each judicial district where 

the attorney is seeking appointment as a master. 

3) After submission of the initial affidavit pursuant to paragraph (C)(2), 

masters shall submit a new affidavit every two years attesting that the 

continuing education requirements of paragraph (B) have been met. 
3

COMMENT

Pursuant to paragraphs (A)(1) & (2), masters are to be in good standing and have at least 

five consecutive years of experience as an attorney. It is best practice to have at least two years 

of experience in juvenile law. 

Pursuant to paragraph (A)(3), the initial training program(s) is to be approved by the 

Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board (Board). The program may be one course or 

multiple courses with at least six hours of instruction, equivalent to at least six CLE credits. 

When the Board is approving courses designed to address the requirements of this rule, it should 

consult with the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission to ensure proper course requirements are 

being met. Additionally, for this initial training course(s), training already provided by the

Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission or the Office of Children and Families in the Courts may meet 

the requirements of this Rule. 

For continuing education under paragraph (B), masters are to attend six hours of 

instruction from a course or multiple courses designed by the Juvenile Court Judges’ 

Commission. This is to ensure uniform training among masters. 

These requirements are additional requirements to the Pa.R.C.L.E. because they mandate 

specific training in juvenile delinquency law. However, the credit hours received do count 

towards the total maximum required under Pa.R.C.L.E. 105.

Pursuant to paragraph (C), a master is to certify to the court that the requirements of this 

rule have been met prior to the appointment as master, and submit new affidavits every two years 

thereafter. 

Official Note: Rule 182 adopted September 11, 2014, effective October 1, 2016. 

Committee Explanatory Reports:

Final Report explaining the provisions of Rule 182 published with the Court’s Order at 44 Pa.B. - (-

).

 
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DEPENDENCY MATTERS

CHAPTER 11

* * *

PART D

[PROCEEDINGS IN CASES BEFORE] MASTERS

1182. Qualifications of Master

1185. Appointment to Cases

1187. Authority of Master

1190. Stipulations Before Master

1191. Master’s Findings and Recommendation to the Judge
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RULE 1182. QUALIFICATIONS OF MASTER

A. Education, Experience, and Training. To be eligible to be appointed as a 

master to preside over cases governed by the Juvenile Act, 42 Pa.C.S. § 6301 

et seq., an individual shall:

1) be a member, in good standing, of the bar of this Commonwealth; 

2) have been licensed to practice law for at least five consecutive years; 

and

3) have completed six hours of instruction, approved by the Pennsylvania 

Continuing Legal Education Board prior to hearing cases, which 

specifically addresses all of the following topics:

a the Juvenile Act;

b) the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure;

c) the Child Protective Services Law; 

d) evidence rules and methodology; and 

e) child and adolescent development.

B. Continuing Education. A master shall complete six hours of instruction from 

a course(s) designed by the Office of Children and Families in the Courts, in 

juvenile dependency law, policy, or related social science research every two 

years from the initial appointment as master.

C. Compliance. 

1) A master shall sign an affidavit attesting that he or she has met the 

requirements of this rule. 

2) Prior to appointment as a master, the affidavit shall be sent to the 

President Judge or his or her designee of each judicial district where 

the attorney is seeking appointment as a master. 

3) After submission of the initial affidavit pursuant to paragraph (C)(2), 

masters shall submit a new affidavit every two years attesting that the 

continuing education requirements of paragraph (B) have been met. 

Comment

Pursuant to paragraphs (A)(1) & (2), masters are to be in good standing and have at least 

five consecutive years of experience as an attorney. It is best practice to have at least two years 

of experience in juvenile law. 
6

Pursuant to paragraph (A)(3), the initial training program(s) is to be approved by the 

Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board (Board). The program may be one course or 

multiple courses with at least six hours of instruction, equivalent to at least six CLE credits. When 

the Board is approving courses designed to address the requirements of this rule, it should 

consult with the Office of Children and Families in the Courts to ensure proper course 

requirements are being met. Additionally, for this initial training course(s), training already 

provided by the Office of Children and Families in the Courts or the Juvenile Court Judges’ 

Commission may meet the requirements of this Rule. 

For continuing education under paragraph (B), masters are to attend six hours of 

instruction from a course or multiple courses designed by the Office of Children and Families in 

the Courts. This is to ensure uniform training among masters. 

These requirements are additional requirements to the Pa.R.C.L.E. because they mandate 

specific training in juvenile dependency law. However, the credit hours received do count 

towards the total maximum required under Pa.R.C.L.E. 105.

Pursuant to paragraph (C), a master is to certify to the court that the requirements of this 

rule have been met prior to the appointment as master, and submit new affidavits every two years 

thereafter. 

Official Note: Rule 1182 adopted September 11, 2014, effective October 1, 2016. 

Committee Explanatory Reports:

Final Report explaining the provisions of Rule 182 published with the Court’s Order at 44 Pa.B. - (-

).