reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 2 - DISABILITY AND LANGUAGE ACCESS › LANGUAGE ACCESS › Appendix B - Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II) Grievance Procedure

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
This grievance procedure is established for the prompt
				  resolution of complaints alleging any violation of Title II of the Americans
				  with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the provision of services, programs, or
				  activities by the Unified Judicial System (UJS). If you require a reasonable
				  accommodation to complete this form, or need this form in an alternate format,
				  please contact [ADA coordinator information].
To file a complaint under the Grievance Procedure please take
				  the following steps:
1. Complete the complaint form and return to [ADA Coordinator
				  or designated individual]. Alternative means of filing complaints will be made
				  available for persons with disabilities upon request. The complaint should be
				  submitted as soon as possible but no later than sixty (60) calendar days after
				  the alleged violation.
2. Within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of the
				  complaint, the [ADA Coordinator or designated individual] will investigate the
				  complaint, including, meeting with the individual seeking an accommodation,
				  either in person or via telephone, to discuss the complaint and the possible
				  resolutions. Within fifteen (15) calendar days of the meeting, the [ADA
				  Coordinator or designated individual] will respond in writing, and where
				  appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print,
				  Braille, or audio. The response will explain the position of the [name of UJS
				  entity] and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.
3. If the response to the complaint does not satisfactorily
				  resolve the issue, the complainant may appeal the decision within fifteen (15)
				  calendar days after receipt of the response to [designated individual]. Within
				  fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the [designated
				  individual] will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and
				  possible resolutions. Within fifteen (15) calendar days after the meeting, the
				  [designated individual] will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a
				  format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the
				  complaint.
This grievance procedure is informal. An individual's
				  participation in this informal process is completely voluntary. Use of this
				  grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to and does not preclude a
				  complainant from pursuing other remedies available under law.
The UJS Policy on Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment
				  Opportunity also encompasses disability-related issues and provides complaint
				  procedures for UJS court users. Any employment-related disability
				  discrimination complaints will be governed by the UJS Policy on
				  Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity.
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Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 3 - JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA › JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA › Rule 301 - Judicial Council of Pennsylvania and Advisory Bodies

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Establishment and
				status.
the supreme Court may establish a Judicial Council or other
				advisory body to make recommendations to the Court on any matter referred to it
				by the Court. All actions of such bodies shall be subject to the supervision
				and approval of the Court.
(b)
Status of Other Judicial Bodies.
The provisions of this rule
				shall not abrogate or limit the power or duties of any procedural rules
				committee or other body authorized by the Court to recommend to the Court
				procedural or other rules.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS › Rule 501 - Court Administrator of Pennsylvania

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The Court Administrator of Pennsylvania
			 shall serve at the pleasure of the Supreme Court. The Court Administrator shall
			 be responsible for the prompt and proper disposition of the business of all
			 courts and magisterial district judges.
(b) The Court Administrator shall have a seal
			 with the words "Court Administrator of Pennsylvania" on an outside circle
			 surrounding the arms of the Commonwealth. A facsimile or pre-printed seal may
			 be used for all purposes in lieu of the original seal.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS › Rule 502 - Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
There shall be an Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts
				which shall be the office of the Court Administrator and shall be maintained at
				such place as directed by the Supreme Court. It shall be supervised by the
				Court Administrator of Pennsylvania who shall, either personally, by deputy, by
				other duly authorized personnel of the system, or by duly authorized agent,
				exercise the powers and perform the duties by law vested in and imposed upon
				the Administrative Office.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS › Rule 503 - Appointment and Termination of Personnel

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The Supreme Court may appoint and remove
			 the executive personnel of the Administrative Office and such other personnel
			 of the system as may be necessary and proper for the prompt and proper
			 disposition of business of all courts.
(b) The following provisions may be subject
			 to administrative parameters established by the Supreme Court:
(1)
Administrative Office.
The Court Administrator may appoint or terminate employees of the
			 Administrative Office as necessary and appropriate to ensure the prompt and
			 proper disposition of court-related business.
(2)
Appellate courts.
Hiring
			 and termination actions for appellate court staff positions require the
			 approval of a Justice of the Supreme Court or the President Judge of the
			 respective appellate courts.
(3)
Judicial districts.
The President Judge of a judicial district
			 may appoint or terminate state-level court employees within the judicial
			 district only with the written approval of the Court Administrator. In judicial
			 districts where the President Judge's authority is specifically granted to an
			 authorized judicial officer, administrative official, or administrative body by
			 order of the Supreme Court or the Pennsylvania Rules of Judicial
			 Administration, the authorized officer, official, or body may appoint or
			 terminate state-level court employees within the judicial district only with
			 the written approval of the Court Administrator.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS › Rule 504 - Powers of the Court Administrator

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Purchasing and financial
			 activities.
Under the direction of the Supreme Court, the Court
			 Administrator shall have the power:
(1) To
			 purchase goods or services for the system from funds appropriated to the
			 system, including the rental of space and requests for the construction or
			 modification of Commonwealth facilities to be utilized by the system.
(2) To approve or disapprove requests for the
			 purchase of goods or services by other personnel of the system from funds
			 appropriated to the system, including the rental of space and requests for the
			 construction or modification of Commonwealth facilities to be utilized by the
			 system.
(3) To approve or
			 disapprove transfers of unexpended funds from the purpose for which they were
			 originally budgeted to any other lawful purpose of the
			 system.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS › Rule 506 - Cooperation with Administrative Office

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Cooperation required.
All system and related personnel shall comply with all standing and special
			 requests or directives made by the Administrative Office for information and
			 statistical data relative to the work of the system and of the offices related
			 to and serving the system and relative to the expenditure of public monies for
			 their maintenance and operation.
(b)
Enforcement.
The Court
			 Administrator shall report any case of neglect or refusal to comply with
			 requests or directives made under subdivision (a) of this rule to the Supreme
			 Court at its first meeting following such neglect or refusal, giving full
			 particulars, including the names of the personnel involved, the nature of the
			 request or directive and the degree of neglect or refusal. The Chief Justice
			 may require the attendance of the personnel involved at an appropriate hearing,
			 held in accordance with the order of the Chief Justice. After opportunity for
			 hearing, the Chief Justice may enter such order as may be appropriate to the
			 circumstances of the case.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS › Rule 507 - Record Retention Schedules

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Offices Scheduled by the County
			 Records Committee.
Counties of the First Class.
(1)
Offices Scheduled by the County
			 Records Committee.
Common Pleas Court Prothonotaries, Clerks of
			 Courts, Clerks of Orphans' Courts, Registers of Wills, District Attorneys,
			 Sheriffs, Coroners, and Jury Commissioners or their Home-Rule equivalents when
			 disposing of records shall do so in conformity with the applicable record
			 retention schedules and the conditions stipulated therein promulgated from time
			 to time by the County Records Committee under the act of August 14, 1963
			 (P.L.
			 839, No. 407) (16 P.S. §§
										13001
et seq
).
(2)
Counties of the First
			 Class.
Prothonotaries, Clerks of Courts, Clerks of Orphans' Courts,
			 Registers of Wills, and Jury Commissioners of counties of the first class when
			 disposing of records shall do so in conformity with the record retention
			 schedules and the conditions stipulated therein promulgated from time to time
			 by the County Records Committee for counties of the second through eighth
			 classes under the act of August 14, 1963 (P.L. 839, No. 407) (16 P.S.
			 §§
										13001
et seq
),
			 as amended.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS › Rule 509 - Access to Financial Records

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General
			 policy
. Financial records of the Unified Judicial System are presumed to be
			 open to any member of the public for inspection or copying during established
			 business hours. The term "financial records" is defined as any account, contract,
			 invoice or equivalent dealing with:
1) the receipt
			 or disbursement of funds appropriated to the system; or
2) acquisition, use or disposal of services, supplies,
			 materials, equipment or property secured through funds appropriated to the
			 system.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 5 - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS › Rule 510 - Guardianship Tracking System

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Definitions.
The words and phrases used in this rule shall
			 have the following meanings:
Clerk
-The Clerk of the Orphans' Court.
The System
-The Guardianship Tracking System,
				or GTS, developed and administered by the Administrative Office as the
				electronic filing system to be used for filing reports and inventories required
				for guardianships of the person and guardianships of the estate, and for
				tracking data related to all statewide guardianship cases of adult
				incapacitated persons.
(b)
Participation and fees.
The System is the exclusive method for
			 electronically filing required reports and inventories for guardianships of the
			 person, and for guardianships of the estate, and for tracking data related to
			 statewide guardianship cases of adult incapacitated persons. Court-appointed
			 guardians may file reports and inventories in either an electronic format or a
			 physical paper format. Guardians who elect to file in an electronic format
			 shall use the System to file reports and inventories with the Clerk of the
			 court where the matter was adjudicated.
(1) In
			 order to participate in the System, a court-appointed guardian shall establish
			 a UJS web portal account at
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us
and
			 register for access by procedures established by the Administrative
			 Office.
(2) After access to the
			 System is obtained, the guardian bears the responsibility for all actions
			 associated with the guardian's user account.
(3) Establishment of an account by a guardian
			 shall constitute consent to participate in electronic filing, including
			 acceptance of electronic notices sent through the System. Use of the System by
			 a guardian shall constitute certification that the submission is
			 authorized.
(4) Any applicable
			 filing fees, as required by statute, court rule or order, shall be paid
			 electronically through the System at the time of submitting a filing. In
			 addition to any applicable filing fees, an online payment convenience fee for
			 use of the System may be imposed.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 6 - MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES › Rule 601 - Certification requirements of interested persons

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Magisterial district judges and
			 arraignment court magistrates who are not members of the bar of this
			 Commonwealth must complete a course of training and instruction in the duties
			 of their respective offices and pass an examination and be certified by the
			 Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts prior to assuming
			 office.
(b)
(1) Any interested individual may apply to
			 the Minor Judiciary Education Board to be enrolled in the course of training
			 and instruction and take the examination to be certified.
(2) Any individual who has successfully
			 completed the course of training and instruction and passed the examination,
			 but who has not served as a magisterial district judge or arraignment court
			 magistrate shall be certified for only a twenty-five-month period, and must
			 complete the continuing education course every year in order to maintain his or
			 her certification.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 6 - MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES › Rule 602 - Continuing Education Requirement

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Every
			 magisterial district judge shall complete a continuing education program each
			 year equivalent to not less than 32 hours per year in such courses or programs
			 as are approved by the Minor Judiciary Education Board. If a magisterial
			 district judge fails to meet these continuing education requirements, the judge
			 shall be subject to suspension by the Supreme Court until such time as evidence
			 of compliance with such requirements is submitted by the Board, but in no event
			 longer than six months at which time the failure to meet the continuing
			 education requirements shall be grounds for the Supreme Court, after a hearing,
			 to declare a vacancy in that district.
(b) The Minor Judiciary Education Board shall
			 conduct at least one continuing education practicum course, consisting of not
			 less than thirty-two hours, which each magisterial district judge, or senior
			 magisterial district judge, whether law trained or non-law trained, within
			 twelve months of first assuming office, shall be required to attend. The Board
			 shall approve the length of the program and the course of instruction.
			 Practicum exercises will be a part of the course of instruction. Senior
			 magisterial district judges may petition the Board for a waiver of this
			 requirement.
(c) No judge who is
			 suspended by Order of the Supreme Court or the Court of Judicial Discipline
			 shall be permitted to attend any continuing education course or program
			 approved by the Minor Judiciary Education Board during the term of suspension.
			 Notwithstanding the attendance requirements set forth in subdivision (a), the
			 judge shall be provided the opportunity to make up any required hours of
			 continuing education once the period of suspension has expired and an Order has
			 been issued returning the judge to active status.
(d) subdivision (c) shall not apply to any
			 judge suspended for failure to complete the program described in subdivision
			 (a).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 6 - MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES › Rule 603 - Continuing Education Requirement Senior Magisterial District Judges

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Any magisterial
			 district judge who has been certified by the Administrative Office as eligible
			 to serve as a senior magisterial district judge shall be admitted to the
			 continuing education program sponsored by the Minor Judiciary Education Board
			 every year as required by Rule 602.
(b) In the event the Court Administrator
			 notifies the Minor Judiciary Education Board that a senior magisterial district
			 judge has not accepted an assignment for a continuous period of two years, the
			 Minor Judiciary Education Board may refuse to enroll the senior magisterial
			 district judge in the continuing education program.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 6 - MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES › Rule 606 - Establishment of Offices and Minimum Standards for Court Facilities Used by a Magisterial District Judge

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
			 The governing body of the county shall establish a court facility for each
			 magisterial district judge whose magisterial district is situated in the county
			 at such locations within the county as may be approved by the president
			 judge.
(b) The governing body
			 shall, insofar as possible, ensure that each facility meets all the following
			 minimum standards:
(1) The facility shall be
			 located in a place that is convenient to the public and allows the business of
			 the court to be conducted with dignity, decorum, safety, and
			 dispatch.
(2) Such facility shall
			 not be located in or appurtenant to the residence or place of business of the
			 magisterial district judge. It shall have a courtroom and such other rooms as
			 may be necessary and shall be provided with necessary furniture and
			 equipment.
(3) A magisterial
			 district judge shall be provided with such staff, forms, supplies, and
			 equipment as shall be necessary for the proper performance of the judge's
			 duties. To maintain the dignity of the office, the judge shall be provided with
			 judicial robes.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 6 - MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES › Rule 607 - Realignment of Magisterial Districts

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Changes to the boundaries of a
			 magisterial district, or the elimination or creation of a magisterial district,
			 shall be subject to the provisions within this rule.
(b)
Notice.
Each of the
			 following provisions relating to notice shall apply:
(1) Written notice of the proposed change in
			 boundaries or elimination or creation shall be provided to all magisterial
			 district judges in the county and to each municipality and police department
			 contained in each of the affected districts.
(2) Notice of the proposal shall be provided
			 to the public by posting the proposal on the court or county official website
			 and by any additional means that the president judge deems appropriate. The
			 notice must be placed at least 30 days before the submission of the petition to
			 the Court Administrator and must invite members of the public to provide
			 written comment on the proposal. Any comments received must be attached to the
			 petition.
(3) A magisterial
			 district judge from any district whose boundaries will change or whose district
			 will be eliminated as a result of the proposal shall provide a written
			 statement that indicates whether the judge supports or opposes the
			 recommendation. These statements shall be attached to the petition. If a judge
			 affected by the proposed realignment fails to submit such a statement to the
			 president judge within 30 days of the distribution of the written notice in
			 subdivision (b)(1), the president judge shall note this fact in the
			 petition.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 6 - MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES › Rule 608 - Bonds of Magisterial District Judges

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
			 Each magisterial district judge is required to give bond in such sum, not less
			 than $25,000, as shall be directed by the president judge of the court of
			 common pleas of the judicial district in which is located the magisterial
			 district of the magisterial district judge, with one or more sufficient
			 sureties.
(b) The bond shall be:
(1) lodged with the prothonotary of the court
			 of common pleas;
(2) conditioned on
			 the faithful application of all moneys that come into the hands of the
			 magisterial district judge as an officer; and
(3) for the benefit of the Commonwealth and
			 its political subdivisions, and all persons who may sustain injury from the
			 magisterial district judge in the judge's official
			 capacity.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 6 - MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES › Rule 609 - Seal of a Magisterial District Judge

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
			 Each magisterial district shall have and use a seal, which shall be in the
			 custody of the magisterial district judge elected or appointed for the
			 magisterial district. The seal shall be used to authenticate the official acts
			 of the magisterial district judge. There shall be engraved on the seal the same
			 device as is engraved on the great seal of the State, the words "Commonwealth
			 of Pennsylvania," the name of the county, the number of the magisterial
			 district, and the words "Magisterial District Judge."
(b) A facsimile or preprinted seal may be
			 used for all purposes in lieu of the original seal.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 6 - MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES › Rule 610 - Use of Facsimile Signature by a Magisterial District Judge

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
A magisterial district judge may authorize the use of a
				facsimile signature in lieu of an original signature on certain documents
				listed by the Administrative Office. Such list shall be maintained by the
				Administrative Office. All documents not so designated and maintained by the
				Administrative Office shall require an original signature.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 6 - MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES › Rule 611 - Transfer of Dockets and Other Papers

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
			 Upon the expiration of a term of office, the effective date of a resignation or
			 removal from office, or upon an abandonment of the office or its duties, a
			 magisterial district judge shall deliver all dockets and other official or like
			 papers to the magisterial office established for the magisterial district in
			 which the former or inactive magisterial district judge maintained
			 residence.
(b) If a magisterial
			 district judge dies in office, personal representatives of the judge shall make
			 any delivery required under subdivision (a).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 6 - MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES › Rule 612 - Acts of Assembly Suspended

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
All Acts of Assembly or parts thereof inconsistent with
				Pa.R.J.A. 601-611 are suspended to the extent of such inconsistency.
See
Pa. Const. art. V, § 10(a), (c).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 7 - ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF JUDGES › Rule 701 - Assignment of Judges to Courts

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Conditions Applicable for the Certification of Senior Magisterial
				District Judges, Judges
,
or Justices.
(1) To be eligible for senior certification,
				a magisterial district judge, judge , or justice:
(i) shall have served as a magisterial
				district judge, judge , or justice, whether or not continuously or on the same
				court, by election or appointment for an aggregate period equaling ten
				years;
(ii) shall not have been
				defeated for reelection or retention; and
(iii) shall be at least sixty-five years of
				age on the date on which he or she begins senior service, or have a combination
				of years of judicial service plus age that totals at least seventy for
				magisterial district judges or at least eighty for judges and justices.
				However, this subdivision shall not apply to those serving in senior status as
				of January 4, 2010.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 7 - ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER OF JUDGES › Rule 702 - Divisional Assignment of Judges

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) Each
				judge appointed or elected to fill a vacancy in a court of common pleas having
				more than two divisions shall be initially assigned by the president judge of
				the court to be a member of a division of the court. Unless previously approved
				by the Supreme Court, such assignment shall be temporary only until such
				approval has been received.
(b) The
				president judge of a court of common pleas which consists of more than two
				divisions may make temporary assignments of judges from one division to another
				division of the court when required in order to expedite the business of the
				court. t he president judge shall not make any permanent re-assignment of a
				judge from one division to another division without the approval of the Supreme
				Court.
(c) For the purpose of
				transacting the business of a division for which a vote may be required, only
				those judges who have been permanently assigned to a division shall have the
				right to vote. A judge who is temporarily assigned to a division other than the
				division to which the judge is permanently assigned shall be entitled to vote
				only in the latter division.
(d)
				Where approval of the Supreme Court is required under this rule, it shall be
				requested by a petition by the president judge of the court of common pleas.
				Such request may be made prior to or subsequent to the making of an initial
				assignment or a reassignment. If made after assignment or re-assignment, the
				petition shall be filed with the prothonotary within ten (10) days from the
				date thereof. Such petition shall state the reasons the assignment or
				re-assignment is deemed necessary and proper in the interest of the effective
				administration of the business of the court. The Supreme Court on its own
				motion may make divisional assignments of judges as it deems
				appropriate.
(e) In courts of
				common pleas where the only division is an orphans' court division, the judge
				or judges not assigned to that division shall for purposes of this rule be
				considered as constituting a separate division.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 7 - ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › SUPERVISION AND ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › Rule 703 - Reports of Judges

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Policy Statement.
It is the policy of the unified judicial
				system that any matter at any stage of a proceeding be brought to a fair
				conclusion as promptly as possible, consistent with the character of the matter
				and the resources of the system. The requirements of this rule further specify
				and implement this policy in keeping with the Court's constitutionally mandated
				responsibility to oversee the prompt and proper disposition of the business of
				the Pennsylvania courts.
(b)
General Rule.
(1) Every
				judge shall keep a record of each matter that has been submitted to the judge
				for decision and which remains undecided.
(2) Every judge shall compile a semi-annual
				report stating whether the judge has any matter that has been submitted to the
				judge for decision and remains undecided for ninety days or more as of the last
				day of the reporting period. Each report shall include matters listed on prior
				reports which remain undecided.
(i)
Decision
includes the grant or denial of a pretrial,
				post-trial, or post-sentence motion or petition, non-jury verdict or decision,
				entry of an order or judgment, imposition of a sentence, or the filing of an
				opinion. A matter is submitted for decision even though briefs, transcripts, or
				reports have been ordered but have not yet been filed.
(ii)
Judge
means a judge of
				a court of common pleas or a judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court, active
				or senior, commissioned six months or longer.
(3) If there are no matters submitted to the
				judge which remain undecided for ninety days or more, the report shall so
				state.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 7 - ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › SUPERVISION AND ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › Rule 704 - Judicial leave

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(A)
Policy statement.
It is the policy of the Unified Judicial
				System that jurists are required to devote the necessary time and attention to
				their judicial duties. Absences due to a judge's illness or physical or mental
				disability shall not be abused and are subject to the review of the Supreme
				Court as part of the Court's constitutionally mandated responsibility to
				oversee the Unified Judicial System.
(B)
General rule.
(1)
Initial report of illness or
				physical or mental disability.
Any judge who, because of his or her
				illness or physical or mental disability, is unable to substantially perform
				his or her duties for a period of fifteen (15) days or more within any
				thirty-day period shall provide a written report to the President Judge and to
				the Court Administrator on a Rule 704 Report form supplied by the
				Administrative Office.
(a)
Content of
				the report.
The report shall include a description of the nature of
				the illness or physical or mental disability, the start date and expected
				length of the absence, and a certification from the treating physician,
				psychiatrist, or psychologist explaining how the illness or physical or mental
				disability renders the judge unable to substantially perform his or her
				duties.
(b)
Time for filing
				the report.
The report shall be submitted within ten (10) days of the
				date the judge becomes aware he or she will be absent for fifteen (15) days or
				more, but in any event no later than ten (10) days after the fifteenth day of
				the judge's absence.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 7 - ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › SUPERVISION AND ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › Rule 705 - Seniority of Judges

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Seniority between elected and appointed judges
. Elected judges
				shall have seniority over appointed judges.
(b)
Seniority among elected
				judges
. The seniority of elected judges shall be determined on the
				basis of the date of election, if service is continuous on the same court.
				Service by appointment shall not be considered in computing seniority among
				elected judges.
(c)
Seniority among appointed judges
. The seniority of appointed
				judges, for the duration of appointment, shall be computed from the date of
				appointment, if service is continuous on the same court.
(d)
Simultaneous election or
				appointment
. Should any two judges of the same court be elected or
				appointed at the same time, they shall cast lots forthwith for priority of
				commission and seniority before the Chief Justice or the president judge of the
				court in which they are to serve, and certify the results to the
				Governor.
(e)
Judges of
				merged courts
. Where two or more courts are merged, service on any one
				of the constituent courts shall be deemed to be service on the surviving court
				for the purpose of determining length of continuous service on the surviving
				court under this rule.
(f)
Judges of new courts
. The initial judges of a newly created
				court shall be deemed to be elected judges for the purposes of this rule
				regardless of the method of their initial selection. If a statute creating a
				court shall specify the seniority among the initial judges of the court such
				statute shall control over any inconsistent provision of this rule.
(g)
Certification of
				Seniority.
Where priority of commission or seniority of a judge is
				determined under this rule, the Chief Justice or the president judge of the
				court in question shall certify the same to the Administrative Office, which
				shall record such information.
(h)
Waiver of seniority
. A judge may waive in writing seniority to
				which he is otherwise entitled under this rule with respect to any specific
				right, privilege, immunity or position, but no revocation of any such waiver
				shall affect any rights or status acquired while such waiver is in
				effect.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 7 - ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › SUPERVISION AND ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › Rule 706 - Designation of Chief Justice and President Judges

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Courts of Seven or Less
				Judges.
The Chief Justice and president judges shall be the judges
				longest in continuous service.
(b)
Courts of Eight or More Judges.
President judges shall be
				selected for five-year terms by the members of their respective courts. No
				president judge may serve more than one term without an intervening full
				elected term served by another president judge.
(c)
Changes in Size of
				Court.
(1)
Increasing to
				Eight or More Judges.
The incumbent president judge shall continue in
				the leadership role for a period of five years from the effective date of an
				expansion.
(2)
Decreasing
				to Seven or Less Judges.
The incumbent president judge shall continue
				in the leadership role throughout the unexpired portion of that judge's term as
				president judge. Any vacancy during that time or at the conclusion of that term
				shall be filled by the judge longest in continuous service on the court, per
				subdivision (a).
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 7 - ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › SUPERVISION AND ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES › Rule 707 - Selection of Administrative Judges

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Divisions of a Court.
Each division of a court having three or more judges shall be presided over and
				administered by an administrative judge, who shall be one of the judges of the
				court of which the division is a part and shall be selected by the Supreme
				Court to serve for a term of three years or at the pleasure of the Court. Upon
				the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of administrative judge, the
				president judge shall notify the Supreme Court immediately.
(b)
Resignation and Temporary
				Inability.
An administrative judge may resign such position and remain
				a member of the division.
(c)
Maintenance of Records.
The Administrative Office shall
				maintain records of the determination or selection of administrative judges,
				any term for which they may be selected, and all other pertinent information
				relating thereto.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 17 - JUDGES AS WITNESSES › JUDGES AS WITNESSES › Rule 1701 - Appearance of judge or district justice as character witness

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) For purposes of this rule, judge and
				district justice includes those judicial officers in active judicial service or
				senior status.
(b) No subpoena to
				compel a judge or district justice to testify as a character witness shall be
				issued or enforced unless the issuance of the subpoena shall have been
				specially allowed by the Supreme Court pursuant to this rule.
(c) Petitions for allowance of a subpoena
				shall be filed in the office of the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court for the
				Eastern District, shall be verified and shall set forth:
(1) The name of the court and the term and
				number of the proceeding in which the witness is to appear, together with a
				brief description of the nature of the proceeding.
(2) The name and judicial office of the
				witness.
(3) Facts demonstrating
				that the character testimony to be given by the witness will not be merely
				cumulative and that the rights of petitioner will be unduly prejudiced by the
				application of the general rule prohibiting the appearance of judicial officers
				as character witnesses.
(4) A copy
				of the desired form of subpoena.
(5) A certificate of service showing service
				of the petition upon the witness and upon all parties to the proceedings
				below.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 19 - MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Rule 1901 - Prompt Disposition of Matters; Termination of Inactive Cases

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
Policy
.-It is the policy of the Unified Judicial System to
				bring each pending matter to a final conclusion as promptly as possible
				consistent with the character of the matter and the resources of the
				system.
(b) Except for actions
				governed by Pa.R.Civ.P. 1915.4(b) (Prompt Disposition of Custody Cases) and
				230.2 (Termination of Inactive Cases), at least once a year each court of
				common pleas shall initiate proceedings to terminate pre-adjudication matters
				which have been inactive for two years or more. The court of common pleas shall
				also initiate proceedings for any applicable civil or criminal case pending
				before local magisterial district courts or the Philadelphia Municipal Court,
				or alternatively, the court of common pleas shall implement local rules
				providing for the initiation of proceedings before the minor courts. In either
				event, at least once a year, each court of common pleas shall provide data
				about the proceedings to terminate inactive cases pending before the court and
				the minor judiciary to the Court Administrator. The data must be in such format
				as requested by the Administrative Office.
(c)
Notice of Proposed
				Termination.
(1) For each matter
				identified by the court pursuant to subdivision (b), the court shall serve a
				written notice of proposed termination on counsel of record, and on the parties
				if not represented, at least thirty days prior to the date of the proposed
				termination. The notice shall contain a brief identification of the matter to
				be terminated, the date of the proposed termination, and the procedure to avoid
				termination.
(2) The notice shall
				be served:
(i) electronically, when permitted
				by existing legal authority;
(ii)
				in person; or
(iii) by mail to the
				last address of record.
(3) The notice shall be in the following
				form:
(Caption)
NOTICE OF PROPOSED TERMINATION OF COURT CASE
The court intends to terminate this case without further
				  notice because the docket shows no activity in the case for at least two
				  years.
You may stop the court from terminating the case by filing a
				  statement of intention to proceed. The statement of intention to proceed should
				  be filed with________________________________________________________ at
(Appropriate Filing Office)
______________________________________________________________
Address
on or before___________________________
Date
IF YOU FAIL TO FILE THE REQUIRED STATEMENT OF INTENTION TO
				  PROCEED, THE CASE WILL BE TERMINATED BY THE COURT WITHOUT FURTHER
				  NOTICE.
BY THE COURT:
____________________________
				  ______________________________________
Date of this Notice Officer
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 19 - MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Rule 1902 - Record of asbestos litigation. Prothonotary

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The prothonotary shall maintain a record of all asbestos
				  actions filed by a separate docket, docketing code or other appropriate means
				  to allow the administrative monitoring of such actions.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 19 - MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Rule 1904 - Medical professional liability actions

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The prothonotary of each judicial
				district shall maintain a docket of all medical professional liability actions
				by separate docketing code or other appropriate means. When the docket is
				established by docketing code, the code shall be "Civil Action-Medical
				Professional Liability Action."
(b)
				The prothonotary shall record on the medical professional liability action
				docket:
(1) The separate findings of the
				trier of fact, including, where applicable:
(i) past damages in lump sums for "medical
				and other related expenses," "loss of earnings," and "noneconomic
				loss,"
(ii) future damages in lump
				sums for "loss of earnings or earning capacity" and "noneconomic loss,"
				and
(iii) future damages by year
				for "medical and other related expenses," and
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 19 - MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Rule 1905 - Investment Advisory Board

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a)
General.
There is hereby established the Investment Advisory
				Board ("Board"), which shall consist of nine voting members. The Supreme Court
				shall appoint five members and the Board's chair. The Disciplinary Board of the
				Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security Board, the
				Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board and the Pennsylvania Board of Law
				Examiners ("the program boards") shall each appoint one member to serve on the
				Board. The Court Administrator and Counsel to the Supreme Court shall serve as
				ex officio members to the Board. All members of the Board shall serve at the
				pleasure of the Supreme Court.
(b)
Qualifications.
To the extent possible, all appointees to the
				Board shall possess knowledge and expertise in investments and knowledge of
				public sector investment funds. If no current program board member is
				professionally qualified or able to serve on the Board, the program board will
				appoint a prior Board member or a non-program board member with the requisite
				expertise.
(c)
Responsibilities.
The Board shall provide recommendations to
				the Supreme Court with regard to the development and implementation of an
				investment policy for the program boards that will maximize investment yields
				while minimizing risk. In addition, the Board shall provide oversight and
				monitoring of the activity of the investment portfolios. On a fiscal year
				basis, the Board shall provide the Supreme Court with a review of its
				activities and appropriate recommendations for further action. The Board's
				fiscal year shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30.
(d)
Procedure.
All actions
				of the Board shall be determined by majority vote. The Court Administrator of
				Pennsylvania will have no voting power except in the case of a tie. Counsel to
				the Supreme Court will serve as a non-voting member.
(e)
Administrative.
The
				Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts shall provide necessary
				administrative assistance to the Board and shall pay the cost thereof as well
				as the necessary travel and other expenses of the members of the Board, all
				staff and any representative of the Supreme Court. The AOPC shall be reimbursed
				by the program boards for their pro rata share of necessary travel and other
				expenses.
(f)
Immunity.
Members of the Board, its staff and any other
				representative of the Supreme Court to the Board shall be immune from civil
				suit for any conduct in the course of their official duties. Legal costs
				incurred by Board members in defense of such matters will be borne by the Board
				but passed through to the program boards in accordance with Rule 1905(e). Such
				costs must be approved by the Board prior to being obligated for payment or
				reimbursement.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 19 - MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Rule 1906 - Prohibited communication with jurists

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
No litigant or any other participant in a legal matter or
				  proceeding shall send a communication related thereto to the home address of a
				  jurist. Such communications will not be reviewed and will have no legal or
				  procedural significance. The communication will not be returned or forwarded,
				  but will be destroyed.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 19 - MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › CONSTABLES › Rule 1907.1 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
"Constable." Includes any elected or appointed constable or
				  deputy constable engaged to perform services for any court of the unified
				  judicial system.
Pennsylvania Code › Title 201 - RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 19 - MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › CONSTABLES › Rule 1907.2 - Policies, procedures and standards of conduct

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
(a) The Court Administrator shall establish
				uniform policies, procedures and standards of conduct for constables who
				perform services for the courts. These policies, procedures and standards of
				conduct shall be mandatory for all judicial districts and constables engaged to
				perform services for any court of the unified judicial system.
(b) The president judge of a judicial
				district is authorized to enact policies and procedures consistent with those
				established by the Court Administrator in section (a) as local rules pursuant
				to Pa.R.J.A. No. 103(c). Any policies and procedures enacted by the president
				judge of a judicial district that may deviate from the uniform policies,
				procedures and standards of conduct for constables established by the Court
				Administrator must be approved by the Court Administrator before promulgation.
See
Pa.R.J.A. No. 505(1).
(c) President Judges are responsible for
				implementing the provisions set forth in this rule within their respective
				judicial districts.