onecle - legal research

State Law

Federal Law

Judiciary And Judicial Procedure - 42 Pa. Cons. Stat.

Legal Research Home > Pennsylvania Statutes

    PART I. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
    Chapter 1. General Provisions
  • § 101.  Short title of title.
    This title shall be known and may be cited as the "Judicial Code." ...
  • § 102.  Definitions.
    Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this title which are applicable to specific provisions of this title, the following words and phrases ...
  • § 103.  Principles of construction.
    (a) Necessary powers conferred.--The provisions of this title shall be construed so as to vest in the unified judicial system and in the personnel of ...

  • PART II. ORGANIZATION
    SUBPART A. COURTS AND DISTRICT JUSTICES

    ARTICLE A. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
    Chapter 3. General Structure and Powers
    Subchapter A. Unified Judicial System
  • § 301.  Unified judicial system.
    The judicial power of the Commonwealth shall be vested in a unified judicial system consisting of the: (1) Supreme Court. (2) Superior Court. (3) Commonwealth ...

  • Subchapter B. General Provisions Relating to Courts
  • § 321.  Court of record.
    Except as otherwise provided in this subpart every court of this Commonwealth shall be a court of record with all the qualities and incidents of ...
  • § 322.  Seal.
    Each court of this Commonwealth shall have a seal engraved with the name of the court and such other inscription as may be specified by ...
  • § 323.  Powers.
    Every court shall have power to issue, under its judicial seal, every lawful writ and process necessary or suitable for the exercise of its jurisdiction ...
  • § 324.  Sessions and terms of court.
    Except as otherwise prescribed by general rule or rule of court each court shall be in session as often as its judges shall deem necessary ...
  • § 325.  Chief Justice and president judges.
    (a) General rule.--The Chief Justice of Pennsylvania and the president judges of all courts with seven or less judges shall be the judge longest in ...
  • § 326.  Quorum.
    (a) Supreme Court.--A majority of the Supreme Court shall be a quorum of the court. (b) Other courts.--The quorum requisite to hold a session of ...
  • § 327.  Oaths and acknowledgments.
    Each judicial officer, each clerk of court, and such other personnel of the system and jurors as may be designated by or pursuant to general ...

  • ARTICLE B. APPELLATE COURTS
    Chapter 5. Organization of Appellate Courts
    Subchapter A. Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
  • § 501.  Supreme Court.
    The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania shall consist of the Chief Justice of Pennsylvania and six associate justices. The court shall be the highest court of ...
  • § 502.  General powers of Supreme Court.
    The Supreme Court shall have and exercise the powers vested in it by the Constitution of Pennsylvania, including the power generally to minister justice to ...
  • § 503.  Reassignment of matters.
    (a) General rule.--The Supreme Court may by general rule provide for the assignment and reassignment of classes of matters among the several courts of this ...
  • § 504.  Seat of court.
    The regular sessions of the Supreme Court shall be held in the facility specified in section 3701 (relating to Pennsylvania Judicial Center) and elsewhere as ...

  • Subchapter B. Superior Court of Pennsylvania
  • § 541.  Superior Court.
    The Superior Court of Pennsylvania shall consist of 15 judges. (June 11, 1980, P.L.213, No.63, eff. imd.) ...
  • § 542.  Powers of Superior Court.
    The Superior Court shall have all powers necessary or appropriate in aid of its jurisdiction which are agreeable to the usages and principles of law. ...
  • § 543.  Seat of court.
    The regular sessions of the Superior Court shall be held at the cities of Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and elsewhere as prescribed by general rule ...
  • § 544.  Additional judges.
    (a) Constitution.--In order to increase the number of Superior Court judges so that the court shall hereafter be composed of 15 judges, pursuant to sections ...

  • Subchapter C. Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
  • § 561.  Commonwealth Court.
    The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania shall consist of nine judges. (Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days) ...
  • § 562.  Powers of Commonwealth Court.
    The Commonwealth Court shall have power to issue, under its judicial seal, every lawful writ and process necessary or suitable for the exercise of its ...
  • § 563.  Seat of court.
    (a) Regular sessions.--The regular sessions of the Commonwealth Court shall be held at the seat of government and elsewhere as provided in subsection (b). Each ...
  • § 564.  Evidentiary hearings.
    In any matter which requires the taking of testimony, the President Judge of the Commonwealth Court may assign a judge of the court, or another ...

  • Chapter 7. Jurisdiction of Appellate Courts
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 701.  Scope of subchapter.
    (a) General rule.--The provisions of this subchapter shall apply to all courts of this Commonwealth, including the courts of common pleas when sitting as appellate ...
  • § 702.  Interlocutory orders.
    (a) Appeals authorized by law.--An appeal authorized by law from an interlocutory order in a matter shall be taken to the appellate court having jurisdiction ...
  • § 702.1. Expedited appeals in eminent domain proceedings.
  • § 703.  Place and form of filing appeals.
    Appeals, petitions for review, petitions for permission to appeal and petitions for allowance of appeal shall be filed in such office and in such form ...
  • § 704.  Waiver of objections to jurisdiction.
    (a) General rule.--The failure of an appellee to file an objection to the jurisdiction of an appellate court within such time as may be specified ...
  • § 705.  Transfers between intermediate appellate courts.
    The Superior Court and the Commonwealth Court shall have power pursuant to general rules, on their own motion or upon petition of any party, to ...
  • § 706.  Disposition of appeals.
    An appellate court may affirm, modify, vacate, set aside or reverse any order brought before it for review, and may remand the matter and direct ...
  • § 707.  Lien of judgments for money.
    Any judgment or other order of the Supreme Court, the Superior Court or the Commonwealth Court for the payment of money shall not be a ...
  • § 708.  Improvident administrative appeals and other matters.
    (a) General rule.--No objection to a governmental determination shall be defeated by reason of error in the form of the objection or the office of ...

  • Subchapter B. Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
  • § 721.  Original jurisdiction.
    The Supreme Court shall have original but not exclusive jurisdiction of all cases of: (1) Habeas corpus. (2) Mandamus or prohibition to courts of inferior ...
  • § 722.  Direct appeals from courts of common pleas.
    The Supreme Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of the courts of common pleas in the following classes of cases: (1) ...
  • § 723.  Appeals from Commonwealth Court.
    (a) General rule.--The Supreme Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of the Commonwealth Court entered in any matter which was originally ...
  • § 724.  Allowance of appeals from Superior and Commonwealth Courts.
    § 724. Allowance of appeals from Superior and Commonwealth Courts. (a) General rule.--Except as provided by section 9781(f) (relating to limitation on additional appellate review), ...
  • § 725.  Direct appeals from constitutional and judicial agencies.
    § 725. Direct appeals from constitutional and judicial agencies. The Supreme Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of the following constitutional ...
  • § 726.  Extraordinary jurisdiction.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Supreme Court may, on its own motion or upon petition of any party, in any matter pending before ...
  • § 727.  Special tribunal.
    (a) General rule.--A justice seeking review of a decision of the Court of Judicial Discipline pursuant to section 18 of Article V of the Constitution ...

  • Subchapter C. Jurisdiction of Superior Court
  • § 741.  Original jurisdiction.
    The Superior Court shall have no original jurisdiction, except in cases of mandamus and prohibition to courts of inferior jurisdiction where such relief is ancillary ...
  • § 742.  Appeals from courts of common pleas.
    The Superior Court shall have exclusive appellate jurisdiction of all appeals from final orders of the courts of common pleas, regardless of the nature of ...

  • Subchapter D. Jurisdiction of Commonwealth Court
  • § 761.  Original jurisdiction.
    (a) General rule.--The Commonwealth Court shall have original jurisdiction of all civil actions or proceedings: (1) Against the Commonwealth government, including any officer thereof, acting ...
  • § 762.  Appeals from courts of common pleas.
    (a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the Commonwealth Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of the courts of common ...
  • § 763.  Direct appeals from government agencies.
    (a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (c), the Commonwealth Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of government agencies in the ...
  • § 764.  Election contests and other matters.
    The Commonwealth Court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of: (1) Contested nominations and elections of the second class under the act of June 3, 1937 ...

  • ARTICLE C. COURTS OF COMMON PLEAS
    Chapter 9. Organization and Jurisdiction of Courts of Common
    Pleas
    Subchapter A. Judicial Districts
  • § 901.  Judicial districts.
    (a) General rule.--The Commonwealth is divided into 60 judicial districts, numbered and composed as follows: First.--City and County of Philadelphia. Second.--County of Lancaster. Third.--County of ...

  • Subchapter B. Organization of Courts of Common Pleas
  • § 911.  Courts of common pleas.
    (a) General rule.--There shall be one court of common pleas for each judicial district of this Commonwealth consisting of the following number of judges: Number ...
  • § 912.  Powers of courts of common pleas.
    Every court of common pleas shall have power to issue, under its judicial seal, every lawful writ and process to or to be served or ...
  • § 913.  Seats of courts.
    The regular sessions of each court of common pleas shall be held at the county seat of each county comprising the judicial district and elsewhere ...
  • § 914.  Reimbursement for common pleas court costs.
    For the purposes of reimbursement for common pleas court judge authorized positions, no county shall receive less than 77.5% of the actual reimbursement for court ...
  • § 915.  Proportional reduction.
    Notwithstanding the provisions of section 914 (relating to reimbursement for common pleas court costs), in the event that the total county court reimbursement qualifying for ...

  • Subchapter C. Jurisdiction of Courts of Common Pleas
  • § 931.  Original jurisdiction and venue.
    (a) General rule.--Except where exclusive original jurisdiction of an action or proceeding is by statute or by general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating ...
  • § 932.  Appeals from minor judiciary.
    Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each court of common pleas shall have ...
  • § 933.  Appeals from government agencies.
    (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each court of common pleas ...
  • § 934.  Writs of certiorari.
    Unless and until changed by general rule, the judges of the courts of common pleas, within their respective judicial districts, shall have power, in addition ...

  • Subchapter D. Court Divisions
  • § 951.  Court divisions.
    (a) Philadelphia County.--The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County shall have the following divisions: (1) Trial division. (2) Orphans' court division. (3) Family court ...
  • § 952.  Status of court divisions.
    The divisions of a court of common pleas are administrative units composed of those judges of the court responsible for the transaction of specified classes ...
  • § 953.  Administrative judges of divisions.
    Each division of a court of common pleas shall have an administrative judge who shall assist the president judge of the court in supervising and ...

  • Subchapter E. Sections of the Staff of the Court
  • § 961.  Domestic relations section.
    Each court of common pleas shall have a domestic relations section, which shall consist of such probation officers and other staff of the court as ...
  • § 962.  Other sections.
    Each court of common pleas shall have such other sections as may be provided or prescribed by law. ...

  • ARTICLE D. MINOR COURTS
    Chapter 11. Community and Municipal Courts
    Subchapter A. Community Courts
  • § 1101.  Community courts.
    (a) General rule.--There shall be one community court for each judicial district of this Commonwealth which has elected to establish and which has not elected ...
  • § 1102.  Establishment or discontinuance of community courts.
    (a) General rule.--The question whether a community court shall be established or discontinued in any judicial district shall be placed upon the ballot in a ...
  • § 1103.  Powers of community courts.
    Every judge of a community court shall have all the powers of a judge of the municipal court or traffic court, or of a magisterial ...
  • § 1104.  Seats of courts.
    The regular sessions of each community court shall be held at such location within the judicial district as may be approved by the president judge ...
  • § 1105.  Jurisdiction and venue.
    (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters) each community court shall have ...
  • § 1106.  Lien of judgments.
    A judgment of a community court shall not operate as a lien on real property until a transcript of the record showing a final judgment ...

  • Subchapter B. Philadelphia Municipal Court
  • § 1121.  Philadelphia Municipal Court.
    The Philadelphia Municipal Court shall consist of 25 judges. (Feb. 14, 1997, P.L.3, No.2) 1997 Amendment. Section 4 of Act 2 provided that the amendment ...
  • § 1122.  Seat of court.
    The regular sessions of the Philadelphia Municipal Court shall be held at such locations within the first judicial district as may be approved by the ...
  • § 1123.  Jurisdiction and venue.
    (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), the Philadelphia Municipal Court shall ...
  • § 1124.  Lien of judgments.
    Judgment recovered in the Philadelphia Municipal Court shall be a lien upon property in the same manner and to the same extent that judgment recovered ...
  • § 1125.  Substitute bail commissioners.
    The President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court may appoint qualified attorneys who are court employees to act as substitute bail commissioners during an emergency ...
  • § 1126.  Masters.
    The President Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court may appoint attorneys who are members of the Pennsylvania Bar to serve as masters in proceedings under ...

  • Subchapter C. Pittsburgh Magistrates Court
  • § 1141.  Pittsburgh Magistrates Court.
    The Pittsburgh Magistrates Court shall be a court not of record and shall consist of such a number of judges, not less than five nor ...
  • § 1142.  Seat of court.
    The regular sessions of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court shall be held at such locations within the City of Pittsburgh as may be designated by ordinance ...
  • § 1143.  Jurisdiction and venue.
    (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters) the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court shall ...
  • § 1144.  Lien of judgment.
    A judgment of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court shall not operate as a lien on real property until a transcript of the record showing a final ...

  • Chapter 13. Traffic Courts
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 1301.  Seats of traffic courts.
    The regular sessions of a traffic court shall be held at such locations within the political subdivision for which the court is established as may ...
  • § 1302.  Jurisdiction and venue.
    (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each traffic court shall have ...
  • § 1303.  Signatures and dockets.
    Facsimile signatures of traffic court judges may be used for all purposes in lieu of their original signatures, except on affidavits for warrants of arrest ...

  • Subchapter B. Traffic Court of Philadelphia
  • § 1321.  Traffic Court of Philadelphia.
    The Traffic Court of Philadelphia shall be a court not of record and shall consist of seven judges. The court is established for the City ...

  • Subchapter C. Traffic Court of Pittsburgh
  • § 1331.  Traffic Court of Pittsburgh.
    The Traffic Court of Pittsburgh shall be a court not of record and shall be held by such of the judges of the Pittsburgh Magistrates ...
  • § 1332.  Operations of traffic court.
    The presiding magistrate shall preside over and supervise the work of the Traffic Court of Pittsburgh. In the absence of the presiding magistrate designated by ...

  • Subchapter D. Optional Traffic Courts
  • § 1341.  Third class city traffic courts authorized.
    Any city of the third class may establish by ordinance a traffic court which shall be a court not of record. The court shall be ...
  • § 1342.  Operations of optional traffic courts.
    The magisterial district judge designated by the president judge shall preside over and supervise the work of the traffic court. The traffic court shall be ...

  • ARTICLE E. DISTRICT JUSTICES
    Chapter 15. District Justices
    Subchapter A. Magisterial Districts
  • § 1501.  Definitions.
    The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this ...
  • § 1502.  Classification of districts.
    (a) Second class counties.--The classes of magisterial districts in judicial districts coextensive with counties of the second class shall be determined as follows: (1) Magisterial ...
  • § 1503.  Reestablishment of districts.
    (a) General rule.--In each year following that in which the Federal decennial census is officially reported as required by Federal law the court shall reestablish ...

  • Subchapter B. Magisterial District Judges
  • § 1511.  District justices.
    There shall be one district justice in each magisterial district. ...
  • § 1512.  Seal.
    Each magisterial district shall have a seal, which shall be in the custody of the magisterial district judge elected or appointed for such district. The ...
  • § 1513.  Powers of magisterial district judges.
    Every magisterial district judge shall have power to issue every lawful process to or to be served or enforced by system and related personnel and ...
  • § 1514.  Offices.
    The governing body of the county shall establish an office or offices for each magisterial district judge at such locations within the county as may ...
  • § 1515.  Jurisdiction and venue.
    (a) Jurisdiction.--Except as otherwise prescribed by general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), magisterial district judges shall, under procedures prescribed ...
  • § 1516.  Lien of judgment.
    A judgment of a magisterial district judge shall not operate as a lien on real property until a transcript of the record showing a final ...
  • § 1517.  Salary (Repealed).
    § 1517. Salary (Repealed). 1987 Repeal. Section 1517 was repealed July 3, 1987, P.L.193, No.28, effective immediately. ...
  • § 1518.  Philadelphia Municipal Court (Repealed).
    § 1518. Philadelphia Municipal Court (Repealed). 1987 Repeal. Section 1518 was repealed July 3, 1987, P.L.193, No.28, effective immediately. ...
  • § 1519.  Philadelphia Traffic Court (Repealed).
    § 1519. Philadelphia Traffic Court (Repealed). 1987 Repeal. Section 1519 was repealed July 3, 1987, P.L.193, No.28, effective immediately. ...
  • § 1520.  Adjudication alternative program.
    (a) General rule.--Except for cases charging offenses under Titles 75 (relating to vehicles) and 34 (relating to game), the magisterial district judge may, upon hearing ...
  • § 1521.  Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition for summary offenders (Repealed).
    § 1521. Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition for summary offenders (Repealed). 1987 Repeal. Section 1521 was repealed July 1, 1987, P.L.180, No.21, effective immediately. ...
  • § 1522.  Notice of summary cases involving juveniles.
    (a) General rule.--Whenever an individual who is under 18 years of age and is not emancipated is charged with a summary offense for which jurisdiction ...
  • § 1523.  Parental or legal guardian attendance required at juvenile hearings.
    § 1523. Parental or legal guardian attendance required at juvenile hearings. (a) Order to attend.--In summary proceedings before a magisterial district judge or judge of ...

  • ARTICLE F. COURT OF JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE
    Chapter 16. Court of Judicial Discipline of Pennsylvania
  • § 1601.  Court of Judicial Discipline.
    In accordance with section 18 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the Court of Judicial Discipline shall consist of eight persons selected as ...
  • § 1602.  Composition of court.
    (a) General rule.--The Court of Judicial Discipline shall consist of: (1) Two judges of the Superior Court, the Commonwealth Court or the courts of common ...
  • § 1603.  Organization and operation.
    The Court of Judicial Discipline shall appoint staff and prepare and administer its own budget as provided by law and undertake actions needed to ensure ...
  • § 1604.  Powers of Court of Judicial Discipline.
    The Court of Judicial Discipline shall be a court of record with all the attendant duties and powers appropriate to its function as provided by ...
  • § 1605.  Seat of court.
    The regular sessions of the Court of Judicial Discipline shall be held at the seat of government and elsewhere as provided by rule of court. ...
  • § 1606.  Official immunity.
    Members of the Court of Judicial Discipline and the staff of the court shall be absolutely immune from suit for all conduct in the course ...
  • SUBPART B. OTHER STRUCTURAL PROVISIONS

    Chapter 17. Governance of the System
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 1701.  General supervisory and administrative authority of the Supreme Court.
    SUBPART B OTHER STRUCTURAL PROVISIONS Chapter 17. Governance of the System 18. Compensation (Repealed) 19. Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts 21. Judicial Boards and Commissions ...
  • § 1702.  Rule making procedures.
    (a) General rule.--Subject to the provisions of subsection (b), the Supreme Court and all agencies or units of the unified judicial system when exercising the ...
  • § 1703.  Meeting procedures.
    The Supreme Court and all other agencies and units of the unified judicial system when exercising the powers to recommend or adopt general rules or ...

  • Subchapter B. Specific Powers of the Governing Authority of
    the System
  • § 1721.  Delegation of powers.
    (a) General rule.--The Supreme Court may from time to time delegate to any agency or unit of the unified judicial system such of the supervisory ...
  • § 1722.  Adoption of administrative and procedural rules.
    (a) General rule.--The governing authority shall have the power to prescribe and modify general rules governing: (1) Practice, procedure and the conduct of all courts, ...
  • § 1723.  General supervisory and administrative authority.
    The governing authority shall exercise general supervisory and administrative authority over all courts and magisterial district judges. (Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days) ...
  • § 1724.  Personnel of the system.
    (a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the governing authority shall exercise general supervisory and administrative authority over the personnel of the system, including ...
  • § 1725.  Establishment of fees and charges.
    (a) General rule.--(Repealed). (b) Procedure.--(Repealed). (c) Counties of the first class.-- (1) The following fees shall be received by the clerks of orphans' courts of ...
  • § 1725.1. Costs.
    § 1725.2. Assumption of summary conviction costs by county.
    § 1725.3. Criminal laboratory user fee.
    § 1725.4. Fee increases and automation fee.
  • § 1726.  Establishment of taxable costs.
    (a) Standards for costs.--The governing authority shall prescribe by general rule the standards governing the imposition and taxation of costs, including the items which constitute ...
  • § 1726.1. Forensic examination costs for sexual offenses.
    § 1726.2. Criminal prosecutions involving domestic violence.
  • § 1727.  Budget and financial matters.
    The governing authority shall have power to: (1) Review the tentative budget request of the system prepared by the Administrative Office pursuant to section 3522 ...
  • § 1728.  Recognition of related organizations.
    (a) General rule.--The governing authority shall have power on application to identify the several conferences or associations which are the most broadly representative of each ...
  • § 1729.  Conferences and institutes.
    The governing authority shall have power by general rule or by order to provide for the organization and convening on a regular or special basis ...
  • § 1730.  Boards, councils, commissions and committees.
    The governing authority shall have power by general rules or by order to establish and discontinue boards, councils, commissions, committees or other bodies composed of ...

  • Subchapter C. Compensation
  • § 1741.  Compensation of judges.
    (a) Base salaries.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary: (1) A person who is elected or appointed to a term as a justice ...
  • § 1742.  Exclusive jurisdiction of Supreme Court.
    The Pennsylvania Supreme Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear any challenge to or to render a declaratory judgment concerning the constitutionality of this subchapter. ...

  • Chapter 18. Compensation (Repealed)
    § 1801 - § 1810 (Repealed).
    Chapter 19. Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts
  • § 1901.  Court Administrator of Pennsylvania.
    The Supreme Court shall appoint and may remove a Court Administrator of Pennsylvania. Cross References. Section 1901 is referred to in section 102 of this ...
  • § 1902.  Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
    A reference in any statute to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts shall be deemed a reference to the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania who shall, ...
  • § 1903.  Staff.
    The Supreme Court may appoint such subordinate administrators and staff as may be necessary and proper for the prompt and proper disposition of the business ...
  • § 1904.  Availability of criminal charge information in child custody proceedings.
    § 1904. Availability of criminal charge information in child custody proceedings. (a) Establishment of criminal charge information system.-- The Administrative Office shall establish and maintain ...
  • § 1905.  County-level court administrators.
    (a) Transition.--Effective on a date established by the Supreme Court, the offices of district court administrators, deputy court administrators, special courts administrators, associate and assistant ...
  • § 1906.  Senior judge operational support grants.
    (a) Program.--The Court Administrator of Pennsylvania shall create a program to defray the costs imposed on counties by the rules of judicial administration for facilities ...

  • Chapter 21. Judicial Boards and Commissions
    Subchapter A. Judicial Conduct Board
  • § 2101.  Judicial Conduct Board.
    (a) General rule.--In accordance with section 18 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the Judicial Conduct Board shall be an independent board within ...
  • § 2102.  Composition of board.
    (a) General rule.--The Judicial Conduct Board shall consist of: (1) A judge of the Superior Court or the Commonwealth Court in regular active service appointed ...
  • § 2103.  Organization.
    Annually, the Judicial Conduct Board shall elect a chairperson. The board shall act only with the concurrence of a majority of its members. ...
  • § 2104.  Staff and operations.
    The Judicial Conduct Board shall appoint a chief counsel and other staff, prepare and administer its own budget as provided by law, exercise supervisory and ...
  • § 2105.  Powers and duties.
    The Judicial Conduct Board shall exercise the powers and perform the duties vested in and imposed upon the board by section 18 of Article V ...
  • § 2106.  Official immunity.
    Members of the Judicial Conduct Board and its chief counsel and staff shall be absolutely immune from suit for all conduct in the course of ...

  • Subchapter B. Judicial Qualifications Commission (Reserved)
    Subchapter C. Jury Selection Commissions
  • § 2121.  Jury selection commissions.
    Except in the first judicial district, the jury selection commission in each county shall consist of three persons selected as provided in this subchapter or ...
  • § 2122.  Composition of jury selection commissions.
    (a) General rule.--Except in the first judicial district and other home rule charter counties, the jury selection commission shall consist of two jury commissioners elected ...
  • § 2123.  Expenses, staff and quarters.
    The expenses, staff and quarters shall be provided for the jury selection commission in accordance with sections 1724 (relating to personnel of the system), 3721 ...
  • § 2124.  Powers and duties.
    Each jury selection commission shall exercise the powers and perform the duties vested in and imposed upon such commissions by Subchapter B of Chapter 45 ...

  • Subchapter D. Minor Judiciary Education Board
  • § 2131.  Minor Judiciary Education Board.
    (a) General rule.--The Minor Judiciary Education Board shall consist of members selected as provided in this subchapter. (b) Seal.--The Minor Judiciary Education Board shall have ...
  • § 2132.  Composition of board.
    (a) General rule.--The Minor Judiciary Education Board shall consist of the following appointed by the Governor. Appointments made after the effective date of this amendatory ...
  • § 2133.  Organization.
    Annually the Minor Judiciary Education Board shall elect a chairman and other officers of the board, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the ...
  • § 2134.  Staff.
    The Administrative Office shall provide such staff assistance as the Minor Judiciary Education Board may require. ...
  • § 2135.  Powers and duties.
    The Minor Judiciary Education Board shall exercise the powers and perform the duties vested in and imposed upon the board by Subchapter B of Chapter ...

  • Subchapter E. Boards of Viewers
  • § 2141.  Boards of viewers.
    The boards of viewers in each county of this Commonwealth shall consist of three or more persons selected as provided in this subchapter. ...
  • § 2142.  Composition of boards.
    (a) General rule.--The court of common pleas of the judicial district embracing the county shall appoint to the board of viewers of the county such ...
  • § 2143.  Staff.
    Each board of viewers shall be provided with such staff as may be necessary. ...
  • § 2144.  Powers and duties.
    Each board of viewers shall exercise the powers and perform the duties vested in and imposed upon such boards by law. ...

  • Subchapter F. Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing
  • § 2151.  Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing (Repealed).
    SUBCHAPTER F PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON SENTENCING Sec. 2151. Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing (Repealed). 2151.1. Definitions. 2151.2. Commission. 2152. Composition of commission. 2153. Powers and duties. ...
  • § 2151.1. Definitions.
    § 2151.2. Commission.
  • § 2152.  Composition of commission.
    (a) General rule.--The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing shall consist of: (1) Two members of the House of Representatives selected by the Speaker of the House ...
  • § 2153.  Powers and duties.
    (a) General rule.--The commission, pursuant to rules and regulations, shall have the power to: (1) Establish general policies and promulgate such rules and regulations for ...
  • § 2154.  Adoption of guidelines for sentencing.
    (a) General rule.--The commission shall adopt guidelines for sentencing within the limits established by law which shall be considered by the sentencing court in determining ...
  • § 2154.1. Adoption of guidelines for county intermediate
    punishment.

    § 2154.2. Adoption of guidelines for State intermediate
    punishment.

    § 2154.3. Adoption of guidelines for fines.
  • § 2155.  Publication of guidelines for sentencing.
    (a) General rule.--The commission shall: (1) Prior to adoption, publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin all proposed sentencing guidelines and hold public hearings not earlier than ...
  • § 2156.  Severability of subchapter.
    The provisions of this subchapter are severable. If any provision of this subchapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the ...

  • Chapter 23. Personnel of the System
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 2301.  Appointment of personnel.
    (a) General rule.--Subject to any inconsistent general rules or statutory provisions each: (1) Judge and magisterial district judge may appoint and fix the duties of ...
  • § 2302.  Maintenance of adequate county staff.
    Whenever necessary, it shall be the duty of county officers to appoint or detail such county staff as shall enable the judges of the courts ...
  • Subchapters B through I (Reserved)

    Subchapter J. Transferred County-Level Court Administrator
    Leave and Benefits
  • § 2391.  Short title of subchapter.
    This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the Unified Judicial System Transferred County-Level Administrator Leave Benefit Act. ...
  • § 2392.  Definitions.
    The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates ...
  • § 2393.  Holidays.
    On and after the date of transfer to the State judicial personnel system, transferred administrators shall be eligible for those paid holidays specified in State ...
  • § 2394.  Sick leave and annual leave.
    (a) Accrued sick leave and annual leave to be transferred.-- Subject to the provisions of subsection (b), sick leave and annual leave accrued by a ...
  • § 2395.  Other leave.
    With the exception of leave specified in section 2394 (relating to sick leave and annual leave), a transferred administrator may receive a lump sum payment ...
  • § 2396.  Leave following transfer.
    (a) Leave accrual following date of transfer.--On and after the date of transfer, leave shall be accrued by transferred administrators as provided by State judicial ...
  • § 2397.  County payments for certain leave.
    (a) County payments.--Each employing county shall provide payment to the Commonwealth for the accrued sick leave and annual leave transferred and credited pursuant to section ...

  • Chapter 25. Representation of Litigants
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 2501.  Appearance in person or by counsel.
    (a) Civil matters.--In all civil matters before any tribunal every litigant shall have a right to be heard, by himself and his counsel, or by ...
  • § 2502.  Certain persons not to appear as counsel.
    (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by general rule, an attorney at law who is an employee of a court shall not appear as counsel ...
  • § 2503.  Right of participants to receive counsel fees.
    The following participants shall be entitled to a reasonable counsel fee as part of the taxable costs of the matter: (1) The holder of bonds ...
  • § 2504.  Letters of attorney.
    (a) General rule.--All letters of attorney authorizing acts relating to instruments or judgments may, if duly acknowledged, be filed in the office of the clerk ...

  • Subchapter B. Attorneys and Counsellors
  • § 2521.  Office of attorney at law.
    Persons admitted to the bar of the courts of this Commonwealth and to practice law pursuant to general rules shall thereby hold the office of ...
  • § 2522.  Oath of office.
    Before entering upon the duties of his office, each attorney at law shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation before a person authorized ...
  • § 2523.  Persons specially admitted by local rules.
    Any person specially admitted to practice law on or before April 23, 1968 may continue to practice in the court of common pleas or in ...
  • § 2524.  Penalty for unauthorized practice of law.
    (a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), any person, including, but not limited to, a paralegal or legal assistant, who within this Commonwealth shall ...
  • § 2525.  Unauthorized solicitation prohibited.
    (a) Offense defined.--Any person not an attorney at law who shall solicit or procure through solicitation a retainer, power of attorney or any agreement, written ...

  • Chapter 27. Office of the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 2701.  Scope and purpose of chapter.
    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this chapter is to facilitate the prompt, fair and efficient administration of justice by specifying the respective powers and duties of ...
  • § 2702.  Place of filing of documents.
    Where jurisdiction of any matter is by law vested in a court of common pleas or in the Philadelphia Municipal Court, all applications for relief ...
  • § 2703.  Notice of transfer of functions and duties.
    Whenever pursuant to section 2756(b)(2) (relating to exceptions) a clerk of the courts files a waiver of any functions and duties ordinarily incident to his ...
  • § 2704.  Responsibility for entry, maintenance and certification of data and certification of amicable judgments.
    § 2704. Responsibility for entry, maintenance and certification of data and certification of amicable judgments. The prothonotary, clerk of the courts and clerk of the ...
  • § 2705.  Responsibility for reports to executive agencies.
    (a) Community Affairs.--The office of clerk of the court of common pleas shall certify to the Department of Community Affairs a copy of any order ...

  • Subchapter B. Prothonotaries
  • § 2731.  Prothonotary.
    (a) General rule.--In each county of this Commonwealth there shall be one prothonotary for the court of common pleas, who shall be known as the ...
  • § 2732.  Selection of prothonotary.
    (a) General rule.--The prothonotary of each county shall be selected, and may be removed, in the manner provided by the act of July 28, 1953 ...
  • § 2733.  Seal.
    The prothonotary shall have custody of a counterpart of the seal of the court or courts for which he is the prothonotary. ...
  • § 2734.  Office of the prothonotary.
    (a) General rule.--There shall be an office of the prothonotary in each county of this Commonwealth, which shall be supervised by the prothonotary of the ...
  • § 2735.  Staff.
    (a) General rule.--The prothonotary may appoint and remove such deputies and other administrative staff of the office of the prothonotary as may be necessary. (b) ...
  • § 2736.  Matters or documents filed in the office of the prothonotary.
    § 2736. Matters or documents filed in the office of the prothonotary. All matters or documents required or authorized to be filed in the office ...
  • § 2737.  Powers and duties of the office of the prothonotary.
    The office of the prothonotary shall have the power and duty to: (1) Administer oaths and affirmations and take acknowledgments pursuant to section 327 (relating ...
  • § 2737.1. Incorrect debtor identified.
  • § 2738.  Criminal, probate, estates and fiduciary matters.
    (a) General rule.--The personnel of the office of the prothonotary shall exercise the powers and perform the duties vested in or imposed upon the office ...

  • Subchapter C. Clerks of the Courts
  • § 2751.  Clerk of the courts.
    (a) General rule.--In each county of this Commonwealth there shall be a clerk of the courts for the court of common pleas who shall be ...
  • § 2752.  Selection of clerk of the courts.
    (a) General rule.--The clerk of the courts of each county shall be selected, and may be removed, in the manner provided by the act of ...
  • § 2753.  Seal.
    The clerk of the courts shall have custody of a counterpart of the seal of the court or courts for which he is the clerk ...
  • § 2754.  Office of the clerk of the courts.
    (a) General rule.--There shall be an office of the clerk of the courts in each county of this Commonwealth, which shall be supervised by the ...
  • § 2755.  Staff.
    (a) General rule.--The clerk of the courts may appoint and remove such deputies and other administrative staff of the office of the clerk of the ...
  • § 2756.  Matters or documents filed in the office of the clerk of the courts.
    § 2756. Matters or documents filed in the office of the clerk of the courts. (a) General rule.--All applications for relief or other documents relating ...
  • § 2757.  Powers and duties of the office of the clerk of the courts.
    § 2757. Powers and duties of the office of the clerk of the courts. The office of the clerk of the courts shall have the ...

  • Subchapter D. Clerks of Orphans' Court Divisions
  • § 2771.  Clerk of the orphans' court division.
    (a) General rule.--In each county of this Commonwealth there shall be one clerk of the orphans' court division, who shall be known as the "Clerk ...
  • § 2772.  Selection of clerk of the orphans' court division.
    (a) General rule.--The clerk of the orphans' court division of each county shall be selected, and may be removed, in the manner provided by the ...
  • § 2773.  Seal.
    The clerk of the orphans' court division shall have custody of a counterpart of the seal of the court for which he is the clerk ...
  • § 2774.  Office of the clerk of the orphans' court division.
    (a) General rule.--There shall be an office of the clerk of the orphans' court division in each county of this Commonwealth, which shall be supervised ...
  • § 2775.  Staff.
    (a) General rule.--The clerk of the orphans' court division, with the consent and approval of the court, may appoint and remove such deputies and other ...
  • § 2776.  Matters or documents filed in the office of the clerk of the orphans' court division.
    § 2776. Matters or documents filed in the office of the clerk of the orphans' court division. All matters to be heard or determined in ...
  • § 2777.  Powers and duties of the office of the clerk of the orphans' court division.
    § 2777. Powers and duties of the office of the clerk of the orphans' court division. The office of the clerk of the orphans' court ...

  • Chapter 29. Officers Serving Process and Enforcing Orders
    Subchapter A. General Provisions (Reserved)
    Subchapter B. Sheriffs
  • § 2921.  Powers and duties of the sheriff.
    The sheriff, either personally or by deputy, shall serve process and execute orders directed to him pursuant to law. ...

  • Subchapter C. Constables
  • § 2941.  Definitions.
    The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates ...
  • § 2942.  Conduct and insurance.
    (a) Certification.--After the establishment, implementation and administration of the Constables' Education and Training Program created under sections 2944 (relating to program established) and 2945 (relating ...
  • § 2943.  Board established.
    (a) Board created.--There is hereby established within the commission an advisory board to be known as the Constables' Education and Training Board. (b) Composition.--The board ...
  • § 2944.  Program established.
    The board, with the review and approval of the commission, shall: (1) Establish, implement and administer the Constables' Education and Training Program according to the ...
  • § 2945.  Program contents.
    The Constables' Education and Training Program shall include training for a total of 80 hours, the content of which shall be determined by regulation. The ...
  • § 2946.  Continuing education.
    The board, with the review and approval of the commission, shall establish a mandatory continuing education program for constables and deputy constables, which shall include ...
  • § 2947.  Automatic certification.
    All constables and deputy constables who are in office as of the effective date of this subchapter shall be deemed to be certified under and ...
  • § 2948.  Use of firearms.
    (a) Standards.--The Constables' Education and Training Board, with the review and approval of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, shall establish standards for the ...
  • § 2949.  Restricted account.
    (a) Account established.--There is hereby established a special restricted account within the General Fund, which shall be known as the Constables' Education and Training Account, ...
  • § 2950.  Fees.
    (a) Travel or mileage.--Actual mileage for travel by motor vehicle shall be reimbursed at a rate equal to the highest rate allowed by the Internal ...

  • PART III. SELECTION, RETENTION AND REMOVAL
    OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS
    Chapter 31. Selection and Retention of Judicial Officers
    Subchapter A. Qualifications Generally
  • § 3101.  Qualifications of judicial officers generally.
    (a) General rule.--Judges and magisterial district judges shall be citizens of this Commonwealth. Judges, except judges of the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court and the Traffic Court ...

  • Subchapter B. Qualifications of Certain Minor Judiciary
  • § 3111.  Definitions.
    The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this ...
  • § 3112.  Course of instruction and examination required.
    Magisterial district judges, bail commissioners and judges who are not members of the bar of this Commonwealth shall complete a course of training and instruction ...
  • § 3113.  Content of course of instruction and examination.
    (a) General rule.--The board shall prescribe and approve the subject matter and the examination for the course of training and instruction required by this subchapter. ...
  • § 3114.  Admission of interested persons.
    In addition to those required by this subchapter to complete the course of training and instruction and successfully pass an examination prior to assuming office, ...
  • § 3115.  Certification of successful completion of course.
    Upon the successful completion of the course of training and instruction and examination, the Administrative Office shall issue to a person elected or appointed as ...
  • § 3116.  Effect of failure to obtain certificate.
    In the event that any magisterial district judge or judge fails to file the certificate provided for by section 3115 (relating to certification of successful ...
  • § 3117.  Expenses.
    The course of training and instruction required by this subchapter shall be provided at the expense of the Commonwealth. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. ...
  • § 3118.  Continuing education requirement.
    (a) Magisterial district judges.--Every magisterial district judge shall complete a continuing education program each year equivalent to not less than 32 hours per year in ...
  • § 3119.  Rules and regulations.
    The Administrative Office shall have the power to promulgate, with the approval of the board, such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out ...

  • Subchapter C. Selection of Judicial Officers
  • § 3131.  Selection of judicial officers for regular terms.
    (a) Judges and magisterial district judges generally.-- Except as provided in subsection (d) judges and magisterial district judges shall be elected for a regular term ...
  • § 3132.  Vacancies in office.
    (a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), a vacancy in the office of judge or magisterial district judge shall be filled by appointment by ...
  • § 3132.1. Reappointment of magisterial district judge.
  • § 3133.  Commonwealth Court judges.
    Whenever two or more judges of the Commonwealth Court are to be elected pursuant to section 3131(c) (relating to selection of judicial officers for regular ...
  • § 3134.  Community court judges.
    If the electors approve the establishment of a community court at the primary election in a municipal election year, the first judges of the court ...
  • § 3135.  Increase in number of judges.
    Whenever the number of judges of a court is increased by statute, unless otherwise expressly provided by statute, the additional judicial positions thereby created shall ...

  • Subchapter D. Tenure and Compensation
  • § 3151.  Oath of office.
    Each judicial officer shall, before entering on the duties of his office, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation before a person authorized to ...
  • § 3152.  Tenure of judicial officers.
    (a) Judges and magisterial district judges.--The regular term of office of judges and magisterial district judges shall be as follows: (1) Judges of the Philadelphia ...
  • § 3153.  Retention elections after regular term.
    (a) General rule.--A judge elected under section 3131 (relating to selection of judicial officers for regular terms) or retained under this section may file a ...
  • § 3154.  Compensation of judicial officers (Repealed).
    § 3154. Compensation of judicial officers (Repealed). 1983 Repeal. Section 3154 was repealed September 30, 1983, P.L.160, No.39, effective December 1, 1983. ...

  • Chapter 33. Discipline, Removal and Retirement of Judicial
    Officers
    Subchapter A. Standards of Conduct
  • § 3301.  Constitutional restrictions.
    Judges shall devote full time to their judicial duties, and shall not engage in the practice of law, hold office in a political party or ...
  • § 3302.  Additional restrictions.
    A judge shall not engage in any activity prohibited by this subchapter or any other provision of law and shall not violate any canon of ...
  • § 3303.  Additional compensation prohibited.
    No judicial officer shall be paid or accept for the performance of any judicial duty or for any service connected with his office, any fee, ...
  • § 3304.  Acting as collection agent or paid arbitrator prohibited.
    § 3304. Acting as collection agent or paid arbitrator prohibited. (a) Collection agent.--No judge or magisterial district judge shall act as agent for a person ...
  • § 3305.  Automatic removal upon conviction or disbarment.
    A judge or magisterial district judge convicted of misbehavior in office by a court, disbarred as a member of the bar of this Commonwealth or ...
  • § 3306.  Automatic removal upon nonjudicial candidacy.
    A judge who shall file for nomination for or election to any public office other than a judicial office shall forfeit automatically his judicial office. ...
  • § 3307.  Automatic suspension of judicial officer under impeachment.
    § 3307. Automatic suspension of judicial officer under impeachment. No judge or magisterial district judge against whom impeachment proceedings are pending in the Senate shall ...

  • Subchapter B. Establishment and Discontinuance of Courts
  • § 3321.  Establishment of community courts.
    (a) General rule.--In a judicial district which establishes a community court, a person serving as a magisterial district judge at such time: (1) may complete ...
  • § 3322.  Discontinuance of community courts.
    (a) General rule.--In a judicial district which discontinues a community court, a person serving as a judge of the community court at such time: (1) ...

  • Subchapter C. Discipline and Removal of Judges
  • § 3331.  Power of discipline or removal.
    (a) Judges.--Any judge may be suspended, removed from office or otherwise disciplined for violation of Subchapter A (relating to standards of conduct), misconduct in office, ...
  • § 3332.  Investigation and hearing.
    Investigation and hearing shall be governed by section 18 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania. (July 2, 1993, P.L.395, No.56, eff. Aug. 16, ...
  • § 3333.  Recommendation to and action by Supreme Court (Deleted by amendment).
    § 3333. Recommendation to and action by Supreme Court (Deleted by amendment). 1993 Amendment. Section 3333 was deleted by amendment July 2, 1993, P.L.395, No.56, ...
  • § 3334.  Proceedings confidential.
    Confidentiality shall be governed by section 18 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania. (July 2, 1993, P.L.395, No.56, eff. Aug. 16, 1993) ...

  • Subchapter D. Retirement
  • § 3351.  Automatic retirement on age.
    Judges and magisterial district judges shall be retired upon attaining the age of 70 years. (Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days) 2004 Amendment. ...
  • § 3352.  Pension rights.
    (a) General rule.--Former and retired judges and magisterial district judges shall receive such compensation as shall be provided by or pursuant to statute. No salary, ...

  • PART IV. FINANCIAL MATTERS
    Chapter 35. Budget and Finance
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 3501.  Definitions.
    Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this part which are applicable to specific provisions of this part, the following words and phrases ...
  • § 3502.  Financial regulations.
    (a) General rule.--The governing authority may promulgate regulations relating to forms and accounting methods to be utilized in connection with funds appropriated to the unified ...
  • § 3503.  Penalties.
    Any person who fails to remit any fines, penalties, forfeitures, fees, cash or other moneys received by him within the time and in the manner ...

  • Subchapter B. Judicial Department Budget and Finance
  • § 3521.  Development of budget information.
    (a) General rule.--The Administrative Office shall annually obtain and prepare information for the preparation of a budget for the Judicial Department within such time as ...
  • § 3522.  Preparation of tentative budget request.
    (a) General rule.--The Administrative Office shall collate and examine all information received pursuant to section 3521(a) (relating to development of budget information), shall consult with ...
  • § 3523.  Adoption of final budget request.
    (a) General rule.--The governing authority shall review the tentative budget request submitted by the Administrative Office pursuant to section 3522 (relating to preparation of tentative ...
  • § 3524.  Form of Judicial Department appropriation.
    The budget request of the Judicial Department shall be prepared in a manner comparable to the request of an administrative department. ...
  • § 3525.  List of employees to be furnished.
    (a) General rule.--The Administrative Office shall, on July 15 of each year, transmit to the Department of the Auditor General, the Treasury Department, and the ...
  • § 3526.  Release of funds.
    (a) General rule.--Each recipient of funds appropriated to the unified judicial system shall, from time to time, as requested by the Administrative Office, prepare and ...
  • § 3527.  Estimates of current expenditures by Administrative Office.
    § 3527. Estimates of current expenditures by Administrative Office. The Administrative Office shall, from time to time, as requested by the Governor, prepare and submit ...
  • § 3528.  Fiscal period.
    All books and accounts kept by the Administrative Office and other personnel of the system shall be kept as of the fiscal year or period ...
  • § 3529.  Audits of affairs of unified judicial system.
    (a) General rule.--It shall be the duty of the judicial auditing agency to retain a certified public accountant to make all audits of transactions after ...
  • § 3530.  Preparation of requisitions.
    The Administrative Office shall prepare, or cause to be prepared by an officer of the interested government unit designated by the Administrative Office, requisitions for ...
  • § 3531.  Budget implementation data.
    The Court Administrator of Pennsylvania shall make monthly expenditure data available to the Majority or Minority Chairmen of the Appropriations Committees of the Senate or ...
  • § 3532.  Expenses.
    The Office of the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania shall pay the annual registration fee of $200 to the Special Court Judges of Pennsylvania Association for ...

  • Subchapter C. County Finance
  • § 3541.  Judicial and related account.
    The City and County of Philadelphia, each other county of this Commonwealth, and the City of Pittsburgh shall establish and maintain on their respective books ...
  • § 3542.  Receipts.
    (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided by Subchapter E (relating to fines, etc.), there shall be paid to the respective political subdivisions required by this ...
  • § 3543.  Credits to account.
    Each political subdivision required by this subchapter to maintain a judicial and related account shall credit to such account: (1) Contributions and payments by the ...
  • § 3544.  Disbursements.
    (a) General rule.--There shall be paid by the respective political subdivisions required by this subchapter to maintain a judicial and related account: (1) Salaries, fees ...
  • § 3545.  Debits to account.
    (a) General rule.--Each political subdivision required by this subchapter to maintain a judicial and related account shall debit to such account: (1) Amounts paid pursuant ...
  • § 3546.  Relief from liability for loss of property if expenses not paid.
    § 3546. Relief from liability for loss of property if expenses not paid. Any officer enforcing orders of a tribunal shall be relieved from any ...
  • § 3547.  Restriction on compelling local action.
    A general rule, express order or other order in the nature of a regulation adopted by the governing authority or any other agency or unit ...

  • Subchapter D. Money Paid into Court
  • § 3561.  Money paid into court.
    All money paid into court shall be held in the custody of such officer, shall be invested in such manner, and shall be withdrawn from ...

  • Subchapter E. Fines, Etc.
  • § 3571.  Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.
    (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Commonwealth shall be entitled to receive all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or ...
  • § 3572.  County portion of fines, etc.
    Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited and fees and costs collected in the ...
  • § 3573.  Municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.
    (a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, all fines, forfeited recognizances and other forfeitures imposed, lost or forfeited for violation of any ordinance ...
  • § 3574.  Fines in the nature of private compensation.
    The provisions of this subchapter shall not affect the disposition of fines authorized by law to effect restitution, for support of legal dependents, or otherwise ...
  • § 3575.  Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.
    (a) Establishment.--There is established within the State Treasury a restricted account to be known as the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account. The account shall be comprised ...

  • Subchapter F. Compensation and Salaries
  • § 3581.  Judicial salaries (Repealed).
    SUBCHAPTER F COMPENSATION AND SALARIES Sec. 3581. Judicial salaries (Repealed). Enactment. Subchapter F was added December 18, 1992, P.L.1269, No.167, effective immediately. § 3581. Judicial ...

  • Chapter 37. Facilities and Supplies
    Subchapter A. Statewide Facilities and Services
  • § 3701.  Pennsylvania Judicial Center (Reserved).
    CHAPTER 37 FACILITIES AND SUPPLIES Subchapter A. Statewide Facilities and Services B. District and County Facilities and Services C. Judicial Computer System Enactment. Chapter 37 ...
  • § 3702.  General facilities and services furnished by Administrative Office.
    § 3702. General facilities and services furnished by Administrative Office. The Administrative Office, either directly or where appropriate in the case of equipment, materials and ...
  • § 3703.  Local chamber facilities.
    The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts shall furnish for each judge of the appellate courts of this Commonwealth chamber facilities in the county in which ...
  • § 3704.  Local facilities for holding sessions of Statewide courts.
    § 3704. Local facilities for holding sessions of Statewide courts. (a) General rule.--The City and County of Philadelphia and the County of Allegheny shall furnish ...

  • Subchapter B. District and County Facilities and Services
  • § 3721.  County judicial center or courthouse.
    (a) General rule.--There shall be maintained at the county seat of each county a facility known as the county judicial center, which may be the ...
  • § 3722.  General facilities and services furnished by county.
    Except as otherwise provided by statute, each county shall continue to furnish to the court of common pleas and community court embracing the county, to ...
  • § 3723.  Other facilities and services furnished by Administrative Office.
    § 3723. Other facilities and services furnished by Administrative Office. The Administrative Office, either directly or where appropriate in the case of equipment, materials and ...
  • § 3724.  County law libraries.
    County law libraries, including libraries maintained by bar associations or independent library corporations, or both, shall receive from the county such necessary funds, accommodations, goods ...
  • § 3725.  Standards of local facilities and services.
    All accommodations, goods and services furnished to personnel of the system by a county or any other government agency shall be furnished in conformity with ...
  • § 3726.  Manner of expenditure of local funds.
    Unless and until otherwise provided by statute or by express order of the Supreme Court pursuant to and subject to the limitations of constitutional authority, ...
  • § 3727.  Restriction on compelling local action.
    A general rule, express order or other order in the nature of a regulation adopted by the governing authority or any other agency or unit ...

  • Subchapter C. Judicial Computer System
  • § 3731.  Establishment of restricted receipt account.
    There is hereby established within the General Fund a restricted receipt account to be known as the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account. ...
  • § 3732.  Utilization of funds in account.
    (a) General rule.--Except for the repayments under subsection (b), all moneys deposited into the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account shall be used only for the ...
  • § 3733.  Deposits into account.
    (a) General rule.-- (1) Beginning July 1, 1987, and thereafter, the total of all fines, fees and costs collected by any division of the unified ...
  • § 3734.  Annual appropriations.
    Beginning with the fiscal year 1987-1988, the General Assembly shall appropriate initially from the General Fund and thereafter from the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account ...
  • § 3735.  Review of plan and contracts.
    A copy of the plan for expenditure of appropriated funds and a copy of each contract prior to execution shall be submitted to the respective ...

  • PART V. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE GENERALLY
    Chapter 41. Administration of Justice
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 4101.  Coordination of activities.
    The several courts and magisterial district judges, all other system and related personnel, executive agencies and political subdivisions shall devise a practical and working basis ...
  • § 4102.  Liability insurance for district justices (Repealed).
    § 4102. Liability insurance for district justices (Repealed). 1979 Repeal. Section 4102 was repealed July 20, 1979, P.L.157, No.52, effective in 60 days. ...

  • Subchapter B. Temporary Assignment of Judges and Magisterial
    District Judges
  • § 4121.  Assignment of judges.
    (a) General rule.--Subject to general rules any judge may be temporarily assigned to another court and may there hear and determine any matter with like ...
  • § 4122.  Assignment of magisterial district judges.
    (a) General rule.--Subject to general rules any magisterial district judge may be temporarily assigned to any other magisterial district or the Pittsburgh Magistrates Court or ...
  • § 4123.  Assignment procedure.
    The procedure for effecting temporary assignments of judges and magisterial district judges, the kind, amount and method of payment for travel, lodgings and subsistence, and ...
  • § 4124.  Assignment of senior Philadelphia Municipal Court judges.
    § 4124. Assignment of senior Philadelphia Municipal Court judges. A senior judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court who has not been defeated for reelection or ...

  • Subchapter C. Contempt of Court
  • § 4131.  Definitions (Reserved).
    SUBCHAPTER C CONTEMPT OF COURT Sec. 4131. Definitions (Reserved). 4132. Attachment and summary punishment for contempts. 4133. Commitment or fine for contempt. 4134. Commitment for ...
  • § 4132.  Attachment and summary punishment for contempts.
    The power of the several courts of this Commonwealth to issue attachments and to impose summary punishments for contempts of court shall be restricted to ...
  • § 4133.  Commitment or fine for contempt.
    Except as otherwise provided by statute, the punishment of commitment for contempt provided in section 4132 (relating to attachment and summary punishment for contempts) shall ...
  • § 4134.  Commitment for failure to pay fine.
    The court may order the sheriff or other proper officer of any county to take into custody and commit to jail any person fined for ...
  • § 4135.  Publication out of court.
    (a) General rule.--Publication out of court respecting the conduct of judges, magisterial district judges, other system or related personnel, jurors or participants in connection with ...
  • § 4136.  Rights of persons charged with certain indirect criminal contempts.
    § 4136. Rights of persons charged with certain indirect criminal contempts. (a) General rule.--A person charged with indirect criminal contempt for violation of a restraining ...
  • § 4137.  Contempt powers of magisterial district judges.
    (a) General rule.-- A magisterial district judge shall have the power to issue attachments and impose summary punishments for criminal contempts of a magisterial district ...
  • § 4138.  Contempt powers of Pittsburgh Magistrates Court.
    (a) General rule.--The Pittsburgh Magistrates Court shall have the power to issue attachments and impose summary punishments for criminal contempts in the following cases: (1) ...
  • § 4139.  Contempt powers of Traffic Court of Philadelphia.
    (a) General rule.--The Traffic Court of Philadelphia shall have the power to issue attachments and impose summary punishments for criminal contempts in the following cases: ...

  • Chapter 43. Dockets, Indices and Other Records
    Subchapter A. Establishment, Maintenance and Effect of
    Judicial Records
  • § 4301.  Establishment and maintenance of judicial records.
    (a) General rule.--All system and related personnel shall establish and maintain such records as shall be required by law. (b) Supervision by Administrative Office.--All system ...
  • § 4302.  Effect of records as notice.
    (a) Real property.--Except as otherwise provided by statute or prescribed by general rule adopted pursuant to section 1722(b) (relating to enforcement and effect of orders ...
  • § 4303.  Effect of judgments and orders as liens.
    (a) Real property.--Any judgment or other order of a court of common pleas for the payment of money shall be a lien upon real property ...
  • § 4304.  Notice of Federal pending actions.
    (a) General rule.--An action pending in a United States court within this Commonwealth concerning real property located within this Commonwealth shall be effective to give ...
  • § 4305.  Federal judgments as liens.
    (a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), every judgment of a United States court within this Commonwealth shall, as provided by 28 United States ...
  • § 4306.  Enforcement of foreign judgments.
    (a) Short title of section.--This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act." (b) Filing and status ...

  • Subchapter B. Disposition of Obsolete Records
  • § 4321.  Record retention schedules.
    (a) General rule.--The governing authority, after consultation with the County Records Committee, shall by general rule prescribe schedules setting forth the conditions under which the ...
  • § 4322.  Destruction and disposition of obsolete records.
    (a) General rule.--Any person required to maintain records pursuant to Subchapter A (relating to establishment, maintenance and effect of judicial records) may destroy such records ...
  • § 4323.  Form of permanent recordation.
    Records which are classified as records of permanent value shall, prior to destruction or other removal from the office of the person having custody thereof, ...
  • § 4324.  Copies of destroyed records.
    The photostatic, photographic, microphotographic, microfilmed or otherwise reproduced copy of any record destroyed or disposed of as authorized pursuant to this subchapter, or a certified ...
  • § 4325.  Duplicate permanent records.
    In order to provide insurance for the more actively used working copies against damage or loss through wear or disaster, duplicate copies of all permanent ...
  • § 4326.  Original records meriting special care.
    If, in the opinion of the person having custody of an original record, such original possesses sufficient value that it merits special care, he shall ...
  • § 4327.  Transfer of custody to local museum upon application.
    (a) General rule.--Any nonprofit public, quasi-public, or private association or corporation situated within the county where the historical documents are filed, which maintains a museum, ...

  • Chapter 44. Court Interpreters
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 4401.  Legislative findings and declaration.
    It is hereby declared to be the policy of this Commonwealth to secure the rights, constitutional and otherwise, of persons who because of a non-English ...
  • § 4402.  Definitions.
    The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates ...

  • Subchapter B. Court Interpreters for Persons with Limited
    English Proficiency
  • § 4411.  Duties of Court Administrator.
    (a) Interpreter program.--The Court Administrator may establish a program to appoint and use certified interpreters in judicial proceedings. The program established by the Court Administrator ...
  • § 4412.  Appointment of interpreter.
    (a) Appointment of certified interpreter.--Upon request or sua sponte, if the presiding judicial officer determines that a principal party in interest or witness has a ...
  • § 4413.  Replacement of interpreter.
    Pursuant to general rule, the presiding judicial officer shall dismiss the interpreter and obtain the services of another interpreter in accordance with this subchapter if ...
  • § 4414.  Oath.
    Before commencement of interpreter duties, an interpreter appointed under this subchapter shall take an oath or make an affirmation on the record that the interpreter ...
  • § 4415.  Confidential communications in presence of interpreter.
    An interpreter appointed under this subchapter shall not be compelled to testify in any judicial proceeding or administrative proceeding to any statements made by the ...
  • § 4416.  Cost of providing interpreter.
    (a) General rule.--An interpreter appointed in accordance with this subchapter is entitled to a reasonable fee for interpreter services and shall be reimbursed for actual ...
  • § 4417.  Funding.
    Except as provided in section 4416 (relating to cost of providing interpreter), the General Assembly shall appropriate to the Court Administrator such sums as may ...

  • Subchapter C. Court Intrepreters for Persons Who Are Deaf
  • § 4431.  Duties of Court Administrator.
    (a) Interpreter program.--The Court Administrator may establish a program to appoint and use certified interpreters in judicial proceedings. To certify interpreters, the Court Administrator shall ...
  • § 4432.  Appointment of interpreter.
    (a) Appointment of certified interpreter.--Upon request or sua sponte, if the presiding judicial officer determines that a principal party in interest or witness is deaf, ...
  • § 4433.  Replacement of interpreter.
    Pursuant to general rule, the presiding judicial officer shall dismiss the interpreter and obtain the services of another interpreter in accordance with this subchapter if ...
  • § 4434.  Interrogation.
    Upon the arrest of any person who is deaf and prior to interrogation, the arresting officer shall make available to the person who is deaf ...
  • § 4435.  Oath.
    Before commencement of interpreter duties, an interpreter appointed under this subchapter shall take an oath or make an affirmation on the record that the interpreter ...
  • § 4436.  Confidential communications in presence of interpreter.
    An interpreter appointed under this subchapter shall not be compelled to testify in any judicial proceeding or administrative proceeding to any statements made by the ...
  • § 4437.  Cost of providing interpreter.
    (a) General rule.--Except as provided by general rule and in subsection (b), an interpreter appointed in accordance with this subchapter is entitled to a reasonable ...
  • § 4438.  Funding.
    Except as provided in section 4437 (relating to cost of providing interpreter), the General Assembly shall appropriate to the Court Administrator such sums as may ...

  • Chapter 45. Juries and Jurors
    Subchapter A. Qualifications and Exemptions
  • § 4501.  Declaration of policy.
    It is the policy of this Commonwealth that: (1) All persons entitled to a jury trial in a civil action or criminal proceeding shall have ...
  • § 4502.  Qualifications of jurors.
    (a) General rule.--Every citizen of this Commonwealth who is of the required minimum age for voting for State or local officials and who resides in ...
  • § 4503.  Exemptions from jury duty.
    (a) General rule.--No person shall be exempt or excused from jury duty except the following: (1) Persons in active service of the armed forces of ...

  • Subchapter B. Selection and Custody of Jurors
  • § 4521.  Selection of prospective jurors.
    (a) Preparation of master list of prospective jurors.-- (1) At least annually the jury selection commission shall prepare a master list of prospective jurors that ...
  • § 4521.1. Statewide jury information system.
  • § 4522.  List of qualified jurors.
    After receipt of the juror qualification forms as provided in section 4521(d) (relating to selection of prospective jurors), the jury selection commission shall determine whether ...
  • § 4523.  List of disqualified jurors.
    (a) Maintenance of list.--The jury selection commission shall create and maintain a list of names of all prospective jurors who have been disqualified and the ...
  • § 4524.  Selection of jurors for service.
    Except as otherwise provided in section 4525 (relating to equipment used for selection of jurors), the jury selection commission shall maintain a master list or ...
  • § 4525.  Equipment used for selection of jurors.
    The jury selection commission is authorized, but not required, to use mechanical or electro-mechanical devices or business machines in the random selection, drawing, investigating, summoning ...
  • § 4526.  Challenging compliance with selection procedures.
    (a) Challenge to array.--Within ten days after publication of the array a party to a matter on a then published list of cases scheduled for ...
  • § 4527.  Effect of verdict on jury selection errors.
    Except as otherwise prescribed by general rule, errors and omissions in the selection of jurors under this subchapter shall not constitute grounds to set aside ...

  • Subchapter C. Summoning Jurors
  • § 4531.  Issuance of court orders for jurors.
    Court orders directing the jury selection commission to select an array of jurors shall be issued in the form prescribed by general rules or rule ...
  • § 4532.  Summoning persons to serve as jurors.
    Persons who have been selected for service as jurors shall be summoned to serve in a manner determined by the jury selection commission with the ...

  • Subchapter D. Investigating Grand Juries
  • § 4541.  Short title of subchapter.
    This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Investigating Grand Jury Act." Renumbering. Former section 4541 was renumbered 4531 pursuant to section ...
  • § 4542.  Definitions.
    The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this ...
  • § 4543.  Convening county investigating grand jury.
    (a) General rule.--In addition to such other grand juries as are called from time to time, county investigating grand juries shall be summoned as provided ...
  • § 4544.  Convening multicounty investigating grand jury.
    (a) General rule.--Application for a multicounty investigating grand jury may be made by the Attorney General to the Supreme Court. In such application the Attorney ...
  • § 4545.  Composition of investigating grand jury.
    (a) General rule.--Each investigating grand jury shall be composed initially of 23 members and have a minimum of seven and not more than 15 alternates. ...
  • § 4546.  Term of investigating grand jury.
    (a) General rule.--An investigating grand jury shall not be limited in duration to any term of court. Each such investigating grand jury shall, except as ...
  • § 4547.  Additional investigating grand juries.
    Whenever the attorney for the Commonwealth determines that the volume of work of an investigating grand jury exceeds the capacity of the investigating grand jury ...
  • § 4548.  Powers of investigating grand jury.
    (a) General rule.--The investigating grand jury shall have the power to inquire into offenses against the criminal laws of the Commonwealth alleged to have been ...
  • § 4549.  Investigating grand jury proceedings.
    (a) Documents and transcript.--Any document produced before an investigating grand jury may be copied or reproduced. Each statement, question, comment or response of the supervising ...
  • § 4550.  Submission of investigations by attorney for the Commonwealth to investigating grand jury.
    § 4550. Submission of investigations by attorney for the Commonwealth to investigating grand jury. (a) General rule.--Before submitting an investigation to the investigating grand jury ...
  • § 4551.  Investigating grand jury presentments.
    (a) General rule.--Should the investigating grand jury determine that upon the basis of evidence presented to it a presentment should be returned against an individual, ...
  • § 4552.  Investigating grand jury reports.
    (a) General rule.--Any investigating grand jury, by an affirmative majority vote of the full investigating grand jury, may, at any time during its term submit ...
  • § 4553.  Expenses of investigating grand juries and trials resulting therefrom.
    § 4553. Expenses of investigating grand juries and trials resulting therefrom. (a) County.--The expenses of a county investigating grand jury shall be borne by the ...

  • Subchapter E. Miscellaneous Provisions
  • § 4561.  Compensation of and travel allowance for jurors.
    (a) Compensation.--A person summoned to serve as a juror shall receive compensation at the rate of $9 a day for the first three days in ...
  • § 4562.  Juror's right to refuse inquiries.
    Except where jury tampering is being investigated by the proper authorities, a juror shall not be required to answer to any person concerning the manner ...
  • § 4563.  Protection of employment of petit and grand jurors.
    (a) General rule.--An employer shall not deprive an employee of his employment, seniority position or benefits, or threaten or otherwise coerce him with respect thereto, ...
  • § 4563.1. Protection of employment of grand jurors (Deleted
    by amendment).

  • § 4564.  Alternate jurors.
    Alternate jurors shall be selected and shall serve as jurors under terms and conditions prescribed by general rules. ...
  • § 4565.  Challenging certain petit jurors where political subdivision is a party.
    § 4565. Challenging certain petit jurors where political subdivision is a party. A person shall not be challenged for cause and excluded from serving as ...

  • Subchapter F. Penalties
  • § 4581.  Interfering with selection of jurors.
    (a) Commission members and employees.--Any member of the jury selection commission or any employee, clerk, investigator or assistant in the employ of the commission, who ...
  • § 4582.  Tampering with names of jurors.
    Any person who directly or indirectly unlawfully tampers with the names drawn from the master list of prospective jurors or jury wheel or with the ...
  • § 4583.  Tampering with jurors.
    Any person who, having in any manner ascertained the names of persons drawn from the master list of prospective jurors or jury wheel, shall thereafter ...
  • § 4583.1. Aggravated jury tampering.
  • § 4584.  Failure of juror to appear.
    A prospective juror who has been summoned to serve as a juror and who fails to appear as summoned shall, unless exempt or excused pursuant ...

  • Chapter 47. DNA Data and Testing (Repealed)
    Subchapter A. Preliminary Provisions (Repealed)
    § 4701 - § 4703 (Repealed).
    Subchapter B. General Provisions (Repealed)
    § 4711 - § 4722 (Repealed).
    Subchapter C. Enforcement and Other Provisions (Repealed)
    § 4731 - § 4736 (Repealed).
    Subchapter D. Miscellaneous Provisions (Repealed)
    § 4741 (Repealed).
    Chapter 49. Access to Justice
  • § 4901.  Short title of chapter.
    This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Access to Justice Act. ...
  • § 4902.  Declaration.
    The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) It is of paramount importance to the citizens of this Commonwealth that all individuals who seek ...
  • § 4903.  Definitions.
    The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates ...
  • § 4904.  Establishment of Access to Justice Account.
    There is established in the State Treasury a nonlapsing restricted receipt account to be known as the Access to Justice Account for the deposit of ...
  • § 4905.  Purpose of account.
    (a) Permitted use.--All moneys in the account and any investment income accrued shall be used exclusively to provide civil legal assistance to poor and disadvantaged ...
  • § 4906.  Distribution of funds.
    All moneys deposited in the account and any investment income accrued are hereby annually appropriated to the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts and shall ...
  • § 4907.  Expiration of chapter.
    This chapter shall expire on November 1, 2012. At least one year prior to the expiration of this chapter, the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee ...

  • PART VI. ACTIONS, PROCEEDINGS AND
    OTHER MATTERS GENERALLY
    Chapter 51. Preliminary Provisions
  • § 5101.  Remedy to exist for legal injury.
    Every person for a legal injury done him in his lands, goods, person, or reputation shall have remedy by due course of law, and right ...
  • § 5101.1. Venue in medical professional liability actions.
  • § 5102.  Place and form of filing applications for relief.
    Applications for relief to any court under section 5101 (relating to remedy to exist for legal injury) or under any other provision of law, or ...
  • § 5103.  Transfer of erroneously filed matters.
    (a) General rule.--If an appeal or other matter is taken to or brought in a court or magisterial district of this Commonwealth which does not ...
  • § 5104.  Trial by jury.
    (a) General rule.--Except where the right to trial by jury is enlarged by statute, trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and the right thereof ...
  • § 5105.  Right to appellate review.
    (a) General rule.--There is a right of appeal under this subsection from the final order (including an order defined as a final order by general ...
  • § 5106.  Change of venue.
    The power to change the venue in civil and criminal cases shall be vested in the courts, to be exercised in such manner as shall ...
  • § 5107.  Service of process.
    Process may be served or executed on any day of the week except at any church, synagogue, meetinghouse or any place of worship. (Apr. 28, ...
  • § 5108.  Imprisonment for debt.
    (a) Constitutional restriction.--The person of a debtor, where there is not strong presumption of fraud, shall not be continued in prison after delivering up his ...
  • § 5110.  Limited waiver of sovereign immunity (Repealed).
    § 5110. Limited waiver of sovereign immunity (Repealed). 1980 Repeal. Section 5110 was repealed October 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, effective in 60 days. The subject ...
  • § 5111.  Limitations on damages (Repealed).
    § 5111. Limitations on damages (Repealed). 1980 Repeal. Section 5111 was repealed October 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, effective in 60 days. The subject matter is ...

  • Chapter 53. Bases of Jurisdiction and Interstate and
    International Procedure
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 5301.  Persons.
    (a) General rule.--The existence of any of the following relationships between a person and this Commonwealth shall constitute a sufficient basis of jurisdiction to enable ...
  • § 5302.  Land.
    The tribunals of this Commonwealth shall have jurisdiction over land situated within this Commonwealth whether or not the persons owning or claiming interests therein are ...
  • § 5303.  Chattels.
    The tribunals of this Commonwealth shall have jurisdiction over chattels situated within this Commonwealth whether or not the persons owning or claiming interests therein are ...
  • § 5304.  Documents.
    The tribunals of this Commonwealth shall have jurisdiction over documents situated within this Commonwealth whether or not the persons owning or claiming interests therein are ...
  • § 5305.  Corporate shares.
    The tribunals of this Commonwealth shall have jurisdiction, whether or not the persons owning or claiming interests in the shares or share certificates are subject ...
  • § 5306.  Obligations.
    The tribunals of this Commonwealth shall have jurisdiction over obligations owed by persons who are subject to the jurisdiction of the tribunals of this Commonwealth ...
  • § 5307.  Status.
    The judicial jurisdiction over status granted to the courts of this Commonwealth by the Constitution and statutes of this Commonwealth may be exercised: (1) to ...
  • § 5308.  Necessary minimum contacts.
    The tribunals of this Commonwealth may exercise jurisdiction under this subchapter only where the contact with this Commonwealth is sufficient under the Constitution of the ...

  • Subchapter B. Interstate and International Procedure
  • § 5321.  Short title of subchapter.
    This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform Interstate and International Procedure Act." Cross References. Section 5321 is referred to in ...
  • § 5322.  Bases of personal jurisdiction over persons outside this Commonwealth.
    § 5322. Bases of personal jurisdiction over persons outside this Commonwealth. (a) General rule.--A tribunal of this Commonwealth may exercise personal jurisdiction over a person ...
  • § 5323.  Service of process on persons outside this Commonwealth.
    § 5323. Service of process on persons outside this Commonwealth. (a) Manner of service.--When the law of this Commonwealth authorizes service of process outside this ...
  • § 5324.  Assistance to tribunals and litigants outside this Commonwealth with respect to service.
    § 5324. Assistance to tribunals and litigants outside this Commonwealth with respect to service. (a) General rule.--A court of record of this Commonwealth may order ...
  • § 5325.  When and how a deposition may be taken outside this Commonwealth.
    § 5325. When and how a deposition may be taken outside this Commonwealth. (a) General rule.--A deposition to obtain testimony or documents or other things ...
  • § 5326.  Assistance to tribunals and litigants outside this Commonwealth with respect to depositions.
    § 5326. Assistance to tribunals and litigants outside this Commonwealth with respect to depositions. (a) General rule.--A court of record of this Commonwealth may order ...
  • § 5327.  Determination of foreign law.
    (a) Notice.--A party who intends to raise an issue concerning the law of any jurisdiction or governmental unit thereof outside this Commonwealth shall give notice ...
  • § 5328.  Proof of official records.
    (a) Domestic record.--An official record kept within the United States, or any state, district, commonwealth, territory, insular possession thereof, or the Panama Canal Zone, the ...
  • § 5329.  Other provisions of law unaffected.
    Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, this subchapter does not repeal or modify any law of this Commonwealth: (1) Authorizing the exercise of jurisdiction ...

  • Subchapter C. Child Custody Jurisdiction (Repealed)
    § 5341 - § 5366 (Repealed).
    Chapter 55. Limitation of Time
    Subchapter A. General Provisions
  • § 5501.  Scope of chapter.
    (a) General rule.--An action, proceeding or appeal must be commenced within the time specified in or pursuant to this chapter unless, in the case of ...
  • § 5502.  Method of computing periods of limitation generally.
    (a) General rule.--The time within which a matter must be commenced under this chapter shall be computed, except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) or ...
  • § 5503.  Commencement of matters.
    (a) General rule.--A matter is commenced for the purposes of this chapter when a document embodying the matter is filed in an office authorized by ...
  • § 5504.  Judicial extension of time.
    (a) General rule.--Except as provided in section 1722 (c) (relating to time limitations) or in subsection (b) of this section, the time limited by this ...
  • § 5505.  Modification of orders.
    Except as otherwise provided or prescribed by law, a court upon notice to the parties may modify or rescind any order within 30 days after ...

  • Subchapter B. Civil Actions and Proceedings
  • § 5521.  Limitations on foreign claims.
    (a) Short title of section.--This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Uniform Statute of Limitations on Foreign Claims Act." (b) General ...
  • § 5522.  Six months limitation.
    (a) Notice prerequisite to action against government unit.-- (1) Within six months from the date that any injury was sustained or any cause of action ...
  • § 5523.  One year limitation.
    The following actions and proceedings must be commenced within one year: (1)