Minor Court Rules Committee

The Minor Court Rules Committee is charged by the Supreme Court with examining and evaluating the rules and standards regarding magisterial district judges' conduct, offices of magisterial district judges and civil matters in the magisterial district courts.

The committee reviews Pennsylvania court cases and legislation to identity decisional or statutory changes that affect magisterial district court procedure and necessitate amendments to the rules or other action by the court. Committee members and staff also speak at conferences and seminars to inform lawyers and court personnel of recent and proposed changes in the procedural rules related to rules of conduct as well as civil matters in the magisterial district courts.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania established the Minor Court Rules Committee in 1990. It replaced a previous committee that was called the Minor Court Civil Procedural Rules Committee.

Committee appointments are typically for six-year terms. In special circumstances the Supreme Court may extend or reduce the term of an appointment. Committee members are appointed by the Supreme Court and are knowledgeable about the Pennsylvania Rules of Conduct, Office Standards and civil procedure for magisterial district judges and courts, and experienced in magisterial district court practice. The Minor Court Rules Committee has one ex-officio member who is identified by, and is a member of, the Pennsylvania Association of Court Management.