News

Supreme Court Makes Appointments to Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee

January 23, 2006

HARRISBURG, Jan. 24, 2006 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointments of the Hon. Kim Berkeley Clark and the Hon. Kevin M. Dougherty to the Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee. Judge Clark was appointed in her capacity as Administrative Judge of the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County for a term of three years or at the pleasure of the Supreme Court. Judge Dougherty was appointed in his capacity as Administrative Judge of the Family Division of the First Judicial District, Philadelphia, for a term of three years or at the pleasure of the Supreme Court. Judge Dougherty also was designated vice chair. The Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee was created by the Supreme Court on June 30, 1987. The committee is designed to simplify domestic relations practice by recommending amendments to the procedural rules relating to support, custody, divorce and protection from abuse. The committee also reviews new legislation and court decisions to ensure that the rules conform with developments in the law as well as the realities of domestic relations practice. It is the goal of the committee to promote statewide uniformity of practice, to streamline procedure and to encourage the expeditious disposition of family law matters. Committee members include family law judges, practitioners and a district court administrator. Members are appointed to three-year terms.