News
2005
List by Year
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Sets New Standards Governing Consumer Credit Collection Claims
HARRISBURG, December 29, 2005 — Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ralph J. Cappy today announced that new Rules of Civil Procedure have been adopted by the Supreme Court to provide a more efficient means to resolve disputes between credit card companies and card holders....December 28
Tabas Appointed to Continuing Legal Education Board;Golden Named Chair; Shuster, Vice Chair
HARRISBURG, December 23, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of Lawrence J. Tabas, Esq., to the Continuing Legal Education Board....December 22
Judge Kate Ford Elliott Chosen Superior Court of Pennsylvania President Judge
HARRISBURG, December 14, 2005 — The Superior Court of Pennsylvania today announced the election of Judge Kate Ford Elliott as its president judge....December 13
Medical Malpractice Rules Amended to Clarify Certificate of Merit Requirements
HARRISBURG, December 5, 2005 — Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ralph J. Cappy announced that a court rule governing certain aspects of medical malpractice litigation was amended today to clarify the requirements for certificates of merit....December 04
Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness to Hold Seminars on Jury Diversity and Participation
HARRISBURG, November 22, 2005 — An advisory body to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will be holding a series of seminars across the Commonwealth to promote public participation and ethnic, gender and racial diversity on juries....November 21
Pennsylvania to Develop Statewide Education Program for Judges Who Try Death-Penalty Cases
HARRISBURG, November 4, 2005 — Pennsylvania is developing a statewide education program for trial court judges who hear capital murder cases that will be among the first of its kind in the nation....November 03
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Implements Statewide Procedures for Specialized Drug Courts
HARRISBURG, November 3, 2005 — Guidelines for creating problem-solving courts in Pennsylvania have been approved by the state Supreme Court. Initially focused on creating additional courts that specialize in drug law violations by non-violent offenders, the guidelines establish statewide procedures for the courts’ voluntary creation in the 57 Pennsylvania counties that do not presently have them....November 02
Rules Change Allows Pennsylvania Lawyer Disciplinary Process to Come Under Public Review
HARRISBURG, October 26, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today issued a historic order removing the long-standing veil of confidentiality of the lawyer disciplinary process in the Commonwealth....October 26
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Reappointments to Criminal Procedural Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, October 13, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the reappointment of four members to the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee and the redesignation of the advisory group’s chair....October 13
Pennsylvania Judiciary Seeks Public Input on Web Site Redesign
HARRISBURG, October 3, 2005 — As part of its ongoing computerization efforts, Pennsylvania’s state court system plans to fully “re-develop” its Web site (www.courts.state.pa.us) over the next 18 months, Court Administrator of Pennsylvania Zygmont A. Pines announced today. As part of that redevelopment, the Judiciary hopes to obtain citizen feedback about the current Web site to make the new site as comprehensive and navigable as possible....October 03
Storey appointed to Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board
HARRISBURG, September 28, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of Robert L. Storey to the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board....September 28
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Appointments to Civil Procedural Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, September 26, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointments of Gary A. Rochestie, Esq., and William F. Stewart, Esq., to the Civil Procedural Rules Committee....September 26
Wallitsch and Dougherty Designated Chair and Vice Chair of Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, September 21, 2005 - The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the designation of Nancy Perpall Wallitsch, Esq., as chair of the Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee....September 21
Pennsylvania Court and Child Welfare Agencies to Participate in National Landmark Meeting to Reform Foster Care System
HARRISBURG, Sept. 19, 2005 — Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Max Baer and other state court and child welfare agency officials will participate in an unprecedented national effort to better protect abused and neglected children who are in the court system....September 19
AOPC Seeks Input on Public Access Guidelines Governing Electronic Court Records
HARRISBURG, Sept. 19, 2005 — The AOPC is seeking comment on a proposed public access policy concerning electronic case records of the Unified Judicial System....September 19
Order Allows Lawyers Displaced by Hurricane Katrina to Continue to Provide Legal Services to Citizens
HARRISBURG, Sept. 19, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today issued an order that temporarily modifies the circumstances under which out-of-state attorneys impacted by Hurricane Katrina can practice law in the Commonwealth....September 19
Nancy Perpall Wallitsch Reappointed to Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, Sept. 1, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the reappointment of Nancy Perpall Wallitsch, Esq., to the Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee....September 12
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Reappointments to Lawyers Trust Account Board
HARRISBURG, August 29, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the reappointment of Lewis F. Gould Jr., Esq. and M. Mark Mendel, Esq.. to the Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA) Board....August 29
Pennsylvania Judiciary Urges Caution in Dealing with Phony Jury Duty Scam
HARRISBURG, August 15, 2005 —Court Administrator of Pennsylvania Zygmont A. Pines is cautioning residents across the Commonwealth to be wary of fake e-mails and phone calls seeking personal information about jury duty....August 15
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Appointment of Juvenile Court Rules Committee Member
HARRISBURG, July 29, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of Mark R. Zimmer, Esq., to the Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee....July 29
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Appointment to Criminal Procedural Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, July 22, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of Dennis J. Cogan, Esq., to the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee....July 22
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Appointment to Civil Procedural Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, July 20, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of James R. Ronca, Esq., to the Civil Procedural Rules Committee....July 20
Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness Commission Continues to Move Forward on a Number of Fronts
HARRISBURG, July 13, 2005 — An intergovernmental advisory group charged with making recommendations to all three branches of state government regarding gender, racial and ethnic fairness is continuing its work to promote the equal application of the law for all of the Commonwealth’s citizens....July 13
Chief Justice Applauds Legislature and Governor for Enacting New Salary Structure
HARRISBURG, July 8 — Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ralph J. Cappy today lauded the General Assembly and Gov. Edward Rendell for enacting legislation that promotes a new salary structure for top office holders within all three branches of state government....July 08
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Reappointment to Disciplinary Board
HARRISBURG, May 5, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the reappointment of Robert C. Saidis, Esq., to the Disciplinary Board....May 05
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Appointment to Board of Law Examiners
HARRISBURG, May 2, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of Jeanette H. Ho, Esq., to the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners....May 02
Three Members Reappointed to Minor Court Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, April 22, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the reappointment of three members of the Minor Court Rules Committee....April 22
Allegheny County Judge Eugene F. Scanlon, Jr.Reappointed to Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, April 21, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the reappointment of the Hon. Eugene F. Scanlon Jr., of Pittsburgh, to the Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee....April 21
Updated Medical Malpractice Data Shows Continued Decline in Case Filings
HARRISBURG, April 11, 2005 — Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ralph J. Cappy today released data on medical malpractice case filings and verdicts for 2004, and an updated listing of previously disclosed statistics for the last four years....April 11
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Adopts Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure
HARRISBURG, April 5, 2005 — New rules adopted by Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court for the first time will establish uniform statewide procedures in juvenile courts that apply to all phases of delinquency cases that enter the state court system....April 05
Officers Designated and Reappointments Made to Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board
HARRISBURG, March 28, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the reappointment of two members of the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board, and the designation of a chair and vice-chair....March 27
Philadelphia Judge Myrna P. Field Reappointed to Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, March 17, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the reappointment of the Hon. Myrna P. Field, of Philadelphia, to the Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee....March 16
Greitzer and Reich Appointed to Continuing Legal Education Board
HARRISBURG, March 15, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointments of Martin Greitzer, Esq., and Abraham C. Reich, Esq., to the Continuing Legal Education Board....March 14
Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness Commission to Provide Collaborative Forum for Variety of Issues
HARRISBURG, March 4, 2005 — Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ralph J. Cappy today announced the formation of a 24-member Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness to promote the equal application of the law for all citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania....March 03
Medical Malpractice Rule Amended to Clarify Certificate of Merit Requirement
HARRISBURG, February 11, 2005 — Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ralph J. Cappy today announced that a court rule governing certain aspects of medical malpractice litigation was amended to better explain requirements for certificates of merit....February 10
Supreme Court Approves Distance Learning as CLE Option
HARRISBURG, Jan. 11, 2005 —The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has authorized the Continuing Legal Education Board to continue the accreditation of Internet or computer-based CLE programs....January 20
Philadelphia Family Court Pilot Program Addresses Teen-age Drug Offenders
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 10, 2005 — Who’s taking care of the children?...January 09
District Justices to Become Magisterial District Judges
HARRISBURG, January 6, 2005 — Pennsylvania’s minor court jurists, who preside over the lion’s share of cases entering the state court system, are getting new titles to better reflect their responsibilities....January 05
Supreme Court Announces Changes on Orphans’ Court Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, January 6, 2005 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the following changes on the Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee:...January 05