News
2010
List by Year
National Court Nonprofit Recognizes Pa. Court Administrator with 2010 Burger Award
Williamsburg, Va. (Dec. 15, 2010) — Zygmont A. Pines, court administrator of Pennsylvania, has been named the recipient of the 2010 Warren E. Burger Award for Excellence in Court Administration by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC)....December 14
Acting Supreme Court Prothonotary Made Permanent
HARRISBURG, Dec. 8, 2010 – Irene M. Bizzoso, Esq., today was appointed Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania after serving nearly a year in the post in an acting capacity. ...December 07
Judge Stevens Elected as President Judgeof the Superior Court of PA
HARRISBURG, PA, November 18, 2010—Superior Court Judge Correale Stevens, of Sugarloaf, has been elected to a five-year term as President Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and will succeed President Judge Kate Ford Elliott when her term of office ends in January. ...November 17
Supreme Court Holds Ceremony for Posthumous Admission to PA BarLawyer George B. Vashon’s Credentials Recognized after 160 Years
PITTSBURGH, October 18, 2010—On October 20 at 9:30 a.m., in the Supreme Court Courtroom, 801 City County Building, Pittsburgh, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will hold a ceremony for the posthumous admission of George B. Vashon to the Pennsylvania Bar. The ceremony is open to the public and media coverage is invited. ...October 18
Supreme Court Creates Conduct Code for Court Employees
HARRISBURG, Oct. 4, 2010 - The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has adopted a comprehensive Code of Conduct that applies to approximately 15,000 state-level and countylevel court employees....October 04
Superior Court to Hold Special Session in Jim Thorpe
HARRISBURG, September 20, 2010 - A panel of Pennsylvania Superior Court judges will hold a special session in the Carbon County Courthouse in Jim Thorpe on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 21 and 22, 2010....September 20
Foreclosure Mediation Encouraged for County Courts
HARRISBURG, September 8, 2010—With mortgage foreclosure levels historically high and expected to go higher, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is asking county court officials to consider developing foreclosure mediation programs. ...September 08
Pennsylvania Judiciary LaunchesNew Interactive Access to Court Information
HARRISBURG, Aug. 25, 2010—The Pennsylvania Judiciary Web site has expanded its reach to court information and services through a new online feature that makes it easier for the public to interact with the Judiciary. ...August 25
Out-of-state Attorney Admission Fees IncreasedTo Expand Student Loan Forgiveness Program
HARRISBURG, Aug. 24, 2010 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has increased fees for out-of-state lawyers who practice in the Commonwealth in order to finance a student loan forgiveness program for attorneys employed by agencies that help people who cannot afford legal representation. ...August 24
Court Releases “Historic” Child Dependency Guide
HARRISBURG, PA, July 22, 2010—A comprehensive reference guide designed to better prepare family court judges and child dependency practitioners for the complex legal issues and special needs of abused and neglected children is being released today by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. ...July 22
Should Improve Jury Diversity, Cut CostsPennsylvania Courts Help Develop National ‘Jury Management Tool’
HARRISBURG, PA, July 12, 2010—Pennsylvania courts now have a new software tool designed to identify areas of strength and weakness in jury operations, suggest targeted strategies to improve performance, and estimate the fiscal and operational impact of those improvement efforts. ...July 12
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Student Loan Assistance to Boost Public Legal Service
HARRISBURG, June 28, 2010 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced a student loan forgiveness program for attorneys employed by agencies that help people who cannot afford legal representation....June 28
Chadwick Hired to Take Over Review of Family Court Contract
PHILADELPHIA, June 9, 2010—Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille has announced that the Supreme Court and the First Judicial District have engaged Chadwick Associates, a Washington, D.C., consulting firm led by William G. Chadwick, Esquire, to complete a review of a preconstruction development contract relating to a new courthouse for Philadelphia Family Court. ...June 09
Chief Justice Praises Juvenile Justice Commission
HARRISBURG, May 27, 2010 - Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille today issued a statement thanking the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice for "performing a vitally important public service." ...May 27
Interbranch Panel Issues Report and RecommendationsFor Improving Juvenile Justice System and Other Reforms
HARRISBURG, May 27, 2010—The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice today adopted its final Report on failures in the juvenile justice system of Luzerne County and made a broad series of recommendations for strengthening and improving the justice system statewide. ...May 27
PA Supreme Court Holds Annual Children’s Roundtable MeetingEfforts Are Reducing the Number of Children in Foster Care
HARRISBURG, May 27, 2010—United by the common goal of improving the lives of abused and neglected children, judges, children and youth service administrators, and state and local child welfare experts from throughout the Commonwealth today convened in Harrisburg to kick off the fourth Annual State Children’s Roundtable. ...May 27
Development Contract for Family Court Cancelled
PHILADELPHIA, May 26, 2010 - The First Judicial District has cancelled a contract with Northwest 15th Street Associates for the interim pre-development funding of a new Philadelphia Family Court building. ...May 26
Final Session of Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice Report and Recommendations to be Issued
HARRISBURG, May 24, 2010—The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice will meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 27, at the Pennsylvania Judicial Center, 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Harrisburg, to adopt and issue its Final Report and Recommendations. A news conference will follow at approximately 11 a.m. Your coverage is invited. ...May 24
New Family Court to be Built in Philadelphia Chief Justice Praises Release of Funds for the Project
HARRISBURG, May 21, 2010 - Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille said today that a new Family Court in Philadelphia - a project that for years has seemed unattainable - is on its way to becoming a reality. ...May 21
Statement of the Chief Justice of PennsylvaniaIn Recognition of Juror Appreciation Week
HARRISBURG, May 18, 2010 - Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille today issued a statement in appreciation of citizens who have served on juries throughout the Commonwealth during the past year. ...May 18
Cites Collaboration to Preserve Rights, Reduce Costs, Improve LivesChief Justice Issues State of the Commonwealth’s Courts
HARRISBURG, April 29, 2010 - Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille today applauded the work of many, within and outside the court system, who have collaborated in the past year to “right wrongs, streamline court processes and preserve citizens’ rights.” ...April 29
Latest Medical Malpractice data show number of cases and verdicts reach new low
HARRISBURG, April 20, 2010 — Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille today announced the release of state court system data on medical malpractice case filings and verdicts for 2009 that show a further decline in the number of lawsuits filed against health care providers statewide for a fifth consecutive year. ...April 20
Regulations and Fees Approved for Court Interpreters
HARRISBURG, April 5, 2010—The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has approved regulations governing the appointment and use of court interpreters to assist persons with limited English skills or who are deaf or hearing-impaired during court proceedings...April 05
Juvenile Justice Panel Schedules April Hearings
HARRISBURG, March 29, 2010 - The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice which is investigating failures in the juvenile justice system in Luzerne County will hold public hearings on Thursday, April 1, in Wilkes-Barre, and on Monday, April 12, in Harrisburg. ...March 29
New cover sheet to be requiredfor commencing most civil actions
HARRISBURG, March 1, 2010 — A new court form designed for people filing civil actions is being introduced by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to enhance the flow and analysis of the thousands of cases processed annually by the Courts of Common Pleas. ...February 28
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces AppointmentTo Criminal Procedural Rules Committee
HARRISBURG, Feb. 25, 2010 — The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania today announced the appointment of the Hon. Paul M. Yatron to the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee. ...February 24
Juvenile Hearing Canceled Due to Weather Concern
HARRISBURG, February 24, 2010 - The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice has canceled a public hearing scheduled for tomorrow, February 25, in Wilkes-Barre because of winter storm predictions for tomorrow and Friday. ...February 23
Juvenile Justice Panel Schedules Hearing in Wilkes-Barre
HARRISBURG, February 23, 2010 - The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice which is investigating failures in the juvenile justice system in Luzerne County will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 25, in Wilkes-Barre. ...February 22
Copying Fees Reduced New Policy Improves Access to District Court Records
HARRISBURG, January 25, 2010 - The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) has created a new public access policy to improve the process of obtaining records in 546 magisterial district courts throughout Pennsylvania. ...January 24
Juvenile Justice Panel Sets New Round of Hearings
HARRISBURG, January 19, 2010 - The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice which is investigating failures in the juvenile justice system in Luzerne County will hold hearings on Thursday and Friday, January 21 and 22, at the Pennsylvania Judicial Center near the State Capitol. ...January 18