Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 29.11 - Administrative Judges Appointed by the Supreme CourtUnder 201 Pa. Code Rule 706(d), the authority of each Administrative Judge who presides over and administers a division of a court, which division has three or more judges, shall include, but not be limited by, the following papers:
(1) The Administrative Judge for each division of a Court of Common Pleas shall be appointed by the Supreme Court and shall serve as such at the pleasure of the Court.(2) The Administrative Judge shall have administrative supervision over the Judges of the division in the exercise of their jurisdiction.(3) In exercising the administrative supervision prescribed, the Administrative Judge shall have the following general powers for facilitating the speedy and proper administration of justice in those divisions. (i) To assign individual judges (including visiting judges and available judges from other divisions) to preside in cases, in designated court rooms and, from time to time to reassign the individual judges therein. Such assignments shall be for a reasonable period of time and no judge shall, without his consent, be assigned for any unreasonable or indefinite term to any specified duty.(ii) The Administrative Judge shall appoint and assign all personnel of the division. However, each judge shall have power of appointment and assignment of a secretary, a tipstaff, and a law clerk, which comprise the personal staff of the appointing judge.(iii) The Administrative Judge shall have the duty and authority to designate and use of all rooms assigned to the division for judicial uses, excepting chambers of each judge.(iv) To provide for, establish and maintain consolidated lists (i.e., motions, jury trial, nonjury trial, equity, arraignment, etc.), and to provide and establish procedures necessary and proper to implement these practices.(v) To formulate, establish and maintain such procedures as are necessary to promote, encourage and implement waivers of civil jury trials.(vi) To require that sessions of the division shall be of such nature and duration that there may be maximum dispositions of business consistent with the number of judges and rooms available and the proper administration of justice in the causes concerned.(vii) To report periodically to the President Judge and the Supreme Court facts and statistics concerning the dispatch of business under this program and to make such additional recommendations for changes or improvements in rules and procedures as may further expedite the proper administration of justice.(viii) To make rules and regulations and do any and all things necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and intent of the general powers granted to the Administrative Judge herein.(4) The Administrative Judge shall have power to assign one or more judges to sit variously to screen, pre-try, conciliate and settle such cases as may be allotted-which assignments shall be subject to the same limitations as any other assignments made by the Administrative Judge to the extent provided in these Rules. Any judge so assigned may appoint, with the approval of the Administrative Judge, a Special Master or Masters to assist in the performance of these various functions and shall have power, with the approval of the Administrative Judge, to issue rules and regulations governing the conduct of the phases of work herein recited.
(6) This directive, which further defines the previously promulgated Rule of Judicial Administration, is promulgated pursuant to Article V, Section 10(c) of the Pennsylvania Constitution which empowers this Court to prescribe lawfully for "the administration of all courts and supervision of all officers of the Judicial Branch. . . ." and 42 Pa.C.S. § 325(e) defining the powers of president judges, and authorizing change in those powers by general rule or order of this Court as governing authority.The provisions of this §29.11 adopted April 11, 1986, effective 4/11/1986, 16 Pa.B. 1484; amended May 24, 2013, effective immediately, 43 Pa.B. 3097.