42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 9

in effect

42 Pa.C.S. § 9 Severability.

The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

42 Pa.C.S. § 901 Judicial districts.

(a) General rule.--The Commonwealth is divided into 60 judicial districts, numbered and composed as follows: First.--City and County of Philadelphia. Second.--County of Lancaster. Third.--County of Northampton. Fourth.--County of Tioga. Fifth.--County of Allegheny. Sixth.--County of Erie. Seventh.--County of Bucks. Eighth.--County of Northumberland. Ninth.--County of Cumberland. Tenth.--County of Westmoreland. Eleventh.--County of Luzerne. Twelfth.--County of Dauphin. Thirteenth.--County of Greene. Fourteenth.--County of Fayette. Fifteenth.--County of Chester. Sixteenth.--County of Somerset. Seventeenth.--Counties of Snyder and Union. Eighteenth.--County of Clarion. Nineteenth.--County of York. Twentieth.--County of Huntingdon. Twenty-first.--County of Schuylkill. Twenty-second.--County of Wayne. Twenty-third.--County of Berks. Twenty-fourth.--County of Blair. Twenty-fifth.--County of Clinton. Twenty-sixth.--Counties of Columbia and Montour. Twenty-seventh.--County of Washington. Twenty-eighth.--County of Venango. Twenty-ninth.--County of Lycoming. Thirtieth.--County of Crawford. Thirty-first.--County of Lehigh. Thirty-second.--County of Delaware. Thirty-third.--County of Armstrong. Thirty-fourth.--County of Susquehanna. Thirty-fifth.--County of Mercer. Thirty-sixth.--County of Beaver. Thirty-seventh.--Counties of Forest and Warren. Thirty-eighth.--County of Montgomery. Thirty-ninth.--Counties of Franklin and Fulton. Fortieth.--County of Indiana. Forty-first.--Counties of Juniata and Perry. Forty-second.--County of Bradford. Forty-third.--County of Monroe. Forty-fourth.--Counties of Sullivan and Wyoming. Forty-fifth.--County of Lackawanna. Forty-sixth.--County of Clearfield. Forty-seventh.--County of Cambria. Forty-eighth.--County of McKean. Forty-ninth.--County of Centre. Fiftieth.--County of Butler. Fifty-first.--County of Adams. Fifty-second.--County of Lebanon. Fifty-third.--County of Lawrence. Fifty-fourth.--County of Jefferson. Fifty-fifth.--County of Potter. Fifty-sixth.--County of Carbon. Fifty-seventh.--County of Bedford. Fifty-eighth.--County of Mifflin. Fifty-ninth.--Counties of Cameron and Elk. Sixtieth.--County of Pike. (b) Change in number or boundaries.--Except as otherwise provided therein, any statute amending subsection (a) so as to change the number or boundaries of the judicial districts of this Commonwealth shall take effect 30 days after the entry of an order of the Supreme Court evidencing the advice and consent of the court to the amendment pursuant to section 11 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania. (Apr. 8, 1982, P.L.292, No.82) 1982 Amendment. Section 2 of Act 82 provided that Act 82 shall take effect 30 days after the advice and consent of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is given by order of the court pursuant to section 11 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania. The consent of the Supreme Court was given by order of June 30, 1982, published at 12 Pa.B. 2264. Section 901 was amended by adding a 60th Judicial District composed of the County of Pike and removing that county from the 43rd Judicial District, and section 911 was amended by adding a judge to the 60th Judicial District and removing a judge from the 43rd Judicial District. Cross References. Section 901 is referred to in section 102 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 911 Courts of common pleas.

(a) General rule.--There shall be one court of common pleas for each judicial district of this Commonwealth consisting of the following number of judges: Number of Judges Judicial District First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Sixteenth Seventeenth Eighteenth Nineteenth Twentieth Twenty-first Twenty-second Twenty-third Twenty-fourth Twenty-fifth Twenty-sixth Twenty-seventh Twenty-eighth Twenty-ninth Thirtieth Thirty-first Thirty-second Thirty-third Thirty-fourth Thirty-fifth Thirty-sixth Thirty-seventh Thirty-eighth Thirty-ninth Fortieth Forty-first Forty-second Forty-third Forty-fourth Forty-fifth Forty-sixth Forty-seventh Forty-eighth Forty-ninth Fiftieth Fifty-first Fifty-second Fifty-third Fifty-fourth Fifty-fifth Fifty-sixth Fifty-seventh Fifty-eighth Fifty-ninth Sixtieth (a.1) Interim judgeship.--(Expired). (a.2) Fifteenth Judicial District.--(Expired). (b) Single county districts.--In single county judicial districts the court of common pleas of the district shall be known as the "Court of Common Pleas of (the respective) County." (c) Multicounty districts.--In multicounty judicial districts the court of common pleas of the district shall be known as the "Court of Common Pleas of the (respective) Judicial District." There shall be a separate branch of the court in each county comprising the judicial district. (Nov. 26, 1978, P.L.1264, No.301, eff. imd.; July 10, 1980, P.L.513, No.106; Apr. 8, 1982, P.L.292, No.82; July 10, 1984, P.L.708, No.150, eff. imd.; Dec. 22, 1986, P.L.1744, No.213, eff. 60 days; May 13, 1987, P.L.15, No.6, eff. imd.; Dec. 7, 1990, P.L.619, No.159, eff. imd.; Feb. 14, 1997, P.L.3, No.2, eff. imd.; Dec. 15, 1998, P.L.949, No.126; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.742, No.105, eff. imd.; June 22, 2001, P.L.388, No.28, eff. imd.; Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1705, No.215, eff. imd.; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1703, No.217, eff. imd.; Oct. 9, 2008, P.L.1352, No.98, eff. imd.; Nov. 23, 2010, P.L.1137, No.114, eff. 60 days; Oct. 30, 2017, P.L.802, No.49, eff. imd.; Dec. 14, 2023, P.L.435, No.58, eff. imd.) 2023 Amendment. Act 58 amended subsec. (a). See section 2 of Act 58 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability. 2017 Amendment. See section 3 of Act 49 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability. 2014 Expiration. Subsection (a.2) expired January 6, 2014. See Act 114 of 2010. 2010 Amendment. Act 114 added subsec. (a.2). 2008 Amendment. See section 8 of Act 98 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to the selection of additional judges. 2004 Amendment. See section 5 of Act 217 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to election of additional judges. 2002 Amendment. See section 7 of Act 215 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to election of additional judges. 2002 Expiration. Subsec. (a.1) expired January 8, 2002. See Act 28 of 2001. 2001 Amendment. See sections 2 and 3 of Act 28 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to election of additional judges and legislative findings. 2000 Amendment. See section 7 of Act 105 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to election of additional judges. 1998 Amendment. Act 126 amended the entire section, effective immediately as to subsec. (a) and January 1, 1999, as to the remainder of the section. Section 12 of Act 126 provided that the new judgeship for the fifty-second district added by the amendment of subsec. (a) shall be created on January 3, 2000, and shall be initially filled by election at the 1999 municipal election. 1997 Amendment. See section 2 of Act 2 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to the election of additional judges. 1990 Amendment. See sections 2 and 3 of Act 159 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to judgeships in First Judicial District and filling of new judgeships. 1984 Amendment. See section 3 of Act 150 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to election of additional judges. 1978 Amendment. See section 4 of Act 301 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to election of additional judges.

42 Pa.C.S. § 912 Powers of courts of common pleas.

Every court of common pleas shall have power to issue, under its judicial seal, every lawful writ and process to or to be served or enforced by system and related personnel as such courts have been heretofore authorized by law or usage to issue. Every judge of a court of common pleas shall have all the powers of a judge or magisterial district judge of the minor judiciary. (Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days) 2004 Amendment. See section 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of law.

42 Pa.C.S. § 913 Seats of courts.

The regular sessions of each court of common pleas shall be held at the county seat of each county comprising the judicial district and elsewhere as prescribed by general rule or rule of court.

42 Pa.C.S. § 914 Reimbursement for common pleas court costs.

For the purposes of reimbursement for common pleas court judge authorized positions, no county shall receive less than 77.5% of the actual reimbursement for court costs provided to them from funds appropriated for the fiscal year July 1, 1980, to June 30, 1981. (Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.742, No.105, eff. 60 days) 2000 Amendment. Act 105 added section 914. Cross References. Section 914 is referred to in section 915 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 915 Proportional reduction.

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 914 (relating to reimbursement for common pleas court costs), in the event that the total county court reimbursement qualifying for payment for any calendar year exceeds the amount appropriated by the General Assembly for such purpose, the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania shall proportionally reduce the amount of reimbursement for every county so that the total of all reimbursements does not exceed the amount appropriated. (July 17, 2007, P.L.123, No.37, eff. 60 days) 2007 Amendment. Act 37 added section 915.

42 Pa.C.S. § 916 Treatment courts.

(a) Establishment.--The court of common pleas of a judicial district and the Municipal Court of Philadelphia may establish, from available funds, one or more treatment courts which have specialized jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, veterans courts, drug courts, mental health courts and driving under the influence courts, whereby defendants are admitted to a court-supervised individualized treatment program. The court may adopt local rules for the administration of treatment courts and their related treatment services. The local rules may not be inconsistent with this section or any rules established by the Supreme Court. (b) Statewide treatment courts coordinator.--To the extent that funds are available, the Supreme Court may appoint a Statewide treatment courts coordinator. The coordinator may: (1) Encourage and assist in the establishment of treatment courts in each judicial district. (2) Identify sources of funding for treatment courts and their related treatment services, including the availability of grants. (3) Provide coordination and technical assistance for grant applications. (4) Develop model guidelines for the administration of treatment courts and their related treatment services. (5) Establish procedures for monitoring treatment courts and their related treatment services and for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment courts and their related treatment services. (c) Advisory committee.--The Supreme Court may establish, from available funds, an interdisciplinary and interbranch advisory committee to advise and assist the Statewide treatment courts coordinator in monitoring and administrating treatment courts Statewide. (d) Veterans courts.-- (1) If a court of common pleas of a judicial district or the Municipal Court of Philadelphia has established a veterans court under subsection (a), the court may provide for participation by defendants from another county or counties. (2) A court of common pleas of a judicial district or the Municipal Court of Philadelphia may join with the court in another county or counties to establish a multicounty veterans court. (e) Veterans track.--If a court of common pleas of a judicial district or the Municipal Court of Philadelphia established a treatment court under subsection (a), except for a veterans court, the court may establish a veterans track within the treatment court. As used in this subsection, the term "veterans track" means a program that utilizes some components of a veterans court, including, but not limited to, treatment resources and veteran mentors and does not have the population and judicial resources to sustain a full veterans court. (f) Local rules.--A court of common pleas of a judicial district or the Municipal Court of Philadelphia that established a veterans court, multicounty veterans court or veterans track under this section may adopt local rules for the administration of the courts and their related treatment services. The local rules may not be inconsistent with this section or any rules established by the Supreme Court. (June 3, 2010, P.L.207, No.30, eff. 60 days; Nov. 3, 2020, P.L.1090, No.111, eff. 60 days; July 21, 2025, P.L.127, No.38, eff. 90 days) Cross References. Section 916 is referred to in section 9771 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 916.1 Commerce courts.

(a) Establishment.--The court of common pleas of a judicial district may establish from available funds a commerce court that shall have specialized jurisdiction. In a court of common pleas that has established a commerce court under this section, the exclusive jurisdiction of cases relating to the following matters may be vested in the commerce court: (1) The internal affairs, governance, dissolution, liquidation, rights or obligations between or among owners and liability or indemnity of managers of business corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, professional associations, business trusts, joint ventures or other business enterprises, including any actions involving the interpretation of the rights or obligations under the organic law, articles of incorporation, bylaws or agreements governing these enterprises. (2) Disputes between or among two or more business enterprises relating to a transaction, business relationship or contract. (b) Rules.--The court may adopt local rules for the administration of commerce courts established under this section. The local rules may not be inconsistent with this section or any rule established by the Supreme Court. (c) Statewide commerce courts coordinator.--To the extent that funds are available, the Supreme Court may appoint a Statewide commerce courts coordinator. The coordinator may: (1) Encourage and assist in the establishment of commerce courts in each judicial district. (2) Develop model guidelines for the administration of commerce courts and their related services. (3) Establish procedures for monitoring commerce courts and for evaluating the effectiveness of commerce courts. (d) Advisory committee.--The Supreme Court may establish, from available funds, an interdisciplinary and interbranch advisory committee to advise and assist the Statewide commerce courts coordinator in monitoring and administrating commerce courts Statewide. (Nov. 3, 2020, P.L.1090, No.111, eff. 60 days) 2020 Amendment. Act 111 added section 916.1.

42 Pa.C.S. § 917 Housing courts.

(a) Establishment.--The court of common pleas of a judicial district may establish, from available funds, a housing court which shall have jurisdiction as provided under subsection (d). The court may adopt local rules for the administration of housing courts and their related services such as housing clinics to counsel code violators on their responsibilities and procedures to bring properties into code compliance. The local rules may not be inconsistent with this section or any rules established by the Supreme Court. (b) Statewide housing courts coordinator.--To the extent that funds are available, the Supreme Court may appoint a Statewide housing courts coordinator who may be assigned other responsibilities by the Supreme Court. The coordinator may: (1) Encourage and assist in the establishment of housing courts in each judicial district where the caseload justifies the establishment of such courts. (2) Identify sources of funding for housing courts and their related services, including the availability of grants. (3) Provide coordination and technical assistance for grant applications. (4) Develop model guidelines for the administration of housing courts and their related services. (5) Establish procedures for monitoring housing courts and their related services and for evaluating the effectiveness of housing courts and their related services. (c) Advisory committee.--The Supreme Court may establish, from available funds, an interdisciplinary and interbranch advisory committee to advise and assist the Statewide housing courts coordinator in monitoring and administering housing courts Statewide. (d) Jurisdiction of housing court.--In a court of common pleas which has established a housing court pursuant to this section, the exclusive jurisdiction of the following matters may be vested in the housing court: (1) Criminal and civil actions arising within the county under any other general or special law, ordinance, rule or regulation concerned with the health, safety or welfare of an occupant of a place used or intended for use as a place of human habitation. (2) Land use decisions appealed to the court of common pleas in accordance with Article X-A of the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, provided they relate to single-family and multifamily properties, or proceedings appealed to court in accordance with the act of June 13, 1961 (P.L.282, No.167), relating to the establishment of historic districts. (3) Appeals from government agencies under the former act of December 2, 1968 (P.L.1133, No.353), known as the Local Agency Law, or otherwise, relating to the housing, building, safety, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, health or fire ordinances and regulations of a municipal corporation within the county or of the county itself. (4) Matters arising under the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, which involve a place used or intended for use as a place of human habitation. (5) Matters arising under the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, which involve a place used, or intended for use, as a place of human habitation. (Oct. 27, 2010, P.L.875, No.90, eff. 180 days) 2010 Amendment. Act 90 added section 917.

42 Pa.C.S. § 931 Original jurisdiction and venue.

(a) General rule.--Except where exclusive original jurisdiction of an action or proceeding is by statute or by general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters) vested in another court of this Commonwealth, the courts of common pleas shall have unlimited original jurisdiction of all actions and proceedings, including all actions and proceedings heretofore cognizable by law or usage in the courts of common pleas. (b) Concurrent and exclusive jurisdiction.--The jurisdiction of the courts of common pleas under this section shall be exclusive except with respect to actions and proceedings concurrent jurisdiction of which is by statute or by general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 vested in another court of this Commonwealth or in the magisterial district judges. (c) Venue and process.--Except as provided by section 5101.1 (relating to venue in medical professional liability actions) and Subchapter B of Chapter 85 (relating to actions against Commonwealth parties), the venue of a court of common pleas concerning matters over which jurisdiction is conferred by this section shall be as prescribed by general rule. The process of the court shall extend beyond the territorial limits of the judicial district to the extent prescribed by general rule. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rule, in a proceeding to enforce an order of a government agency the process of the court shall extend throughout this Commonwealth. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; Sept. 28, 1978, P.L.788, No.152, eff. imd.; Oct. 5, 1980, P.L.693, No.142, eff. 60 days; Oct. 17, 2002, P.L.880, No.127, eff. 60 days; Nov. 30, 2004, P.L.1618, No.207, eff. 60 days) 2004 Amendment. Act 207 amended subsec. (b). See sections 28 and 29 of Act 207 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability and construction of law. 2002 Amendment. Act 127 amended subsec. (c). Section 5 of Act 127 provided that the amendment of subsec. (c) shall apply to all medical professional liability actions filed on or after the effective date of section 5. 1980 Amendment. Act 142 added present section 931 and repealed former section 931 relating to the same subject matter. Cross References. Section 931 is referred to in section 7796 of Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries).

42 Pa.C.S. § 932 Appeals from minor judiciary.

Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each court of common pleas shall have exclusive jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of the minor judiciary established within the judicial district.

42 Pa.C.S. § 933 Appeals from government agencies.

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503 (relating to reassignment of matters), each court of common pleas shall have jurisdiction of appeals from final orders of government agencies in the following cases: (1) Appeals from Commonwealth agencies in the following cases: (i) Determinations of the Department of Health in connection with any matters concerning birth records. Except as prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be as provided in 20 Pa.C.S. § 711(9) (relating to birth records) and 20 Pa.C.S. § 713 (relating to special provisions for Philadelphia County). (ii) Determinations of the Department of Transportation appealable under the following provisions of Title 75 (relating to vehicles): Section 1377 (relating to judicial review). Section 1550 (relating to judicial review). Section 4724(b) (relating to judicial review). Section 7303(b) (relating to judicial review). Section 7503(b) (relating to judicial review). Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue shall be in the county of the principal place of business of any salvor or messenger service, the location of any inspection station involved, the county where the arrest for a violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3802 (relating to driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance) was made in appeals involving the suspension of operating privileges under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1547 (relating to chemical testing to determine amount of alcohol or controlled substance) or the residence of any individual appellant where the venue is not otherwise fixed by this sentence. In the case of a nonresident individual venue, except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, shall be in the county in which the offense giving rise to the recall, cancellation, suspension or revocation of operating privileges occurred. (iii) (Deleted by amendment). (iv) Determinations of the Workers' Compensation Appeal Board appealable under the act of June 21, 1939 (P.L.566, No.284), known as The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be as provided in section 427 of the act. (v) Determinations of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board appealable under the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, except matters appealable under section 433, 444 or 710 of the act. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be as provided in the act. (vi) Determinations of the Department of Revenue reviewable under Article XXI of the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, or under any predecessor statute, in connection with the administration of the estate of a decedent. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, the venue of such matters shall be in the court having jurisdiction over the administration of the related estate. (vii) (Deleted by amendment). (viii) (Deleted by amendment). (ix) Determinations of the Department of Labor and Industry or the Department of Commerce reviewable under the act of December 15, 1980 (P.L.1203, No.222), known as the Building Energy Conservation Act. Except as otherwise prescribed by general rules, venue shall be in the county where the building is located. (2) Appeals from government agencies, except Commonwealth agencies, under Subchapter B of Chapter 7 of Title 2 (relating to judicial review of local agency action) or otherwise. (3) Appeals jurisdiction of which is vested in the courts of common pleas by any statute hereafter enacted. (b) Awards of arbitrators.--Except as otherwise prescribed by any general rule adopted pursuant to section 503, each court of common pleas shall have jurisdiction of petitions for review of an award of arbitrators appointed in conformity with statute to arbitrate a dispute between a government agency, except a Commonwealth agency, and an employee of such agency. The application shall be deemed an appeal from a government agency for the purposes of section 762(4) (relating to appeals from courts of common pleas) and Chapter 55 (relating to limitation of time). (c) Concurrent and exclusive jurisdiction.--Except as otherwise provided by statute or prescribed by general rule adopted pursuant to section 503: (1) The jurisdiction of a court of common pleas of a judicial district under this section shall be exclusive as to a government agency which has jurisdiction only within such judicial district, and shall be concurrent with the courts of common pleas of all judicial districts in which the government agency has jurisdiction where such agency has jurisdiction in more than one judicial district. (2) Whenever proceedings are commenced in two or more courts with respect to the same determination of a government agency, exclusive jurisdiction shall be vested in the court having jurisdiction in which such proceedings are first commenced. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; Dec. 5, 1980, P.L.1104, No.189, eff. imd.; Dec. 20, 1982, P.L.1409, No.326, eff. 60 days; June 5, 1998, P.L.451, No.63, eff. 60 days; Sept. 30, 2003, P.L.120, No.24, eff. Feb. 1, 2004; July 4, 2008, P.L.286, No.35, eff. July 1, 2008) 2008 Amendment. Act 35 deleted subsec. (a)(1)(vii). Section 2 of Act 35 provided that each court of common pleas shall retain jurisdiction over appeals of cases filed and pending with them prior to the effective date of Act 35. 2003 Amendment. Act 24 amended subsec. (a)(1)(ii). 1998 Amendment. Act 63 amended subsec. (a). 1978 Amendment. Act 53 added present section 933 and repealed former section 933 relating to the same subject matter. Transfer of Records. Section 6 of Act 189 of 1980 provided that the Prothonotary of the Commonwealth Court shall, except as otherwise ordered by the court in the interest of justice, transfer to the appropriate office of the clerk of the court of common pleas all dockets, records, pleadings and other papers, or certified copies thereof, relating to all pending matters jurisdiction of which is vested in another tribunal by reason of 42 Pa.C.S. § 761(a)(1)(iv) or 933(a)(1)(v) as added or amended by Act 189. References in Text. The Department of Commerce, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(ix), was renamed the Department of Community and Economic Development by Act 58 of 1996. Section 7503 of Title 75, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(ii), was deleted by amendment. The act of December 15, 1980, P.L.1203, No.222, known as the Building Energy Conservation Act, referred to in subsec. (a) (1) (ix), was repealed by the act of November 10, 1999, P.L.491, No.45. The subject matter is now contained in the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act. Cross References. Section 933 is referred to in sections 762, 763 of this title; sections 501, 561, 581, 701 of Title 2 (Administrative Law and Procedure); section 1506 of Title 4 (Amusements); sections 1553, 1554, 3805.1 of Title 75 (Vehicles).

42 Pa.C.S. § 934 Writs of certiorari.

Unless and until changed by general rule, the judges of the courts of common pleas, within their respective judicial districts, shall have power, in addition to the right of appeal under section 9 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, to issue writs of certiorari to the minor judiciary. Cross References. Section 934 is referred to in section 102 of this title.

42 Pa.C.S. § 951 Court divisions.

(a) Philadelphia County.--The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County shall have the following divisions: (1) Trial division. (2) Orphans' court division. (3) Family court division. (b) Allegheny County.--The Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County shall have the following divisions: (1) Civil division. (2) Criminal division. (3) Orphans' court division. (4) Family division. (c) Other separate orphans' court divisions.--The courts of common pleas of Beaver, Berks, Bucks, Cambria, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Fayette, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Montgomery, Schuylkill, Washington, Westmoreland and York counties shall each have a separate orphans' court division. (d) Judicial districts having no separate orphans' court division.--In each judicial district having no separate orphans' court division, there shall be an orphans' court division composed of the court of common pleas of that judicial district. (e) Change in size of divisions.--The number of judges constituting a division may be increased or reduced by order of the governing authority.

42 Pa.C.S. § 952 Status of court divisions.

The divisions of a court of common pleas are administrative units composed of those judges of the court responsible for the transaction of specified classes of the business of the court. In a court of common pleas having two or more divisions each division of the court is vested with the full jurisdiction of the whole court, but the business of the court may be allocated among the divisions of the court by or pursuant to general rules.

42 Pa.C.S. § 953 Administrative judges of divisions.

Each division of a court of common pleas shall have an administrative judge who shall assist the president judge of the court in supervising and administering the business of the court and shall be responsible to him. (Dec. 20, 1982, P.L.1409, No.326, eff. 60 days)

42 Pa.C.S. § 961 Domestic relations section.

Each court of common pleas shall have a domestic relations section, which shall consist of such probation officers and other staff of the court as shall be assigned thereto.

42 Pa.C.S. § 962 Other sections.

Each court of common pleas shall have such other sections as may be provided or prescribed by law.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=42Fetched: 10/16/2026