< Rule L1920.51. Appointment of Court Hearing Officer, Notice of Hearing, Prehearing, and Continuances | Rules | Rule L1920.51B. Fees and Costs. >

Rule L1920.51A. Appointment of Court Hearing Officer.

1. The Court may appoint by separate order the Court Hearing Officer who shall not engage in any private domestic relations matters and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Court.

2. The Court may appoint other attorneys to serve as Court Hearing Officers in cases where it is not reasonable to appoint the permanent Court Hearing Officer. In such cases the Court shall attempt to appoint as Court Hearing Officers in complex or potentially protracted litigation attorneys who have at least five years experience as practicing members of the Bar of this Court with emphasis or expertise in divorce and related matters.

3. All matters which may by statute or rule be referred to the Court Hearing Officer shall be heard by a Court Hearing Officer in the absence of a Court Order to the contrary.

4. The Court Hearing Officer shall have authority to grant continuances.

5. All actions for divorce or annulment, and all claims for alimony, alimony pendente lite, equitable distribution of marital property, counsel fees, costs, expenses or any aspect thereof, shall be heard by the Court Hearing Officer in the absence of court order to the contrary.

6. A motion for appointment of a Court Hearing Officer shall be in the form prescribed by Form L1920.74 and shall be accompanied by a certificate of the moving party that the moving party has complied with the filing requirements of PA R.C.P. 1920.31(a)(1), 1920.33(a) and 1920.46 unless the moving party certifies that one of those rules is inapplicable. Motions for appointment of a Court Hearing Officer shall be filed in accordance with the Local Rule L206. A Court Hearing Officer shall not be appointed until the moving party has, and may not be appointed where the nonmoving party has not, complied with Pa. R.C.P. 1920.31(a)(1), 1920.33(a) and 1920.46, if applicable, unless the Court has made an order pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 4019. A copy of the motion shall be filed with the permanent Court Hearing Officer.