General Information: What are Court Boards and Committees?

            The seventeen Boards and Committees are comprised of more than 180 citizen volunteers from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  These volunteers serve tirelessly, without pay, devoting thousands of hours (in 2006, a conservative total of 11,200 hours) helping to assure that Pennsylvanians have access to a unified judicial system that is equitable, effective and efficient.  Generally, committees of the Court are supported by state General Fund revenues while Court boards are funded by fees or assessments on attorneys.

            Typically, members meet multiple times each year in various counties throughout Pennsylvania, or occasionally via electronic or telephonic conference.  They also devote additional time in reviewing board or committee work and helping to craft proposed rules, policies or procedures.  Although members are not compensated for their time, reasonable travel expenses to attend meetings are reimbursable.

            The court selects members primarily on the basis of experience and expertise in the specific subject area of each board, committee or commission.  We highly desire diversity of membership in all aspects of that term.  The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.

            In a few instances, appointments are reserved for persons with specific expertise or to ensure specific geographical or jurisdictional representation.  Laypersons (those who are not lawyers or judges) are eligible for appointments to nine of the boards and committees and two of the commissions.  Term lengths are typically three years, with an option for a second three-year term, though variances to this practice are possible at the Supreme Court’s discretion.