Rule 102. General.
(a) Purpose. The public properly expects that judges will maintain professional competence and ethical behavior. These rules are intended to meet the public’s expectations by promulgating mandatory continuing education requirements for Pennsylvania judges.
The continuing judicial education program is adopted to assure that judges continue their education to have and maintain the requisite knowledge and skill to fulfill their judicial responsibilities. To satisfy this requirement, judges must participate in continuing judicial education programs or activities that reinforce and enhance their judicial practice.
Comment See Supreme Court Order of December 9, 2016, No. 719 Supreme Court Rules Docket.
(b) Scope. Justices of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and judges of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, the Courts of Common Pleas, and Philadelphia Municipal Court, and certified senior judges of these courts, must complete a program of continuing judicial education as of January 1, 2017 and thereafter. All exceptions and exemptions from this requirement must have the approval of the Continuing Judicial Education Board of Judges (‘‘Board’’).
(c) Definitions. Subject to any definitions contained in subsequent rules, the following words and phrases, when used in these rules, shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following meanings:
‘‘Accredited Provider.’’ A provider of continuing judicial education that has been approved to provide judicial education courses or activities for judicial education credit in accordance with these rules.
‘‘Alternative Education Activity.’’ A nontraditional continuing education program or activity.
‘‘Applicant.’’ A non-accredited provider or a provider who has lost accreditation.
‘‘Board.’’ The Continuing Judicial Education Board of Judges established by the Supreme Court’s Order of December 9, 2016.
‘‘CJE.’’ Continuing judicial education to be provided under these rules.
‘‘Department.’’ The Judicial Education Department of the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
‘‘Distance Education.’’ Education that is delivered remotely.
‘‘Judge.’’ A commissioned jurist in the Commonwealth’s Unified Judicial System who is a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, a judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, a judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, a judge of a Court of Common Pleas, or a judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court. The term also includes judges serving on the aforementioned courts in senior status pursuant to Pa.R.J.A. No. 701.
‘‘Judicial Education.’’ Includes topics of study that encompass substantive and procedural law and judicial ethics, as well as topics to enhance judicial skills, including, but not limited to, case management, legal writing, legal history, philosophy of law, and the physical and social sciences.
‘‘Judicial Practice.’’ Includes, but is not limited to, a judge’s knowledge, competence, and proficiency in the areas of substantive law, procedural law, judicial ethics, and judicial procedures.
‘‘Provider.’’ A person or entity that delivers continuing judicial education under these rules.
‘‘Supreme Court.’’ The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
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