Mediation

(a) The court of common pleas may promulgate a local rule of procedure pursuant to Pa.R.J.A. 103(d) permitting mediation of residential landlord-tenant actions in proceedings commenced pursuant to Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 502. (b) A local rule promulgated pursuant to this rule shall not require mediation as a precondition to filing a complaint. (c) The president judge shall approve entities and individuals authorized to conduct mediation in the judicial district. Comment: As used in this rule, mediation means a process, however labeled, by which a neutral third party assists the parties in attempting to reach a mutually acceptable agreement on issues arising out of a residential landlord-tenant action. The requirements for the promulgation and amendment of local procedural rules are set forth in Pa.R.J.A. 103(d). A local rule may address aspects of a mediation program, such as whether mediation is mandatory or voluntary, or the types of landlord-tenant actions subject to mediation, i.e. , nonpayment of rent, end-of-lease terms, or breach of conditions of the lease. See also Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 209(c)(2)(ii) pertaining to continuances. This rule does not require a judicial district to create, fund, or staff a mediation program. Source The provisions of this Rule 504.1 added July 31, 2025, effective October 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 5859. (b) A local rule promulgated pursuant to this rule shall not require mediation as a precondition to filing a complaint. (c) The president judge shall approve entities and individuals authorized to conduct mediation in the judicial district. Comment: As used in this rule, mediation means a process, however labeled, by which a neutral third party assists the parties in attempting to reach a mutually acceptable agreement on issues arising out of a residential landlord-tenant action. The requirements for the promulgation and amendment of local procedural rules are set forth in Pa.R.J.A. 103(d). A local rule may address aspects of a mediation program, such as whether mediation is mandatory or voluntary, or the types of landlord-tenant actions subject to mediation, i.e. , nonpayment of rent, end-of-lease terms, or breach of conditions of the lease. See also Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 209(c)(2)(ii) pertaining to continuances. This rule does not require a judicial district to create, fund, or staff a mediation program. Source The provisions of this Rule 504.1 added July 31, 2025, effective October 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 5859. (c) The president judge shall approve entities and individuals authorized to conduct mediation in the judicial district. Comment: As used in this rule, mediation means a process, however labeled, by which a neutral third party assists the parties in attempting to reach a mutually acceptable agreement on issues arising out of a residential landlord-tenant action. The requirements for the promulgation and amendment of local procedural rules are set forth in Pa.R.J.A. 103(d). A local rule may address aspects of a mediation program, such as whether mediation is mandatory or voluntary, or the types of landlord-tenant actions subject to mediation, i.e. , nonpayment of rent, end-of-lease terms, or breach of conditions of the lease. See also Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 209(c)(2)(ii) pertaining to continuances. This rule does not require a judicial district to create, fund, or staff a mediation program. Source The provisions of this Rule 504.1 added July 31, 2025, effective October 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 5859. Comment: As used in this rule, mediation means a process, however labeled, by which a neutral third party assists the parties in attempting to reach a mutually acceptable agreement on issues arising out of a residential landlord-tenant action. The requirements for the promulgation and amendment of local procedural rules are set forth in Pa.R.J.A. 103(d). A local rule may address aspects of a mediation program, such as whether mediation is mandatory or voluntary, or the types of landlord-tenant actions subject to mediation, i.e. , nonpayment of rent, end-of-lease terms, or breach of conditions of the lease. See also Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 209(c)(2)(ii) pertaining to continuances. This rule does not require a judicial district to create, fund, or staff a mediation program. Source The provisions of this Rule 504.1 added July 31, 2025, effective October 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 5859. The requirements for the promulgation and amendment of local procedural rules are set forth in Pa.R.J.A. 103(d). A local rule may address aspects of a mediation program, such as whether mediation is mandatory or voluntary, or the types of landlord-tenant actions subject to mediation, i.e. , nonpayment of rent, end-of-lease terms, or breach of conditions of the lease. See also Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 209(c)(2)(ii) pertaining to continuances. This rule does not require a judicial district to create, fund, or staff a mediation program. Source The provisions of this Rule 504.1 added July 31, 2025, effective October 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 5859. A local rule may address aspects of a mediation program, such as whether mediation is mandatory or voluntary, or the types of landlord-tenant actions subject to mediation, i.e. , nonpayment of rent, end-of-lease terms, or breach of conditions of the lease. See also Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 209(c)(2)(ii) pertaining to continuances. This rule does not require a judicial district to create, fund, or staff a mediation program. Source The provisions of this Rule 504.1 added July 31, 2025, effective October 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 5859. This rule does not require a judicial district to create, fund, or staff a mediation program. Source The provisions of this Rule 504.1 added July 31, 2025, effective October 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 5859. Source The provisions of this Rule 504.1 added July 31, 2025, effective October 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 5859.