Leb. Cnty. Pa. 52FD-1915.4-3

As amended through January 1, 2018

Rule 52FD-1915.4-3 - Conference And Hearing By Conciliator

A. The Court shall appoint as a Conciliator(s), a member(s) of the Bar of Lebanon County or other appropriate person, as an official of the Court, to:

(1) Mediate custody matters filed with the Court;

(2) Conduct custody conferences;

(3) Recommend appointment of counsel for the child when appropriate;

(4) Recommend the utilization of home studies and/or expert witnesses including psychiatric and/or psychological evaluations where appropriate;

(5) Conduct custody hearings;

(6) Prepare agreed interim or final orders for presentation to the Court; and/or

(7) Direct payment of any advance costs required as assessed by the Conciliator.

B. All custody matters shall be promptly scheduled for a conference before the Conciliator. All parties shall be present for such conference. Failure of a party to appear at the conference may provide grounds for the entry of a recommendation of a temporary or permanent order.

C. At the conference, each party shall provide the Conciliator and each other with the following information, insofar as it is then available:

(1) A list of all fact witnesses;

(2) A list of all expert witnesses;

(3) Reports of experts intended to be called as witnesses;

(4) All reports from appropriate agencies;

(5) Issues for resolution; and

(6) Estimated length of trial;

Such information shall be updated, as appropriate, any time up to commencement of the full hearing before the Conciliator. Failure to produce the information specified herein at the time of the conference before the Conciliator, may be grounds for excluding the evidence or witnesses at subsequent proceedings.

D. Following the conference, the Conciliator may present a proposed Interim Order to the Court.

E. Matters not resolved at the conference shall be scheduled for a full hearing before the Conciliator.

(1) At the full hearing all parties, witnesses, experts, reports,exhibits, etc. shall be available. No continuances or extensions shall be granted except in extraordinary circumstances.

F. To facilitate the mediation process and encourage frank, open and meaningful exchanges between the parties and their respective counsel, any statements made by the parties, or their witnesses, shall not be admissible as evidence in Court and no record shall be made of the proceedings. The Conciliator shall not be a witness at any subsequent proceeding.

Leb. Cnty. Pa. 52FD-1915.4-3

Amended effective 1/1/2000.