As amended through May 18, 2022
Rule 1915.4-3 - Conciliation Conference(a) All parties and all children specifically ordered to attend shall attend the conciliation conference. At the conciliation conference, the conciliator shall meet with the parties and their counsel to conciliate all claims and may meet with the children if deemed appropriate in the discretion of the conciliator. The conciliator shall also screen for referral of the appropriate cases to mediation.(b) To facilitate conciliation and to encourage frank, open and meaningful exchanges between the parties and their counsel, statements made by the parties, children, counsel or the conciliator at the conciliation conference shall not be admissible as evidence in court. The conciliator shall not be competent to serve as a witness for or against any party nor shall there be any testimony taken at the conciliation conference. The conciliator shall not be subject to subpoena to compel testimony regarding information revealed at the conciliation conference.(c) Promptly following the conciliation conference, the conciliator shall file a recommendation with the Court setting forth the terms of a consent agreement reached by the parties or setting forth a recommendation for an interim order that may include a requirement that the parties undergo a specific period of counseling with a licensed psychologist or therapist or with a certified mediator. In appropriate cases, the conciliator may recommend mediation pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1940.1 et seq.(d) Where it appears that the resolution of the matter will require an evidentiary hearing, the conciliator shall recommend family social studies or the completion of custody questionnaires. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, the agency issuing the family social study shall mail the written study to the custody conciliation office and to counsel of record for the parties or to the parties if there are no attorneys of record, pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1915.8.(e) Where it appears that the resolution of the matter will require an evidentiary hearing, the conciliator may make any additional recommendations for mental health evaluations, drug and alcohol evaluations, the appointment of experts, guardians ad litem, or counsel for the child or for any other prehearing matters the conciliator deems necessary or appropriate.(f) No exceptions may be taken from the recommendation of the conciliator.(g) Nothing in this rule shall be interpreted to contravene Pa.R.C.P. 1915.4.