Rule 1920.51A - Appointment of Court Hearing Officer1. The Court may appoint by separate order the Court Hearing Officer who shall not engage in any private domestic relations matters and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Court.2. The Court may appoint other attorneys to serve as specially appointed Court Hearing Officers in cases where it is not appropriate to appoint the permanent Court Hearing Officer. In such cases the Court shall attempt to appoint attorneys who have at least five years experience as practicing members of the Bar of this Court with emphasis or expertise in divorce and related matters.3. All matters which may by statute or rule be referred to the Court Hearing Officer shall be heard by the Court Hearing Officer in the absence of a Court Order to the contrary.4. The Court Hearing Officer shall have authority to grant continuances.5. All actions for divorce under 3301(a), (b) and (d)(1)(ii) of the divorce code, actions for annulment, and claims for alimony, alimony pendente lite, equitable distribution of marital property, counsel fees, costs, expenses or any aspect thereof, shall be heard by the Court Hearing Officer in the absence of a Court Order to the contrary.6. A motion for appointment of a Court Hearing Officer shall be substantially in the form prescribed by Form L1920.74 and shall be accompanied by a certificate that the moving party has complied with the filing requirements of PA R.C.P. 1920.31(a)(1), 1920.33(a) and 1920.46 unless the moving party certifies that one or more of those rules is inapplicable. Motions for appointment of a Court Hearing Officer shall be filed in accordance with Local Rule L208. A Court Hearing Officer shall not be appointed unless and until the moving party has complied with Pa. R.C.P. 1920.31(a)(1), 1920.33(a) and 1920.46, if applicable, unless the Court has made an order pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 4019. A copy of the motion shall be filed with the permanent Court Hearing Officer.Amended effective 1/14/2014 and 1/24/2014.