40 Pa. Stat. § 221.12

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 221.12 - Court's seizure order
(a) Upon the filing by the commissioner in the Commonwealth Court of this Commonwealth of a petition alleging, (i) any ground that would justify a court order for a formal delinquency proceeding against an insurer under this article, and (ii) that the interests of policyholders, creditors or the public will be endangered by delay, and (iii) setting out the order deemed necessary by the commissioner, the court may issue forthwith, ex parte and without a hearing, the requested order which shall direct the commissioner to take possession and control of all or a part of the property, books, accounts, documents, and other records of an insurer, and of the premises occupied by it for the transaction of its business, and until further order of the court enjoin the insurer and its officers, managers, agents, and employes from disposition of its property and from transaction of its business except with the written consent of the commissioner.
(b) The court shall specify in the order what its duration shall be, which shall be such time as the court deems necessary for the commissioner to ascertain the condition of the insurer. Such initial duration or any extension thereof shall not exceed ninety days. On motion of either party or on its own motion, the court may from time to time hold such hearings as it deems desirable after such notice as it deems appropriate, and may extend, shorten, or modify the terms of the seizure order. The court shall vacate the seizure order if the commissioner fails to commence a formal proceeding under this article prior to the expiration of a seizure order or any extension thereof. An order of the court pursuant to a formal proceeding under this article shall ipso facto vacate the seizure order.
(c) Entry of a seizure order under this section shall not constitute an anticipatory breach of any contract of the insurer.
(d) An insurer subject to an ex parte order of the Commonwealth Court issued under the provisions of this section may petition the court at any time after the issuance of such order for a hearing and review of the order, and the court shall grant such a hearing and review within ten days of the filing of such petition.

40 P.S. § 221.12

1921, May 17, P.L. 789, art. V, § 512, added 1977, Dec. 14, P.L. 280, No. 92, § 2, imd. effective.