Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 12, 2016 03:44 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Establishing Commerce Courts |
| Business attorneys around the Commonwealth have expressed concerns about the ability of our judiciary to handle complex business disputes. Although we are fortunate to have diligent and intelligent judges in Pennsylvania, many judges have a background in criminal or family law and have had very little experience with commercial transactions and litigation. The health of Pennsylvania’s economy depends on the faith that businesses have in our system of dispute resolution. I, therefore, intend to introduce legislation establishing Commerce Courts. These courts will be comprised of judges with backgrounds in business law and with the expertise to resolve business disputes efficiently. My bill will create a three-judge Commerce Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and a two-judge Commerce Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The judges of the Commerce Courts will be existing common pleas judges to whom cases would be transferred from counties in the same region. There will be no costs associated with the creation of an entirely new court. Appeals will be taken to the Superior and Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania in the usual course. Enhancing the faith of the business community in our judiciary is an important part of building a robust economy. Please join me in sponsoring this legislation. |