Courts make decisions about all aspects of our lives -- family issues such as divorce, child custody, inheritance rights; landlord-tenant issues; issues about employer and employee rights; motor vehicle laws; and criminal laws. The reach of the courts' powers should convince all Pennsylvanians to become educated about the court system.

Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System was established by the Constitutional Convention of 1968. There are three levels to the court system: the Minor or Special Courts, the Trial Courts, and the Appellate Courts.

The courts at each level have separate jurisdictions. "A court's jurisdiction refers to those cases a court has authority to hear and/or decide. Original jurisdiction cases are those heard in the first instance; appellate jurisdiction, those heard on appeal from a lower court." Pennsylvania Manual, § 5-4.   For explanations about each level of the court system, read more. 

Litigation is often a lengthy process. Cases often proceed through several levels of the court system; some even make it all the way to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Litigants should be patient and must be careful to follow the instructions of their lawyers and the courts to ensure that they preserve their rights to continue pursuing their claims in the courts. Often, litigants are confused and think they can redress or undo a court's decision or ruling by filing a complaint about a judge. This is not correct. The process for having a judge's decision changed or reversed is by filing motions for reconsideration or filing appeals, depending on the decision at issue. The judicial discipline process is completely separate from the litigation process.

To learn more about the structure and administration of the Pennsylvania Court System, follow these links:

* The Unified Judicial System's home page presents a simple diagram of the PA Court System as well as Pennsylvania's Judicial System: A Citizen's Guide.

* The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania have produced The Courts of the Commonwealth: A Guide for Pennsylvania's Citizens.