Pennsylvania Arbitration Rules Changes
June 1, 2006

House Bill 750 was signed by Governor Rendell as Act 41 on May 11, 2006 and is effective in 60 days. It amends Section 7361 of Title 42 to provide that civil actions filed in the Courts of Common Pleas must be submitted to compulsory arbitration unless the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000 in first, second or third class counties or $35,000 in all other counties.

In addition, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has revised Pa. Rule of Civil Procedure 1311.1 effective July 1, 2006 to provide that a plaintiff may stipulate to limit damages to $25,000 (previously $15,000) and proceed to trial on expert reports.