The Editorial Board

June 01, 2010 | The Legal Intelligencer

We applaud The Philadelphia Inquirer for spreading sunshine on the mysterious and troubling transactions leading to the construction of the new Family Court building here in Philadelphia. We applaud the governor and the chief justice for stepping up to the plate -- albeit belatedly -- and agreeing to re-bid the project so as to cleanse it of the unseemly taint of double-dipping, conflicts of interest, no-bid contracts and unwritten agreements. But moving ahead requires more than just a re-bid; it also requires a critical look back.

By The Editorial Board

6 minute read

December 01, 2009 | The Legal Intelligencer

Back in 1996, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that the state's General Assembly was required to fund county courts and issued an order for the General Assembly to fund the county courts as required by the state constitution. That order stemmed from the court's 1987 decision that unequal funding for the state's county courts was a constitutional violation.

By The Editorial Board

4 minute read

December 21, 2010 | The Legal Intelligencer

Recent news reports have raised questions about the wisdom of the policy that permits certain Pennsylvania judges to accept gifts, including from lawyers or parties who appear or may appear before them. There is no wisdom in this policy. It should be changed to protect the integrity of the judiciary and the public's confidence in the courts.

By The Editorial Board

5 minute read