Rule 1915.26 - Conciliation Conference(A) The Court shall refer all actions for custody of minor children to a Custody Conciliator for purposes of a conciliation conference. Applicable Pennsylvania and local Custody Rules shall be followed.(B) The Custody Conciliator shall be an attorney of law authorized to practice before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and shall be appointed to such position by the President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Clinton Country. The Custody Conciliator shall not practice family law before a Judge, conference officer, or hearing officer employed in the 25th Judicial District.(C) The Custody Conciliator shall attempt to resolve the differences between the parties, encourage amicable resolution of those differences and may recommend mediation, or counseling services to the parties. Any resolution of the custody dispute shall be reduced to writing, signed by the parties and counsel, for approval and entry as an Order of the Court.(D) The Custody Conciliator may conduct an informal hearing, take testimony of the parties under oath, and hear the position of the parties relative to custody. The Custody Conciliator shall have the right to conduct oral examination of the child who is the subject matter of the proceeding. No other witnesses shall be permitted, except in extraordinary cases, and at the discretion of the Custody Conciliator. The testimony shall not be recorded or transcribed. The Custody Conciliator shall not be bound by technical rules of evidence and all evidence of reasonably probative value may be received. The Custody Conciliator shall consider the Court Ordered written evaluation of experts. The hearing shall not be considered a hearing of the type permitted by Pa. R.Civ.P. 1915.4-1 but shall be considered an extension of the conciliation process.(E) The proceeding shall be concluded on the date fixed for said proceeding, except that the Custody Conciliator may continue the proceeding to a date certain for good cause shown, or to obtain, investigate or evaluate reports from a social service agency or a private provider.(F) Any investigative or evaluative reports ordered and/or obtained may be considered by the Custody Conciliator.(G) If a written settlement is not reached, by stipulation, the Custody Conciliator shall file a recommended interim order. At the discretion of the Custody Conciliator, the Custody Conciliator may also file a written report.(H) Upon receipt of the recommended interim order and any other document from the Custody Conciliator, the Court may issue the interim order, and schedule the matter for a pretrial conference, and/or schedule the matter for a final hearing before the Court.Adopted effective 12/4/2023.