Rule 2.0. Definitions.

All terms used in these Regulations shall have their ordinary meanings unless noted otherwise or as defined by the Pennsylvania Rules of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board or these Regulations. 1 The Judicial Ethics Advisory Board supersedes the prior designations of committees of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges and the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania to render such advice or opinions. ‘‘Advice/Panel Advice’’ or ‘‘Advisory Opinion’’ — A Panel’s written advisory opinion issued in response to a written Request received from a Judicial Officer. ‘‘Attendance’’ or ‘‘Attending’’ —Board Members present at a Board meeting either in person or by electronic or other means permitting interaction between the Members. ‘‘Board’’ —The Judicial Ethics Advisory Board. ‘‘Codes’’ —Collectively, the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Rules Governing Standards of Conduct of Magisterial District Judges. ‘‘Essential Member’’ —The Member of a Panel who is of the same judicial level as the inquiring Judicial Officer. ‘‘General Ethics Guidance’’ —A written opinion by the Board that the Board may, in its discretion, issue to address general ethics advisory guidance on any relevant topic under the Codes. General Ethics Guidance is not in response to a specific written request from a Judicial Officer. ‘‘Issuance’’ or ‘‘Issued’’ —The act of communicating the written decision of a Panel or the Board to a Judicial Officer as provided for under these Regulations. ‘‘Judicial Officer’’ —Any individual within the Application of the Codes, including judicial candidates. ‘‘Member’’ —An individual appointed to the Board. ‘‘Opinion’’ —A decision by the Board, as provided for under these Regulations, to either adopt, modify, or overrule the Advice of a Panel interpreting an inquiring Judicial Officer’s duties and obligations under the Codes, in response to a specific, factual scenario submitted for that purpose

Application of the Codes, including judicial candidates. ‘‘Member’’ —An individual appointed to the Board. ‘‘Opinion’’ —A decision by the Board, as provided for under these Regulations, to either adopt, modify, or overrule the Advice of a Panel interpreting an inquiring Judicial Officer’s duties and obligations under the Codes, in response to a specific, factual scenario submitted for that purpose. ‘‘Panel’’ —Three Members of the Board whom staff appoints to render Advice in response to a Request from a Judicial Officer. ‘‘Request’’ —A written submission by a Judicial Officer to the Board seeking an Advisory Opinion under Section 8.0 of these Regulations. ‘‘Regulations’’ —These Judicial Ethics Advisory Board Regulations as adopted by the Board and approved by the Supreme Court. ‘‘Rule’’ or ‘‘Rules’’ —Unless otherwise indicated, rule citations herein refer to the Pennsylvania Rules of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board (Pa.R.J.E.A.B.). ‘‘Served or Service’’ —The transmission of an Advice or Opinion of the Board whether by mail, email, fax, or some other authorized manner of secure delivery as provided for under these Regulations. ‘‘Staff’’ —The Executive Director of the Board and any other full-time and part-time personnel appointed by the Board under Rule 104(d)(2). Source The provisions of this Rule 2.0 amended February 28, 2024, effective immediately, 54 Pa.B. 1297. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (410561) to (410562).