Adopted December 28, 2005 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule defines “arbitration” for the chapter as statutory arbitration under the Uniform Arbitration Act or common law arbitration under Section 7341 et seq. of the Judicial Code, and sets the chapter’s reach: proceedings to compel arbitration and to confirm an award in a claim arising from a consumer credit transaction.
(a)As used in this chapter, ‘‘arbitration’’ means statutory arbitration pursuant to Section 7301 et seq. of the Judicial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. § 7301 et seq., known as the Uniform Arbitration Act, or common law arbitration pursuant to Section 7341 et seq. of the Judicial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. § 7341 et seq; ‘‘arbitrator’’ includes a board of arbitrators; ‘‘consumer credit transaction’’ means a credit transaction in which the party to whom credit is offered or extended is a natural person and the money, property or services which are the subject of the transaction are primarily for personal, family or household purposes.
(b)The rules of this chapter shall govern proceedings to compel arbitration and confirm an arbitration award entered in a claim arising from a consumer credit transaction.
End
Plain-English Summary
This rule frames a specialized chapter on arbitration tied to consumer credit. “Arbitration” here means statutory arbitration under the Judicial Code’s Uniform Arbitration Act, or common law arbitration under Section 7341 et seq. of that Code, not the court-annexed compulsory arbitration covered elsewhere.
The chapter’s rules govern two things: proceedings to compel arbitration, and proceedings to confirm an arbitration award, in a claim arising from a consumer credit transaction. Defining the term and the scope keeps these consumer-credit arbitration procedures separate from the other arbitration regimes in the rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of arbitration does this chapter cover?
Statutory arbitration under the Uniform Arbitration Act and common-law arbitration under the Judicial Code — the consensual arbitration parties agree to.
How is this different from compulsory arbitration?
Compulsory arbitration is ordered by the court for cases under a dollar limit; this chapter covers arbitration the parties agree to.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1326 adopted December 28, 2005, effective February 1, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 174.
Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment
history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation
of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. This rule has not been amended since its adoption. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as:statutory arbitrationcommon law arbitrationUniform Arbitration Act