(a) Petition. A party seeking to confirm, amend, correct, or vacate an arbitra- tor’s award shall file a timely petition naming the other party as respondent.
Rule 1964.Petition for Judicial Relief: Arbitration Award.
Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1964 governs a petition to confirm, amend, correct, or vacate a family-law arbitrator's award.
Full Text of Rule 1964
(b) Docket Number. If the claim has been raised in a matter stayed pending arbitration, or a petition pursuant to Pa.R.Civ.P. 1963 has been previously filed, the petition shall be filed on that docket. Otherwise, the petition shall be filed as a new action in conformity with the forum requirement of Pa.R.Civ.P. 1961.
(c) Service. If the claim has been raised in a matter stayed pending arbitra- tion, or a petition pursuant to Pa.R.Civ.P. 1963 has been previously filed, the petition shall be served in accordance with Pa.R.Civ.P. 440. Otherwise, the peti- tion shall be served pursuant to Pa.R.Civ.P. 1930.4.
(d) Contents of Petition.
(1) The petition shall allege sufficient facts and cite the Act with specific- ity in support of the relief sought.
(2) A copy of the arbitrator’s award shall be appended to the petition.
(e) Notice to File Answer. The petition shall contain a notice substantially in the following form: Notice to File Answer A party to these proceedings has filed a petition to (confirm/amend/ correct/vacate) an arbitration award. If you oppose the petition, you are required to file an answer to the petition within 20 days of the date of service of this notice setting forth your objections to the peti- tion. If you fail to file an answer, a court order based on the arbitra- tion award may be entered against you without further notice. You may lose custody, money, property, or other rights important to you. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELE- PHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW. THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A LAW- YER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE.
(Name) (Address) (Telephone Number)
(f) Court Order. A petition to confirm, amend, correct, or vacate an arbitra- tor’s award shall be heard by a judge directly and decided promptly.
Plain-English Summary
An arbitration award becomes binding through the court. This rule governs a party's timely petition to confirm, amend, correct, or vacate an arbitrator's award, filed naming the other party as respondent. Confirming the award turns it into an enforceable judgment; the limited grounds to amend or vacate keep the court's review narrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a family-law arbitration award confirmed or challenged?
By a timely petition to confirm, amend, correct, or vacate the award under Rule 1964.
Official Note
Comment. : The scope of this rule is intended to include temporary awards. A petition to confirm an arbitration award should also seek to lift any stay if an action was previously commenced in court and stayed. Readers should consult the Act on the timeliness requirements for certain petitions. See, e.g., 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 7388(a), 7389(e).
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. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as: confirm family arbitration awardvacate arbitration awardarbitration award petition