If I am in a business dispute in Philadelphia, in what court should I bring my case?

In the past, if you had a choice, the answer was clear: federal court. Since 2000, however, the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas has created a specialized program to hear business cases, typically known as the “Commerce Court”. Three judges are assigned as Commerce Court judges, and each case is heard by one of those judges from beginning to end. Thus, you not only get the benefit of a single judge assignment as in federal court, but the benefit of a specialist judge who is only hearing business and commercial, unlike federal court. You should always weigh the choices with your lawyer in choosing a litigation forum, but you can now expect a reasoned and prompt decision in both the state and federal courts.