Rule 1023.4.Sanctions.

Adopted April 22, 2002 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1023.4 limits a sanction for violating the signing rule to what suffices to deter repetition, allows nonmonetary directives, a penalty paid into court, or an award of the movant’s reasonable fees, holds a law firm jointly responsible, and bars monetary sanctions against a represented party for an unwarranted legal contention.

Full Text of Rule 1023.4

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c)

(a)

(1) A sanction imposed for violation of Rule 1023.1 shall be limited to that which is sufficient to deter repetition of such conduct or comparable conduct by others similarly situated.

(2) Subject to the limitations in subdivision (b), the sanction may consist of, or include,

(i) directives of a nonmonetary nature, including the striking of the offensive litigation document or portion of the litigation document,

(ii) an order to pay a penalty into court, or,

(iii) if imposed on motion and warranted for effective deterrence, an order directing payment to the movant of some or all of the reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses incurred as a direct result of the violation.

(3) Except in exceptional circumstances, a law firm shall be held jointly responsible for violations committed by its partners, associates and employees.

(b)

(1) Monetary sanctions may not be awarded against a represented party for violation of Rule 1023.1(c)(2).

(2) Monetary sanctions may not be awarded on the court’s initiative unless the court issues its order to show cause before a voluntary dismissal or settlement of the claims made by or against the party which is, or whose attorneys are, to be sanctioned.

(c) When imposing sanctions, the court shall describe the conduct determined to be a violation of Rule 1023.1 and explain the basis for the sanction imposed.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule controls what a sanction may be. A sanction for violating Rule 1023.1 is limited to what is sufficient to deter repetition of the conduct, and may consist of nonmonetary directives (including striking the offending paper), a penalty paid into court, or, where warranted, an order to pay the movant’s reasonable attorney’s fees. A law firm is ordinarily held jointly responsible for its lawyers’ violations.

There are protective limits. Monetary sanctions may not be awarded against a represented party for an unwarranted legal contention, and may not be imposed on the court’s own initiative unless the show-cause order issued before a voluntary dismissal or settlement. When it sanctions, the court describes the conduct and explains the basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sanctions can the court impose for a frivolous filing?

Only what is sufficient to deter repetition — nonmonetary directives (such as striking the paper), a penalty paid into court, or an award of the movant’s reasonable attorney’s fees. A law firm is generally jointly responsible.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1023.4 adopted April 22, 2002, effective July 1, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 2315.

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: sanctionsattorney fees sanctiondeterrencelaw firm responsibility