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Rule 1035.1.Motion for Summary Judgment. Definition.

Adopted February 14, 1996 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceFor the summary-judgment rules, this rule defines the “record” the court considers — the pleadings, depositions, interrogatory answers, admissions and affidavits, and qualifying signed expert reports.

Full Text of Rule 1035.1

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As used in Rule 1035.1 et seq., “record” includes any
(1) pleadings,
(2) depositions, answers to interrogatories, admissions and affidavits, and
(3) reports signed by an expert witness that would, if filed, comply with Rule 4003.5(a)(1), whether or not the reports have been produced in response to interrogatories.
End

Plain-English Summary

Summary judgment is decided on the “record,” and this rule says what that record contains. It takes in the pleadings; depositions, answers to interrogatories, admissions, and affidavits; and reports signed by an expert witness that would satisfy the expert-discovery rule if filed, whether or not they were produced in discovery.

Fixing the contents of the record matters because summary judgment turns on whether that material, taken together, leaves a genuine issue of fact for trial. The Official Note points to the definition of “affidavit” and to the companion affidavit rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as the “record” on summary judgment?

The pleadings; depositions, interrogatory answers, admissions, and affidavits; and qualifying expert reports.

Official Note

Official Note: See Definition Rule 76 for the definition of “affidavit.” See Rule 1035.4 governing affidavits supporting or defending a motion for summary judgment.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1035.1 adopted February 14, 1996, effective July 1, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 862.

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: summary judgment recorddefinition of record