RulesofCivilProcedure.com Civil Procedure · Every State

Rule 1038.2.Abolition of Case Stated.

Adopted August 9, 1996 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceThis rule abolishes the old common-law “case stated” procedure, which the modern practice of submitting a case on stipulated facts has replaced.

Full Text of Rule 1038.2

Text size

The common law procedure of a case stated is abolished.
End

Plain-English Summary

This short rule clears away an obsolete device. The common-law case stated — a formal joint statement of facts submitted for the court’s judgment — is abolished.

As the Official Note explains, it is no longer needed because parties can now submit a case on stipulated facts under the companion rule. Removing the old procedure avoids two overlapping routes to the same end and leaves the stipulated-facts submission as the single, clearer mechanism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a “case stated” still available in Pennsylvania?

No. The common-law case-stated procedure is abolished; parties use submission on stipulated facts under Rule 1038.1 instead.

Official Note

Official Note: The common law procedure of a case stated is no longer required in view of the practice of submitting a case on stipulated facts for decision by a judge without a jury. See Rule 1038.1.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1038.2 adopted August 9, 1996, effective January 1, 1997, 26 Pa.B. 4216.

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: case statedabolition of case stated