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Rule 1073.1.Complaint. Specific Averments. Verification.

Adopted June 23, 1975 · Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1073.1 requires a replevin complaint to describe the property, state its value and known location, set out the material facts behind the claim, and be verified by the plaintiff.

Full Text of Rule 1073.1

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) The plaintiff shall include in the complaint:
(1) a description of the property to be replevied.
(2) its value,
(3) its location if known, and
(4) the material facts upon which plaintiff’s claim is based.
(b) The complaint shall be verified by the plaintiff upon personal knowledge or information and belief or by any other person having sufficient knowledge or information and belief, who shall set forth the source of the information as to matters not stated upon his or her own knowledge and the reason why the verification is not made by the plaintiff.
End

Plain-English Summary

A replevin complaint has to pin down exactly what the plaintiff wants returned. The rule requires a description of the property, its value, its location if known, and the material facts on which the claim rests.

It also requires the plaintiff to verify the complaint — to swear to its truth on personal knowledge or information and belief — which adds weight to a pleading that can lead to the seizure of goods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must a replevin complaint contain?

A description of the property, its value, its location if known, and the material facts supporting the claim.

Must the complaint be verified?

Yes. The plaintiff must verify it on personal knowledge or information and belief.

Official Note

Official Note: See Rule 1081 authorizing the court at any time during the pendency of the action to order the defendant to appear for oral examination as to the whereabouts of the claimed property.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1073 adopted June 23, 1975, effective October 1, 1975, 5 Pa.B. 1824; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2266. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (212319) to (212320).

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: replevin complaint contentsdescribe property replevinverified complaint