Rule 1092.Venue.

Adopted June 25, 1946 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1092 sets venue for a mandamus action, tying it to where the political subdivision or officer is located and giving special rules for actions the Attorney General brings on the Commonwealth's relation.

Full Text of Rule 1092

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

(a) An action brought in a court of common pleas by the Commonwealth on the relation of the Attorney General may be brought only in

(1) the county where a political subdivision is located when the action is against the political subdivision or an officer thereof, or

(2) the county where the registered office or principal place of business of a corporation or similar entity is located when the action is against the corporation or similar entity or an officer thereof.

(b) An action brought in a court of common pleas in the name of the Commonwealth on the relation of the District Attorney may be brought against a political subdivision or an officer thereof only in the county where the political subdivision is located.

(c) An action brought in a court of common pleas in the name of a party to enforce a right or to compel performance of a public act or duty in which the party has a beneficial interest distinct from that of the general public may be brought only in

(1) the county in which the cause of action arose when the action is against an officer, department, board, commission or instrumentality of the Commonwealth, or

(2) the county where a political subdivision is located when the action is against the political subdivision or an officer thereof, or

(3) the county where a corporation or similar entity has its registered office or principal place of business when the action is against the corporation or similar entity or an officer thereof.

End

Plain-English Summary

Mandamus is aimed at public bodies, so venue follows them. An action the Attorney General brings on the Commonwealth's relation against a political subdivision or its officer belongs in the county where the subdivision sits, with related provisions for other defendants. The rule channels each kind of mandamus to the county with the closest connection to the office or duty at issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is a mandamus action brought?

Generally in the county where the political subdivision or officer is located, with specific rules for actions brought by the Attorney General on the Commonwealth's relation.

Official Note

Official Note: The right to bring an action of mandamus is defined by Section 1 of the Act approved June 8, 1893, P. L. 345, as amended, 12 P. S. § 1911.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1092 adopted June 25, 1946, effective January 1, 1947.

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: mandamus venuevenue against political subdivisionattorney general relation