Rule 1309.Parties to Appeal.
Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceAn appeal from an arbitration award by any one party is treated as an appeal by all parties on all issues, unless every party stipulates otherwise in writing.
Full Text of Rule 1309
An appeal by any party shall be deemed an appeal by all parties as to all issues unless otherwise stipulated in writing by all parties.
End
Plain-English Summary
This rule keeps an arbitration appeal from being one-sided. When any party appeals the award, the appeal is deemed taken by all parties as to all issues, so the entire case goes up for a fresh trial rather than just the appealing party’s piece. The parties can narrow this by a written stipulation among all of them.
The default protects a party who did not appeal from being bound by an award while its opponent gets a second chance, since the de novo trial reopens the whole dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does one party's appeal affect the others?
Yes. An appeal by any party is deemed an appeal by all parties as to all issues, unless all parties stipulate otherwise in writing.
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: parties to arbitration appealappeal by all partiesscope of appeal