Rule 1705.Preliminary Objections.

Adopted June 30, 1977 · Last amended November 19, 1991 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1705 requires all preliminary objections to a class-action complaint to be raised at once and bars using preliminary objections to contest factual issues about the class-action allegations.

Full Text of Rule 1705

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All preliminary objections to the complaint permissible under Rule 1028(a) shall be raised at one time. Issues of fact with respect to the Class Action Allegations may not be raised by preliminary objections but shall be raised by the answer.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule channels early challenges to a class-action complaint. All preliminary objections permitted by Rule 1028(a) must be raised together, and factual disputes about the ‘Class Action Allegations’ cannot be fought through preliminary objections — those are resolved later, at the certification stage, where the court decides whether the case may proceed as a class action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a defendant attack the class allegations by preliminary objection?

No. Factual issues about the class-action allegations must be raised by the answer, not by preliminary objection, and are decided at certification.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1705 adopted June 30, 1977, effective September 1, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 1956; amended November 19, 1991, effective January 1, 1992, 21 Pa.B. 5637. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (146708) to (146709).

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: class action preliminary objectionschallenge class complaintRule 1028 class action