Adopted June 30, 1977 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceIn managing a class action the court may enter orders controlling the course of the proceedings, requiring protective notice, permitting intervention, imposing conditions on the representative or an intervenor, and ensuring the class is adequately represented.
(a)In the conduct of actions to which this rule applies, the court may make appropriate orders
(1)determining the course of proceedings or prescribing measures to prevent undue repetition or complication in the presentation of evidence or argument;
(2)requiring, for the protection of the members of the class or otherwise for the fair conduct of the action, that notice, other than notice under Rule 1712, be given in such manner as the court may direct to some or all of the members of any step in the action, or of the proposed extent of the judgment, or of the opportunity of members to signify whether they consider the repre-sentation fair and adequate;
(3)permitting an interested person to intervene in accordance with Rules 2326 et seq. governing Intervention;
(4)imposing conditions on the representative party or an intervener;
(5)taking any action to assure that the representative party adequately represents the class;
(6)dealing with other administrative or procedural matters.
(b)Any such order may be revoked, altered or amended as may be appropriate from time to time.
End
Plain-English Summary
This rule gives the court broad case-management power over a class action. It may enter orders determining the course of the proceedings and preventing undue repetition in evidence or argument; requiring notice beyond the ordinary class notice for the protection of class members or the fair conduct of the case; permitting an interested person to intervene; imposing conditions on the representative party or an intervenor; taking steps to ensure the representative adequately represents the class; and handling other administrative matters.
Any such order can be revoked or amended as appropriate. The tools let the managing judge keep a sprawling representative proceeding orderly and protective of absent members.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a court manage a class action?
With orders determining the course of proceedings and preventing undue repetition or complication.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1713 adopted June 30, 1977, effective September 1, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 1956.
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:conduct of class actionmanage class actioncase management class