Rule 201.Agreements of Attorneys.

Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 201 requires agreements between attorneys about the business of the court to be in writing, with one exception: agreements made in open court that the prothonotary notes on the minutes or the stenographer records in the notes.

Full Text of Rule 201

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Agreements of attorneys relating to the business of the court shall be in writing, except such agreements at bar as are noted by the prothonotary upon the minutes or by the stenographer on the stenographer’s notes.

End

Plain-English Summary

Lawyers constantly agree to things — extensions, continuances, stipulations. This rule makes those agreements enforceable only when they are written down. A handshake or a hallway promise about court business will not bind the other side.

The single exception covers agreements made “at bar,” meaning on the record in court. If the prothonotary enters the agreement on the minutes, or the court stenographer takes it down, the writing requirement is met by that record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are oral agreements between lawyers enforceable?

As a rule, no. An agreement about the business of the court must be in writing. The exception is an agreement made in open court and noted by the prothonotary on the minutes or taken down by the stenographer.

Official Note

Official Note: Adopted September 8, 1938, effective March 20, 1939; amended April 18, 1975, effective immediately, 5 Pa.B. 1820. The word ‘‘prothonotary’’ refers to the court official, irrespective of title, who keeps the minutes of the court.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 201 amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2266. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (246944).

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: agreements of attorneysstipulationsattorney agreements in writing