Rule 206.4.Rule to Show Cause. Alternative Procedures. Exception.

Adopted September 8, 1995 · Last amended June 28, 2016 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 206.4 provides that a petition proceeds upon a rule to show cause — issued at the court’s discretion under Rule 206.5 or, where a local rule so provides, as of course under Rule 206.6 — except that a judgment is stricken without a rule when the record shows a defect on its face.

Full Text of Rule 206.4

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a)

(1) Except as provided by subparagraph (2), a petition shall proceed upon a rule to show cause, the issuance of which shall be discretionary with the court as provided by Rule 206.5 unless the court by local rule adopts the procedure of Rule 206.6 providing for issuance as of course.

(2) A judgment shall be stricken without the issuance of a rule to show cause when there is a defect on the face of the record that constitutes a ground for striking a default judgment.

(b) The procedure following issuance of the rule to show cause shall be in accordance with Rule 206.7.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule sets the gateway for petition practice. A petition moves forward on a “rule to show cause,” the court’s order directing the other side to explain why the petitioner should not get the relief requested.

How the rule issues depends on the county. By default it is discretionary, governed by Rule 206.5; a court may instead adopt, by local rule, the as-of-course procedure of Rule 206.6, under which the rule issues automatically on filing. Either way, what happens next is governed by Rule 206.7.

One situation skips the rule to show cause entirely: a judgment is stricken without one when there is a defect on the face of the record that supports striking a default judgment. A facial defect is decided on the record, not through fact development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a rule to show cause?

It is the court’s order that starts the response process on a petition, directing the respondent to show why the petitioner is not entitled to the relief requested. It may issue at the court’s discretion under Rule 206.5 or as of course under Rule 206.6.

When can a judgment be stricken without a rule to show cause?

When there is a defect on the face of the record that is a ground for striking a default judgment. A facial defect is resolved on the record without issuing a rule to show cause.

Official Note

Official Note: See Rule 440 requiring service of the petition upon every other party to the action.

Official Note: Subdivisions (b) through (e) of Rule 239.2 require every court to promulgate Local Rule 206.4(c) describing the court’s procedures for the issuance of a rule to show cause.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 206.4 adopted September 8, 1995, effective January 1, 1996, 25 Pa.B. 4092; amended October 24, 2003, effective 9 months from the date of the Order, 33 Pa.B. 5506; amended November 2, 2005, effective immediately, 35 Pa.B. 6318; amended October 21, 2013, effective November 21, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 6648; amended June 28, 2016, effective August 1, 2016, 46 Pa.B. 3797. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (369603) to (369604).

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: rule to show causealternative proceduresstrike default judgment