Rule 213.1.Coordination of Actions in Different Counties.

Adopted April 4, 1990 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 213.1 lets a party move to coordinate related actions pending in different counties, asking the court where the first complaint was filed to order coordination based on listed factors, and it lets that court stay, transfer, or otherwise manage the cases.

Full Text of Rule 213.1

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

(a) In actions pending in different counties which involve a common question of law or fact or which arise from the same transaction or occurrence, any party, with notice to all other parties, may file a motion requesting the court in which a complaint was first filed to order coordination of the actions. Any party may file an answer to the motion and the court may hold a hearing.

(b) The court in which the complaint was first filed may stay the proceedings in any action which is the subject of the motion.

(c) In determining whether to order coordination and which location is appropriate for the coordinated proceedings, the court shall consider, among other matters:

(1) whether the common question of fact or law is predominating and significant to the litigation;

(2) the convenience of the parties, witnesses and counsel;

(3) whether coordination will result in unreasonable delay or expense to a party or otherwise prejudice a party in an action which would be subject to coordination;

(4) the efficient utilization of judicial facilities and personnel and the just and efficient conduct of the actions;

(5) the disadvantages of duplicative and inconsistent rulings, orders or judgments;

(6) the likelihood of settlement of the actions without further litigation should coordination be denied.

(d) If the court orders that actions shall be coordinated, it may

(1) stay any or all of the proceedings in any action subject to the order, or

(2) transfer any or all further proceedings in the actions to the court or courts in which any of the action is pending, or

(3) make any other appropriate order.

(e) In the order of coordination, the court shall include the manner of giving notice of the order to all parties in all actions subject thereto and direct that specified parties pay the costs, if any, of coordination. The court shall also order that a certified copy of the order of coordination be sent to the courts in which the actions subject to the order are pending, whereupon whose courts shall take such action as may be appropriate to carry out the coordination order.

(f) The final order disposing of a coordinated action or proceeding shall be certified and sent to the court in which the action was originally commenced to be filed of record.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule is the cross-county counterpart to consolidation. When related actions involving a common question or the same transaction are pending in different counties, a party may move the court where the first complaint was filed to order coordination, with notice to all parties.

The court weighs a list of factors — whether the common question predominates, convenience, delay and expense, efficient use of judicial resources, the risk of inconsistent rulings, and the chance of settlement. If it orders coordination, the court may stay actions, transfer further proceedings to one or more courts, allocate costs, and direct how the final disposition is reported back.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are related cases in different counties handled?

A party may move the court where the first complaint was filed to order coordination. That court considers factors like the predominance of the common question, convenience, efficiency, and the risk of inconsistent rulings, and may stay or transfer the actions.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 213.1 adopted April 4, 1990, effective July 1, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2276.

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: coordination of actionsdifferent countiescross-county coordination