Adopted December 14, 1989 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 234.3 lets a party compel another party’s attendance at trial or hearing by serving a notice to attend, and compel that party’s production of documents or things by serving a notice to produce, with service made the way Rule 440 provides for legal papers other than original process.
(a)A party may compel the attendance of another party or an officer or managing agent thereof for trial or hearing by serving upon that party a notice to attend substantially in the form prescribed by Rule 234.7. The notice shall be served reasonably in advance of the date upon which attendance is required. The notice may also require the party to produce documents or things.
(b)If the attendance of another party is not required, a party may compel the production of documents or things by the other party by serving upon that party a notice to produce substantially in the form prescribed by Rule 234.8.
(c)A notice to attend and a notice to produce shall be served in the manner provided by Rule 440 for service of legal papers other than original process.
End
Plain-English Summary
This rule gives parties a simpler device than a subpoena for reaching each other. A party may compel another party — or that party’s officer or managing agent — to attend a trial or hearing by serving a notice to attend in the prescribed form.
It also reaches documents. If attendance is not needed, a party may compel another party to produce documents or things by serving a notice to produce. Both notices are served in the manner Rule 440 provides for legal papers other than original process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you compel another party to come to trial or produce documents?
Serve a notice to attend to compel the party’s attendance, or a notice to produce to compel production of documents or things. Both are served under Rule 440 as legal papers other than original process.
Official Note
Official Note: The notice to attend and the notice to produce may be issued only to parties and may be served within or outside the Commonwealth.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 234.3 adopted December 14, 1989, effective January 1, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 7.
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