Rule 234.4.Subpoena. Notice to Attend. Notice to Produce. Relief from Compliance. Motion to Quash.
Adopted December 14, 1989 · Last amended April 7, 1997 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 234.4 lets the party who served a subpoena, notice to attend, or notice to produce excuse compliance with it, and lets a party, the person served, or any other person with sufficient interest move to quash, with the court granting relief after a hearing.
(a)The party serving a subpoena or a notice to attend or a notice to produce may excuse compliance therewith.
(b)A motion to quash a subpoena, notice to attend or notice to produce may be filed by a party, by the person served or by any other person with sufficient interest. After hearing, the court may make an order to protect a party, witness or other person from unreasonable annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, burden or expense.
End
Plain-English Summary
This rule provides the exits from a subpoena or notice. The party who served a subpoena, a notice to attend, or a notice to produce may excuse compliance with it.
Others can object too. A motion to quash may be filed by a party, by the person served, or by any other person with a sufficient interest, and after a hearing the court may grant appropriate relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you challenge a subpoena?
By filing a motion to quash, which a party, the person served, or any other person with sufficient interest may file. The court grants relief after a hearing. The party who served the subpoena may also excuse compliance.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 234.4 adopted December 14, 1989, effective January 1, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 7; amended April 7, 1997, effective July 1, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 1921. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (200254).
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:motion to quashrelief from subpoenaquash subpoena