Rule 237.4.Form of Notice of Praecipe to Enter Judgment of Non Pros.
Adopted December 2, 1994 · Last amended June 10, 2003 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule supplies the form of the ten-day notice a plaintiff must receive before a praecipe is filed to enter a judgment of non pros, warning that the case may be ended for failure to act.
Full Text of Rule 237.4
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The notice required by Rule 237.1(a)(2) shall be substantially in the following form: (CAPTION) To: (Plaintiff) (NOTE: Serve on unrepresented plaintiff or on plaintiff’s attorney) Date of Notice: IMPORTANT NOTICE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED TO FILE A COMPLAINT IN THIS CASE. UNLESS YOU ACT WITHIN TEN DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU WITHOUT A HEARING AND YOU MAY LOSE YOUR RIGHT TO SUE THE DEFENDANT AND THEREBY LOSE PROPERTY OR OTHER IMPORTANT RIGHTS. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW. THIS OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE. (Name of Office) (Address of Office) (Telephone Number) (Signature of Defendant or Attorney (Address)
End
Plain-English Summary
Before a judgment of non pros is entered for a plaintiff’s failure to proceed, the rules require written notice, and this rule prints it. Addressed to the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney and headed “Important Notice,” it tells the plaintiff that a praecipe to enter a judgment of non pros will be filed unless the required step is taken, and points the plaintiff to where help can be found.
The Official Note ties the listed office to the one the court designates. The plain-language warning gives a plaintiff a last, clear chance to avoid losing the case by default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a required form for the non pros notice?
Yes. The notice of intention to enter a judgment of non pros must be substantially in the form set out in this rule.
Official Note
Official Note: The office shall be that designated by the court under Rule 1018.1(c).
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 237.4 adopted December 2, 1994, effective July 1, 1995, 24 Pa.B. 6259; amended January 12, 1995, effective immediately, 25 Pa.B. 315; amended June 10, 2003, effective September 1, 2003, 33 Pa.B. 2974. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (274649) to (274650).
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:form of non pros noticenotice praecipe non pros