Rule 237.5.Form of Notice of Praecipe to Enter Judgment by Default.
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 defendant must receive before a praecipe is filed to enter a default judgment, warning that judgment may be taken for failure to respond.
Full Text of Rule 237.5
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The notice required by Rule 237.1(a)(2) shall be substantially in the following form: (CAPTION) To: (Defendant) Date of Notice: IMPORTANT NOTICE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED TO ENTER A WRITTEN APPEARANCE PERSONALLY OR BY ATTORNEY AND FILE IN WRITING WITH THE COURT YOUR DEFENSES OR OBJECTIONS TO THE CLAIMS SET FORTH AGAINST YOU. 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 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 Plaintiff or Attorney) (Address)
End
Plain-English Summary
The prothonotary may not enter a default judgment on praecipe without advance written notice to the defendant, and this rule prints the required form. Addressed to the defendant and headed “Important Notice,” it states that the defendant is in default for failing to enter an appearance or otherwise respond, and warns that a praecipe to enter judgment by default will be filed unless the defendant acts, with a pointer to where to find a lawyer.
The Official Note ties the listed office to the court’s designation. The notice is a safeguard, giving a defendant who has fallen behind a final opportunity to defend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a required form for the default-judgment notice?
Yes. The notice of intention to enter a default judgment 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 237.5 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 (274650) to (274651).
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 default noticeten day default notice form