Rule 425.Additional Defendants.

Adopted July 5, 1985 · Last amended March 23, 2007 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 425 provides that an additional defendant who is not already a party is served in the same manner as an original defendant, and that the joining defendant serves a copy of its complaint on every prior party.

Full Text of Rule 425

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) Original process shall be served upon an additional defendant who is not already a party to the action in the same manner as if he or she were an original defendant. The joining party, upon request, shall furnish copies of all or specified pleadings filed in the action.

(b) The defendant or additional defendant shall serve a copy of his or her complaint upon every prior party.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule governs bringing in an additional defendant. Original process is served on an additional defendant who is not already a party in the same manner as if that person were an original defendant.

The joining party also keeps the others informed. The defendant or additional defendant must serve a copy of its complaint upon every prior party to the action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is an additional defendant served?

In the same manner as an original defendant. The joining party must also serve a copy of its complaint on every prior party.

Official Note

Official Note: See Rule 213(b) for the right of an additional defendant to move for a severance and Rule 1006(d) for the right to move for a change of venue.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 425 adopted July 5, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, 15 Pa.B. 2452; rescinded June 14, 1999, effective September 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 3191; amended March 23, 2007, effective June 1, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 1480. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (297565). (Editor’s Note: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has suspended its order of June 14, 1999, published at 29 Pa.B. 3191 (June 26, 1999). See 29 Pa.B. 4859 (September 18, 1999).)

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: additional defendant servicejoinder service