Rule Text
Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of these rules which are applicable to specific provisions of these rules, the following words and phrases when used in these rules shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this rule:
Action.—Any action or proceeding at law or in equity.
Argument.—Where required by the context, the term includes submission on briefs.
Administrative office.—The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
Appeal.—Any petition or other application to a court for review of subordinate governmental determinations. The term includes an application for certiorari under 42 Pa.C.S. § 934 (writs of certiorari) or under any other provision of law. Where required by the context, the term includes proceedings on petition for review and petition for specialized review.
Amendment history: The provisions of this Rule 102 amended December 11, 1978, effective December 30, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 3802; amended September 10, 2008, effective December 1, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 5257; amended January 13, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 1094, effective as to all appeals filed 60 days or more after adoption; amended May 28, 2014, effective July 1, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 3493; amended January 7, 2020, effective May 1, 2020, 50 Pa.B. 535; amended January 7, 2020, effective August 1, 2020, 50 Pa.B. 505; amended July 26, 2024, effective October 1, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 5079; amended January 8, 2025, effective April 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 659. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (420436) to (420438).
Plain-English Summary (for reference only — not a substitute for the rule text above)
This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
These rules use specific words in specific ways. When you see certain words in Pennsylvania's appellate rules, they have set meanings that stay the same throughout all the rules.
For example, the word "action" means any type of court case, whether it involves a legal claim or a fairness-based claim. The word "appeal" means asking a higher court to look at a decision made by a lower court or government body. This includes special types of reviews called certiorari, petitions for review, and petitions for specialized review.
When you read these rules, pay attention to how these defined words are used. If a rule uses one of these words, it carries the meaning given here, unless the specific rule makes it clear that something different is meant.
Committee Notes
Under these rules a ‘‘subordinate governmental determination’’ includes an order of a trial court. The definition of ‘‘government unit’’ includes courts, and the definition of ‘‘determination’’ includes action or inaction by (and specifically an order entered by) a court or other government unit. In general, any appeal now extends to the whole record, with like effect as upon an appeal from a judgment entered upon the verdict of a jury in an action at law and the scope of review of an order on appeal is not limited as on broad or narrow certiorari. See 42 Pa.C.S. § 5105(d) (scope of appeal).
Appellant.—Includes petitioner for review or specialized review.
Appellate court.—The Supreme Court, the Superior Court, or the Commonwealth Court.
Appellee.—Includes a party named as respondent in a petition for review or specialized review.
Application.—Includes a petition or a motion.
Appropriate security.—Security that meets the requirements of Pa.R.A.P. 1734 (appropriate security).
Children’s Fast Track Appeal. Any appeal from an order involving dependency, termination of parental rights, adoptions, custody, paternity, or delinquency, except out-of-home placements under Pa.R.A.P. 1612. See 42 Pa.C.S. § § 6301 et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. § § 2511 et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. § § 2101 et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. § § 5321 et seq.; 23 Pa.C.S. § § 5102 et seq.
Clerk.—Includes prothonotary.
Counsel of record.—All attorneys who were counsel of record in the trial court at the time of the filing of the notice of appeal will be counsel of record in the appellate courts. For a criminal defendant, the representation extends up to and including the filing of a petition for allowance of appeal and the handling of such an appeal if granted, unless (1) substitute counsel has entered an appearance and is expressly identified in the praecipe as substitute, rather than additional, counsel; (2) the Court of Common Pleas has entered on the docket an order permitting the attorney to withdraw; or (3) an application for withdrawal is granted by the appellate court.
Determination.—Action or inaction by a government unit which action or inaction is subject to judicial review by a court under Section 9 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania or otherwise. The term includes an order entered by a government unit.
Docket entries.—Includes the schedule of proceedings of a government unit.
General rule.—A rule or order promulgated by or pursuant to the authority of the Supreme Court.
Government unit.—The Governor and the departments, boards, commissions, officers, authorities, and other agencies of the Commonwealth, including the General Assembly and its officers and agencies and any court or other officer or agency of the unified judicial system, and any political subdivision or municipal or other local authority or any officer or agency of any such political subdivision or local authority. The term includes a board of arbitrators whose determination is subject to review under 42 Pa.C.S. § 763(b) (awards of arbitrators).
Hybrid representation.—An attempt to act as counsel for oneself when one has counsel of record.
Judge.—Includes a justice of the Supreme Court.
Matter.—Action, proceeding, or appeal. The term includes a petition for review or petition for specialized review.
Order.—Includes judgment, decision, decree, sentence, and adjudication.
Orphans’ Court Appeal.—Any appeal from an order of the Orphans’ Court Division as set forth in Pa.R.A.P. 342 or an appeal from an order from the First Judicial District Family Division deciding an adoption petition.
Petition for allowance of appeal.—
(a) A petition under Pa.R.A.P. 1112 (appeals to the Supreme Court by allowance); or
(b) a statement pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f) (discretionary aspects of sentence). See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9781.
Petition for permission to appeal.—A petition under Pa.R.A.P. 1311 (interlocutory appeals by permission).
Petition for review.—A petition under Chapter 15.
Petition for specialized review.—A petition under Chapter 16.
President judge.—When applied to the Supreme Court, the term means the Chief Justice of Pennsylvania.
Pro se.—A party representing himself or herself without counsel.
Proof of service.—Includes acknowledgment of service endorsed upon a pleading.
Quasijudicial order.—An order of a government unit, made after notice and opportunity for hearing, which is by law reviewable solely upon the record made before the government unit, and not upon a record made in whole or in part before the reviewing court.
Reargument.—Includes reconsideration and rehearing, and is requested through an application filed in accordance with Pa.R.A.P. 2541—2547.
Reproduced record.—That portion of the record which has been reproduced for use in an appellate court. The term includes any supplemental reproduced record.
Rule of court.—A rule promulgated by a court regulating practice or procedure before the promulgating court(s).
Trial court.—The court from which an appeal is first taken or to be taken.
Verified statement.—A document filed with a clerk under these rules containing statements of fact and a statement by the signatory that it is made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (unsworn falsification to authorities).
Based on 42 Pa.C.S. § 102 (definitions). The definition of ‘‘determination’’ is not intended to affect the scope of review provided by 42 Pa.C.S. § 5105(d) (scope of appeal) or other provision of law.
The addition of ‘‘delinquency’’ within the definition of ‘‘Children’s Fast Track Appeal’’ extends expedited review to orders involving those adjudications.
