Rule 1651 Definitions. Conformity Civil Action

Mechanics' lien cases in Pennsylvania follow the same basic court procedures as other civil lawsuits. If you file a mechanics' lien claim, and then need to go to court to get paid, you go through the normal civil court process.

The rule sets up two simple definitions to use throughout this section. A "claim" is a mechanics' lien that has already been filed. An "action" is the court case you bring to turn that lien into a court judgment so you can actually collect money.

If you are a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier who filed a mechanics' lien and the property owner still has not paid you, you can take them to court. That court process works the same way as any other civil lawsuit in Pennsylvania, unless a specific mechanics' lien rule says otherwise.