Pennsylvania Minor Court Civil Rules – 2026
Civil practice before the magisterial district judges — the court most Pennsylvania litigants actually meet — 165 rules in eight chapters, published as 246 Pa. Code. Chapter 100 establishes the magisterial district judge offices and their minimum standards, along with the judges' bonds, seal, facsimile signature and temporary assignments; Chapter 200 carries the citation, definitions, computation of time and the purpose and construction of the rules. Chapter 300, the largest at 31 rules, is the civil action itself, from venue and commencement through the form of complaint; Chapter 400 the execution of judgments; Chapter 500 the action for recovery of possession of real property, which is the landlord-tenant proceeding. Chapter 800 governs minors and incapacitated persons as parties — who may be one, how the complaint is entitled and served, and the guardian who represents and supervises. Chapter 1000 is the appeal to the court of common pleas, and Chapter 1200 emergency protective relief: who may seek it, the hearing, the protection order and its duration, and certification to the court of common pleas. Seven rules are rescinded, reserved or renumbered and are shown as such.
Browse all 165 rules of the 2026 edition organized by section below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.