Rule 802 Minor May Be Party to Action

Under this rule, a minor need not be represented by a guardian in a civil action before a magisterial district judge. This is a departure from the procedure in other tribunals prescribed by Pa.R.C.P. Nos. 2027 and 2031. This difference in procedure is due in part to the determination that magisterial district judges should not be required or allowed to appoint guardians ad litem, considering the expedition with which civil actions before magisterial district judges are required to be handled under the general rules of civil procedure applicable to magisterial district judges. Since magisterial district judges will not be permitted to appoint guardians ad litem (see Rule 819), it would be manifestly unfair to allow a minor plaintiff to bring suit by a ‘‘next friend’’ guardian but to require the appointment of a guardian by a court of common pleas before a suit could be brought against a minor defendant. It is considered that ample protection will be afforded the minor party under Rule 805. See also the note to Rule 807.

The rules in this chapter are not, of course, intended to change the law governing the basic legal liability of minors.