Rule 1361.Form of Notice to Plead.

Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1361 supplies the form of the notice to plead, which warns an adverse party to respond to a pleading within twenty days or risk a judgment.

Full Text of Rule 1361

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The notice to plead shall be directed to the adverse party and shall be in substantially the following form: To : (Name of Adverse Party) You are hereby notified to file a written response to the enclosed (name of pleading) within twenty

(20) days from service hereof or a judgment may be entered against you. (Party Filing Pleading or the Party’s Attorney)

End

Plain-English Summary

When a pleading requires a response, it carries a notice to plead. This rule prints that notice: directed to the adverse party, it states that they must file a written response to the pleading within twenty days of service or a judgment may be entered against them. The set form makes the deadline and the consequence unmistakable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a notice to plead require?

A written response to the pleading within twenty days of service, or a judgment may be entered.

Official Note

Official Note: A responsive pleading is not required to be filed unless a notice to plead has been endorsed on the prior pleading other than a complaint. The notice to defend prescribed by Rule 1018.1 shall appear on all complaints.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1361 amended through April 23, 1985, effective July 1, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 1728; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2266. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (227317).

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: notice to plead formtwenty day notice to pleadrespond to pleading