Adopted June 30, 1977 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1712 has the court, after certification and a hearing on notice, enter a supplementary order prescribing the type and content of notice given to class members.
(a)After the entry of the order of certification and after hearing the parties with respect to the notice to be given, the court shall enter a supplementary order which shall prescribe the type and content of notice to be used and shall specify the members to be notified. In determining the type and content of notice to be used and the members to be notified, the court shall consider the extent and nature of the class, the relief requested, the cost of notifying the members and the possible prejudice to be suffered by members of the class or by other parties if notice is not received. The court may designate in the notice a person to answer inquiries from, furnish information to or receive comments from members or potential members of the class with respect to the notice.
(b)The court may require individual notice to be given by personal service or by mail to all members who can be identified with reasonable effort. For members of the class who cannot be identified with reasonable effort or where the court has not required individual notice, the court shall require notice to be given through methods reasonably calculated to inform the members of the class of the pendency of the action. Such methods may include using a newspaper, television or radio or posting or distributing through a trade, union or public interest group.
(c)The notice shall be prepared by and given at the expense of the plaintiff in the manner required by the order. A proposed form of notice shall be submitted for approval to the court and to all named defendants, who may file objections thereto within ten days. The court may require a defendant to cooperate in giving notice by taking steps which will minimize the plaintiff’s expense including the use of the defendant’s established methods of communication with members of the class, provided, however, that any additional costs thereby incurred by the defendant shall be paid by the plaintiff.
(d)If a defendant asserts a counterclaim against a plaintiff class or subclass, the expense of a combined notice of the plaintiff’s claim and of the defendant’s counterclaim shall be allocated between the parties as the court may order.
End
Plain-English Summary
Class members are entitled to learn that a case affecting their rights is underway. After certification, this rule has the court hear the parties on the question of notice and then enter a supplementary order fixing the type and content of notice to be given to the class — how members are told of the action and of their right to opt out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are class members notified of a class action?
The court enters a supplementary order prescribing the type and content of notice after certification.
Official Note
Official Note: Illustrative of the means of reducing the expense of individual notice is the inclusion of the notice in a mailing normally made by the defendant to members of the class.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1712 adopted June 30, 1977, effective September 1, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 1956.
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. This rule has not been amended since its adoption. Last verified June 30, 2026. ·
Official text
Also known as:notice of class actionclass notice ordernotifying class members