Rule 1715.Judgment.
Adopted June 30, 1977 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1715 generally bars entering judgment by default, on the pleadings, or by summary judgment for or against the class until the court has ruled on certification.
Full Text of Rule 1715
(a) Except by special order of the court, no judgment by default or on the pleadings or by summary judgment may be entered in favor of or against the class until the court has certified or refused to certify the action as a class action.
(b) A judgment entered on preliminary objections in a class action before certification shall bind only the named parties to the action.
(c) A judgment entered in an action certified as a class action shall be binding on all members of the class except as otherwise directed by the court.
(d) In all cases the judgment shall be framed by the court and shall specify or describe the parties who are bound by its terms.
End
Plain-English Summary
The class question comes first. Except by special order of the court, this rule bars judgment by default, on the pleadings, or by summary judgment in favor of or against the class until the court has certified or refused to certify the action as a class action — so the binding effect of any judgment is settled before it is entered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can judgment be entered before a class is certified?
Not by default, on the pleadings, or by summary judgment for or against the class, except by special order of the court. A judgment on preliminary objections may be entered first, but it binds only the named parties.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 1715 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: class action judgmentjudgment before certificationdefault judgment class