Rule 1901.Definitions.

Adopted March 9, 1977 · Last amended October 19, 2021 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1901 defines the terms for Protection From Abuse actions, including the Act, the action for protection from abuse, and the court that hears it.

Full Text of Rule 1901

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As used in this chapter: Act—The Protection from Abuse Act No. 206 approved December 19, 1990, 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6101 et seq. Action—A proceeding for protection from abuses defined in § 6102 of the Act. Court—The court of common pleas. Emergency Order—An order entered by a hearing officer, who is a person meeting the definition set forth at 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6102. Fees—means any costs associated with the filing, issuance, registration, service or appeal of a Protection From Abuse matter, including any foreign protection order. Temporary Order—An ex parte order entered by the court pursuant to 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 6107.

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Plain-English Summary

A Protection From Abuse (PFA) action lets a person seek a court order shielding them from abuse by a family or household member. This rule opens the chapter by defining its terms — the Protection from Abuse Act it implements, the action as a proceeding for protection from the abuse the Act defines, and the court of common pleas as the forum. The definitions frame the protective procedures that follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Protection From Abuse action?

A court proceeding in which a person seeks an order protecting them from abuse, under the Protection from Abuse Act.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 1901 adopted March 9, 1977, effective April 10, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 839; amended March 30, 1994, effective July 1, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 1943; amended March 9, 1998, effective July 1, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 1391; amended May 2, 2006, effective May 9, 2006, 36 Pa.B. 2369; amended October 19, 2021, effective January 1, 2022, 51 Pa.B. 6764. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (390067) to (390068).

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: protection from abusePFA actionabuse protection order