Rule 211.Oral Arguments.

Adopted September 8, 1938 · Last amended October 26, 2015 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 211 governs oral argument on a motion: any interested party may request it, the court may require argument whether or not a party asks, and the court may also dispose of a motion without oral argument.

Full Text of Rule 211

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Any interested party may request oral argument on a motion. The court may require oral argument, whether or not requested by a party. The court may dispose of any motion without oral argument.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule allocates control over oral argument. A party with an interest in a motion may request argument, but the decision rests with the court.

The court may require oral argument even when no party asked for it, and it may decide a motion without any argument at all. The request preserves a party’s ability to be heard, but it does not guarantee an argument.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get oral argument on my motion?

You may request it, but the court decides. The court may require argument on its own, and it may also dispose of a motion without oral argument.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 211 adopted September 8, 1938, effective March 20, 1939; amended April 18, 1975, effective immediately, 5 Pa.B. 1820; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2266; amended October 26, 2015, effective January 1, 2016, 45 Pa.B. 6480. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (369612).

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: oral argumentargument on motion