Rule 214.Preferences on Trial Lists.

Adopted September 8, 1938 · Last amended July 23, 2002 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceIn preparing the trial list, the court gives scheduling preference to cases in which a new trial has been granted and to any other cases it designates on application and a showing of cause.

Full Text of Rule 214

Text sizeJump to: (1) (2)

Preference shall be given in the preparation of trial lists to

(1) cases in which a new trial has been granted, and

(2) such cases as the court upon application and cause shown may designate.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule sets a short priority order for putting cases on the trial list. Two kinds of cases move toward the front: those in which a new trial has already been granted, which have effectively been tried once and should not wait again, and any other cases the court chooses to advance on a party’s application and a showing of cause.

The second category is left to the court’s discretion, so a party with a pressing reason — an aging witness, an urgent dispute — can ask to be heard sooner. Everything else takes its ordinary place in the queue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cases get preference on the trial list?

Cases in which a new trial has been granted, and cases the court designates on application and for cause shown.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 214 adopted September 8, 1938, effective March 20, 1939; amended March 11, 1991, effective July 1, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 1274; amended July 23, 2002, effective immediately, 32 Pa.B. 3886. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (255164) to (255165).

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: trial list preferencepreferences on trial lists