As used in this chapter ‘‘action’’ means any civil action or proceeding brought in or appealed to any court which is subject to these rules; ‘‘corporation or similar entity’’ includes any public, quasi-public or private corporation, insurance association or exchange, joint stock company or associa- tion, limited liability company, professional association, business trust, or any other association which is regarded as an entity distinct from the members composing the association, but does not include the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania, a political subdivision as defined in Rule 76, a partnership as defined in Rule 2126, or an unincorporated association as defined in Rule 2151; ‘‘corporate name’’ means any name, real or fictitious, under which a corpo- ration or similar entity was organized, or conducts business, whether or not such name has been filed or registered; ‘‘executive officer’’ means a chairman, president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, general manager, or any like officer of a corporation or similar entity; ‘‘member’’ includes any shareholder in a corporation or similar entity.
Rule 2176.Definitions.
Adopted November 26, 1943 · Last amended December 16, 2003 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2176 defines the terms used in the chapter on corporations and similar entities as parties, including what counts as an 'action.'
Full Text of Rule 2176
Plain-English Summary
This chapter governs how a corporation or similar entity sues and is sued. The opening rule defines its terms — chiefly that an 'action' means any civil action or proceeding subject to these rules — framing the rules that follow on suing in the corporate name and venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the corporations chapter define?
Its key terms, including that an 'action' means any civil action or proceeding subject to these rules.
Official Note
Official Note: The term ‘‘corporation or similar entity’’ as defined above includes all asso- ciations and business entities which are regarded as separate and distinct from their members. No attempt has been made to enumerate all the various classes of private corporations falling within the definition.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 2176 adopted November 26, 1943, effective August 1, 1944; amended January 12, 2001, effective July 1, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 137; amended December 16, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 9. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (295863).
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: corporations as parties definitionscorporate party actionentity litigant definition