Rule 219.View of Premises.

Adopted September 8, 1938 · Last amended April 18, 1975 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 219 lets a party ask to have the jury view premises involved in the litigation, either before the case is called or during trial, leaving the decision to the court’s discretion and allowing it to impose the reasonable costs of the view.

Full Text of Rule 219

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A party desiring to have the jury view any premises involved in the litigation, may make application thereof either prior to the call of the case for trial, or at the bar during the actual trial of the case. In all such cases, the allowance of the application shall be within the discretion of the court, which may impose upon the applicant such reasonable costs or expenses as may be involved in connection with such view, or may direct that any costs thereby incurred shall follow the judgment entered in such action as in other cases.

End

Plain-English Summary

This rule allows a jury to see the place at issue. A party may apply — before the call of the case or at the bar during trial — to have the jury view any premises involved in the litigation.

Whether to allow it rests with the court. The court may grant or deny the request and may impose on the applicant the reasonable costs of the view, or direct that those costs follow the judgment as in other cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the jury visit the scene?

A party may request that the jury view the premises involved in the case. Allowing the view is within the court’s discretion, and the court may impose the reasonable costs of it.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 219 adopted September 8, 1938, effective March 20, 1939; amended April 18, 1975, effective immediately, 5 Pa.B. 1820.

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: jury viewview of premisessite visit