(a) The procedure, including pleadings, between the party joining an addi- tional defendant and the additional defendant shall be the same as though the party joining the additional defendant were a plaintiff and the additional defen- dant were a defendant.
Rule 2255.Procedure.
Last amended March 23, 2007 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2255 has the procedure between the joining party and the additional defendant follow the ordinary rules, and addresses the additional defendant's pleadings and defenses.
Full Text of Rule 2255
(b) Rescinded.
(c) No judgment on the pleadings may be entered in favor of any party against an additional defendant for failure to answer the complaint of the party joining the additional defendant, but all allegations of fact in such complaint to which an answer is required and which are not sufficiently answered shall be conclusive upon the additional defendant.
(d) The plaintiff shall recover from an additional defendant found liable to the plaintiff alone or jointly with the defendant as though such additional defendant had been joined as a defendant and duly served and the initial pleading of the plaintiff had averred such liability.
Plain-English Summary
Once an additional defendant is in, the case runs normally as to them. This rule has the pleadings and procedure between the joining party and the additional defendant follow the same rules as between a plaintiff and defendant, and addresses the additional defendant's right to assert defenses to the plaintiff's claim and to the joining party's claim. The added party is fully a litigant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an additional defendant participate in the case?
Through the ordinary pleadings and procedure, with the right to defend against the plaintiff's claim and the joining party's claim.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 2255 amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2274; amended March 23, 2007, effective June 1, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 1480. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (309378) to (309379).
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: additional defendant procedurethird-party practiceadditional defendant pleadings