At any time during the pendency of an action, the court, of its own motion or upon petition of a defendant, may interplead the plaintiff and one or more claim- ants not parties of record. More than one claimant may be interpleaded.
Rule 2302.Commencement of Proceedings.
Adopted July 10, 1939 · Last amended April 18, 1975 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2302 lets the court, on its own motion or a defendant's petition, interplead the plaintiff and a third-party claimant at any time during the action.
Full Text of Rule 2302
Plain-English Summary
A defendant caught between rival claimants can ask the court to sort them out. At any time during the action, this rule lets the court — on its own motion or on a defendant's petition — interplead the plaintiff and a claimant who is not a party, so all who claim the money or property litigate their entitlement in one proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a defendant start an interpleader?
By petition during the action; the court may interplead the plaintiff and a third-party claimant.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 2302 adopted July 10, 1939, effective January 22, 1940; 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: commence interpleaderinterpleader petitioninterplead claimants