Rule 2303.Allegations Required in Petition. Stay of Proceedings.

Adopted July 10, 1939 · Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 2303 sets the four allegations an interpleader petition must make — among them a competing claim by a non-party — and provides for staying the action pending the interpleader.

Full Text of Rule 2303

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(a) The petition for interpleader shall allege

(1) that a claimant not a party of record has made or is expected to make a demand upon the defendant as a result of which the defendant is or may be exposed to double or multiple liability to the plaintiff and to such claimant as to all or any part of the claim asserted by the plaintiff.

(2) that the petition is filed in good faith and not in collusion with the plaintiff or any claimant.

(3) the interest, if any, which the defendant claims in the money or property in controversy and whether the defendant is able (or if not, the reasons therefor) to pay or deliver that part of the money or property as to which he or she claims no interest into court or to such person as the court may direct.

(4) whether the defendant has admitted the claim of, or subjected himself or herself to independent liability to, the plaintiff or any claimant in respect to the subject matter of the action.

(b) The petition shall be subscribed and verified.

End

Plain-English Summary

An interpleader petition must show the defendant truly faces double exposure. This rule requires the petition to allege four things, chief among them that a claimant not a party of record has made or is expected to make a demand on the defendant for the same money or property; the petition must also allege good faith and no collusion, state the defendant’s own interest and ability to pay or deliver the rest into court, and disclose any admitted claim or independent liability. The rule provides for staying the underlying action while the interpleader is decided — protecting the defendant from inconsistent demands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must an interpleader petition allege?

Four things: that a non-party claimant has made or is expected to make a competing demand on the defendant for the same money or property; that the petition is filed in good faith and not in collusion; what interest the defendant claims and whether it can pay or deliver the rest into court; and whether the defendant has admitted a claim or taken on independent liability. The petition must also be signed and verified.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 2303 adopted July 10, 1939, effective January 22, 1940; amended April 18, 1975, effective immediately, 5 Pa.B. 1820; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2274. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (190606).

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: interpleader petition allegationsstay of proceedings interpleadercompeting claim interpleader