RulesofCivilProcedure.com Civil Procedure · Every State

Rule 2311.Failure to Answer or Sufficiently Answer.

Adopted July 10, 1939 · Not amended since adoption · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 2311 treats unanswered or insufficiently answered allegations in a claimant's statement as admitted between the parties concerned.

Full Text of Rule 2311

Text size

All allegations of fact in a claimant’s statement which are not answered, or sufficiently answered, shall, as between the parties concerned thereby, be conclu- sive in the action.

Plain-English Summary

Silence has consequences in interpleader. This rule provides that allegations of fact in a claimant's statement that are not answered, or not sufficiently answered, are deemed admitted as between the parties concerned — pressing each party to address the competing claims squarely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a claimant's allegations go unanswered?

They are deemed admitted as between the parties concerned.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 2311 adopted July 10, 1939, effective January 22, 1940.

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. This rule has not been amended since its adoption. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text
Also known as: failure to answer interpleaderdeemed admitted interpleaderinsufficient answer interpleader