At any time during the pendency of an action, a person not a party thereto shall be permitted to intervene therein, subject to these rules if
Rule 2327.Who may intervene.
Adopted June 7, 1940 · Last amended April 12, 1999 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceA person who is not a party may be allowed to intervene if their interest is not already adequately represented and they fall within one of the listed categories.
Full Text of Rule 2327
(1) the entry of a judgment in such action or the satisfaction of such judg- ment will impose any liability upon such person to indemnify in whole or in part the party against whom judgment may be entered; or
(2) such person is so situated as to be adversely affected by a distribution or other disposition of property in the custody of the court or of an officer thereof; or
(3) such person could have joined as an original party in the action or could have been joined therein; or
(4) the determination of such action may affect any legally enforceable interest of such person whether or not such person may be bound by a judg- ment in the action.
Plain-English Summary
This rule names who may seek to join a pending case. The categories include a person who could have been joined as a party, one whose legal rights may be affected by the judgment, and one bound by the judgment as if a party. Meeting a category opens the door; the next rules decide whether the court lets the person through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does fitting a category guarantee intervention?
No. It makes a person eligible to ask. The court still weighs the request under the rule that governs its decision.
What kind of interest supports intervention?
A legally recognized stake in the outcome, such as being bound by the judgment or having rights that the case will determine, rather than general curiosity about the result.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 2327 adopted June 7, 1940, effective February 3, 1941; 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 (190613).
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: who may interveneright to intervene Pennsylvania