Rule 2957.Praecipe for Writ of Execution; Amount; Items Claimed; Certification.
Last amended December 29, 2008 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2957 governs the praecipe that starts execution on a confessed judgment: it may claim the amount due, interest, attorneys’ fees and costs, must bear the words “Confessed Judgment,” and must certify why the prothonotary may issue the writ.
(a)Plaintiff may include the amount due, interest, attorneys’ fees and costs in the praecipe for a writ of execution under Rule 2963(5).
(b)The praecipe for the writ of execution shall contain the words ‘‘Confessed Judgment’’ immediately below the title of the praecipe and a certification that
(1)the praecipe is based upon a confessed judgment and
(2)the prothonotary is authorized to issue the writ of execution because
(i)notice has been served pursuant to Rule 2958.1 as evidenced by a return of service filed of record, or
(ii)notice will be served pursuant to Rule 2958.2 because the property to be levied upon consists solely of real property or real property and personal property to be sold with the real property pursuant to Section 9604(a) of the Uniform Commercial Code, or
(iii)notice will be served pursuant to Rule 2958.3 because the property to be levied upon consists of personal property or personal property and real property, not within the scope of Rule 2958.2(a)(2), or
(iv)notice was served in connection with a prior execution on this judgment and no further notice is required under Rule 2958.4(b), or
(v)a petition to open or strike the judgment has been previously filed and notice is not required under Rule 2956.1(c).
End
Plain-English Summary
Execution on a confessed judgment starts with a praecipe, the written request that tells the prothonotary to issue a writ of execution. Under this rule the plaintiff may list the amount due, interest, attorneys’ fees and costs in the praecipe, in the spaces Rule 2963(5) provides. The words “Confessed Judgment” must appear immediately below the praecipe’s title.
The praecipe must also certify that it rests on a confessed judgment and give one of five reasons the prothonotary may issue the writ: notice already served under Rule 2958.1, shown by a return of service of record; notice that will be served under Rule 2958.2, because only real property, or real property sold together with personal property, is to be levied upon; notice that will be served under Rule 2958.3, because the levy reaches personal property; notice served on an earlier execution, where Rule 2958.4(b) excuses a new one; or an earlier petition to open or strike, which makes notice unnecessary under Rule 2956.1(c).
The certification puts the defendant’s notice rights on the record before the writ issues. Rule 2963 prints the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What may the execution praecipe include?
The amount due, interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs, stated under the rule’s certification requirement.
What is a praecipe?
A written request directing the prothonotary to issue a particular paper—here, the writ of execution that starts collection on the judgment.
Official Note
Official Note: See Rule 2963 for the form of the praecipe for writ of execution upon a confessed judgment.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 2957 amended April 1, 1996, effective July 1, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 1806; amended October 15, 2004, effective immediately, 34 Pa.B. 5890; amended December 29, 2008, effective immediately, 39 Pa.B. 304. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (307566) to (307567).
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:praecipe writ of execution confessionamount claimed execution