If a judgment is opened in whole or in part the issues to be tried shall be defined by the complaint if a complaint has been filed, and by the petition, answer and the order of the court opening the judgment. There shall be no fur- ther pleadings. The right to a jury trial on the opened judgment shall be deemed waived unless a party files and serves a written demand for jury trial within twenty days after the order opening judgment; but if the issue is referred to com- pulsory arbitration, Rule 1007.1 shall apply.
Rule 2960.Proceedings Upon Opening of Judgment. Pleadings. Jury Trial. Waiver.
Last amended April 1, 1996 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceWhen a confessed judgment is opened, the rule defines how the issues are framed, how the parties plead, and how jury trial is handled and may be waived.
Full Text of Rule 2960
Plain-English Summary
After a judgment is opened, the case proceeds toward a decision on the merits. This rule sets out how the issues to be tried are defined—by the complaint and the petition—how the parties plead from there, and how the right to a jury trial applies and may be waived.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after a confessed judgment is opened?
The case moves toward trial: the issues are defined, the parties plead, and the matter proceeds as a contested action.
Is a jury trial available once a judgment is opened?
The rule addresses jury trial and its waiver, so the parties’ jury rights are governed as the case proceeds.
Official Note
Official Note: Added June 27, 1969, effective January 1, 1970; amended October 4, 1973, effective December 1, 1973.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 2960 amended April 1, 1996, effective July 1, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 1806.
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: proceedings upon opening judgmentjury trial opened confession