(a) The amendments promulgated in 1996 to the rules of civil procedure pro- hibiting the entry of a judgment by confession for money in connection with a consumer credit transaction shall apply to actions commenced after the effective date set forth in the Order of the Supreme Court.
Rule 2961.Application of Amendments to Pending Actions.
Last amended April 1, 1996 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThe 1996 amendments restricting confession of judgment apply to actions pending when they took effect.
Full Text of Rule 2961
(b) The amendments promulgated in 1996 to the rules governing execution on a judgment entered by confession for money shall apply to executions com- menced after the effective date set forth in the Order of the Supreme Court.
Plain-English Summary
This rule carries the 1996 reforms into pending cases. Those amendments tightened the use of confessed judgments in specified consumer settings, and the rule confirms they reach actions that were already open, not only new filings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the 1996 amendments address?
They limit the entry of judgment by confession in the circumstances the amendments specify, as part of consumer-protection reforms.
Do the amendments apply to pending cases?
Yes. The rule applies them to actions that were pending when the amendments took effect.
Official Note
Official Note: The amendments to Rules 2950, 2951 and 2952 generally relate to the pro- hibition against the entry of a judgment by confession arising from a consumer credit transac- tion.
Official Note: The amendments to Rules 2956.1 through 2959 and Rules 2963 through 2967 generally relate to execution upon a judgment entered by confession and relief from the judgment.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 2961 amended April 1, 1996, effective July 1, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 1806. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (146746). FORMS
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: application of amendments confession money1996 confession amendments