As used in this chapter, ‘‘judgment’’ means a judgment, order or decree requir- ing the payment of money entered in any court which is subject to these rules, including a final or interlocutory order for payment of costs, except a judgment against the Commonwealth or a political subdivision.
Rule 3020.Definition.
Adopted December 19, 2003 · Last amended December 19, 2003 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceFor the chapter on judgment liens and their revival, “judgment” means any judgment, order, or decree for the payment of money entered in a court subject to these rules, including an order for costs, subject to a narrow exception stated in the rule.
Full Text of Rule 3020
Plain-English Summary
This rule fixes what counts as a “judgment” for the rules on judgment liens and revival that follow. The definition is broad — a judgment, order, or decree requiring the payment of money, entered in any court these rules govern, and including a final or interlocutory order for the payment of costs — with a narrow exception the rule itself states.
The Official Note ties the term to the Judicial Code and points out that a political subdivision includes a municipal or other local authority. Reading “judgment” this widely means the lien-and-revival machinery reaches the full range of money orders a court can enter, not just a verdict styled as a judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this chapter govern?
The revival of liens created by judgments and similar orders, to keep those liens in force.
Why begin with definitions?
The revival rules depend on shared terms, which a single definition section fixes.
Official Note
Official Note: Political subdivision includes a municipal or other local authority. See Defi- nition Rule 76.
Amendment History
This Rule 3020 adopted December 19, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 22.
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: revival judgment lien definitions