(a) Except as provided by subdivision (b), if there is a judgment against two or more joint defendants, no revival of the lien of the judgment shall be effective against any of such defendants unless all joint defendants are made parties to the revival proceedings.
Rule 3026.1.Parties. Joint Defendants.
Adopted December 19, 2003 · Last amended December 19, 2003 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceWhere a judgment runs against joint defendants, reviving its lien binds none of them unless all are made parties, except that the revival is effective against any joint defendants who agree to be bound.
Full Text of Rule 3026.1
(b) If all or fewer than all joint defendants agree to be bound, the revival shall be effective against all of the defendants so agreeing.
Plain-English Summary
This rule protects jointly liable defendants from a piecemeal revival. If a judgment is against two or more joint defendants, the creditor cannot revive the lien against any one of them without bringing all of them into the proceeding.
The exception is consent: if all, or fewer than all, of the joint defendants agree to be bound, the revival takes effect against those who agree. As the Official Note explains, this all-or-nothing requirement applies to truly joint liability — it does not govern defendants who are jointly and severally, or only severally, liable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does revival work against joint defendants?
The rule sets how the proceeding includes and binds defendants held jointly on the judgment.
Why a separate rule for joint defendants?
Joint liability raises questions about which defendants must be joined, which this rule resolves.
Official Note
Official Note: This rule does not apply where defendants are jointly and severally liable or severally liable only.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3026.1 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: parties joint defendants revival