(a) The writ shall be the equivalent of a complaint in a civil action. The rules relating to a civil action so far as applicable shall govern further proceedings. No counterclaim may be asserted.
Rule 3030.Pleadings. Further Proceedings. Continuance of Lien.
Adopted October 1, 1964 · Last amended December 19, 2003 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceThe writ serves as the complaint, ordinary civil-action rules govern further proceedings, no counterclaim may be asserted, and the lien continues during those proceedings.
Full Text of Rule 3030
(b) Except as provided by subdivision (c), the lien of the writ shall continue during the further proceedings.
(c) If judgment cannot be entered on the writ within a period of five years after the entry of the writ in the judgment index because of the further proceed- ings, the court before which the further proceedings are pending may enter an order continuing the lien of the writ for a period not exceeding five years. The order shall become effective when entered in the judgment index.
Plain-English Summary
This rule shapes the contested phase of a revival. The writ stands in for a complaint, the regular civil-action rules apply so far as they fit, and a defendant may not raise a counterclaim. The lien holds during the proceedings, and the court may extend it if the case cannot be resolved within the lien's five-year span.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the writ function as a pleading?
Yes. The writ is treated as the equivalent of a complaint, and the civil-action rules govern from there.
Does the lien lapse while the revival is litigated?
No. The lien continues during the further proceedings, and the court may order it continued if needed.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3030 adopted October 1, 1964, effective April 1, 1965; amended December 16, 1983, effective July 1, 1984, 13 Pa.B. 3999; amended June 15, 1994, effective July 1, 1994, 25 Pa.B. 3215; amended December 19, 2003, effective July 1, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 22. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (213388).
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: pleadings further proceedings continuance of lien