(a) A levy upon tangible personal property under any valid writ shall be a levy upon said property under every valid writ of any plaintiff against the same defendant then in the hands of the sheriff. The levy shall be noted on each writ.
Rule 3115.Writs of several plaintiffs; notation of levy.
Adopted March 30, 1960 · Last amended April 20, 1998 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceA single levy on tangible personal property counts as a levy under every valid writ against the same debtor then in the sheriff’s hands, and staying or abandoning one writ does not undo levies or proceedings taken under another.
Full Text of Rule 3115
(b) When tangible personal property has been levied upon and the property remains subject to the levy or the proceeds of the sheriff’s sale thereof remain in the hands of the sheriff, a levy upon the property or proceeds under a later writ against the same defendant may be made by notation of levy upon the later writ. The sheriff shall also make an actual levy if the plaintiff so directs.
(c) The stay of a writ, abandonment of a writ or a levy thereunder, release of property from levy or setting aside of a writ or levy, shall not affect any levy made or proceeding taken under any other writ prior to such action, unless the court otherwise directs.
Plain-English Summary
This rule coordinates competing executions against the same goods. A levy on tangible personal property under any valid writ is treated as a levy under every other valid writ against the same debtor then held by the sheriff, with the levy noted on each writ.
When property is already under levy, a later writ against the same debtor reaches the property or its sale proceeds still in the sheriff’s hands. And action on one writ — a stay, abandonment, release, or setting aside — does not disturb levies or proceedings already taken under another writ. The rule prevents one creditor’s choices from wiping out the positions other creditors have secured.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens with multiple creditors' writs?
A levy under one valid writ serves as a levy under the others in the sheriff's hands, noted by endorsement.
Does staying one writ affect the others?
No. The withdrawal, stay, or release of one writ does not affect levy or proceedings on the others.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 3115 adopted March 30, 1960, effective November 1, 1960; amended April 20, 1998, effective July 1, 1998, 28 Pa.B. 2026. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (213405).
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: writs several plaintiffs notation of levy