(a) The request may be served without leave of court upon the plaintiff after commencement of the action and upon any other party with or after service of the original process upon that party.
Rule 4009.11.Request Upon a Party for Production of Documents and Things.
Adopted April 7, 1997 · Last amended June 6, 2012 · Last verified June 30, 2026
In one sentenceA party may serve a document-production request on another party without leave of court, setting out in numbered paragraphs the items or categories of documents and things to be produced.
Full Text of Rule 4009.11
(b) The request shall set forth in numbered paragraphs the items to be pro- duced either by individual item or by category, and describe each item or cat- egory with reasonable particularity. Each paragraph shall seek only a single item or a single category of items. The request shall be prepared in such fashion that sufficient space is provided immediately after each paragraph for insertion of the answer.
Plain-English Summary
This rule governs a production request directed to a party. It may be served without leave of court — on the plaintiff after the action begins, and on any other party with or after the original process. The request sets out in numbered paragraphs the items to be produced, described either individually or by category with reasonable particularity, so the responding party knows what is sought.
The Official Note advises that requests for electronically stored information be specific. Numbered, particular requests frame a paragraph-by-paragraph answer and keep the exchange organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you request documents from another party?
By serving a request that lists, in numbered paragraphs, the items or categories of documents and things to be produced.
Is court permission needed?
No. The request may be served without leave of court.
Official Note
Official Note: A request seeking electronically stored information should be as specific as possible. Limitations as to time and scope are favored, as are agreements between the parties on production formats and other issues. See also Rule 4009.1 generally regarding electronically stored information.
Amendment History
The provisions of this Rule 4009.11 adopted April 7, 1997, effective July 1, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 1921; amended June 6, 2012, effective August 1, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 3574. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (303601).
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: request for productiondocument request