Explanatory Comment
Rules 1653 and 1656 governing actions to obtain judgment on mechanics’ liens
have been amended to clarify and update both rules. Rule 1653 governing
commencement of the action, has been amended in two respects. First, the rule
currently allows for an action to obtain judgment on a mechanics’ lien to be initiated by
complaint or agreement for an amicable action. The amendment limits initiation of an
action by complaint only. The agreement for an amicable action was deleted from Rule
1007 governing the commencement of general civil actions in 1991 because it was a
device little used in modern practice, and could be achieved through alternative
procedures. See Rule 1007, Explanatory Comment -- 1991. The amendment of Rule
1653 conforms actions to obtain judgment on mechanics’ liens to modern practice.
Second, the Rules of Civil Procedure are silent as to whether a claim for a
mechanics’ lien should be filed under the same or separate docket number as the
complaint to obtain judgment on a mechanics’ lien. The amendment requires that the
claim and the complaint should be filed under the same docket number to clarify
procedure. The requirement to use one docket number applies to all complaints filed
after the effective date of the proposed amendment.
A note has been added to Rule 1656 governing the complaint to aid practitioners
as to the requirements for filing a mechanics’ lien and the subsequent complaint to
obtain judgment.
By the Civil Procedural
Rules Committee
William S. Stickman IV
Chair
In Re: Order Amending Rules 1653 and 1656 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure
Combined Opinion