§ Rule 1076 Counterbond

Codes > Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure > Actions > Action in > Rule 1076

Rule 1076. Counterbond

    (a) A counterbond may be filed with the prothonotary by a defendant or intervenor claiming the right to the possession of the property, except a party claiming only a lien thereon, within seventy-two hours after the property has been seized, or within seventy-two hours after service upon the defendant when the taking of possession of the property by the sheriff has been waived by the plaintiff as provided by Rule 1077(a), or within such extension of time as may be granted by the court upon cause shown.

    Note: A person not a party to the action who claims the right to possession of the property may intervene in the action as a defendant. See Rule 2327. Since intervention will ordinarily require more than seventy-two hours, the applicant for intervention should also apply for an extension of the time within which to file a counterbond if he or she desires to obtain possession of the property after intervention has been allowed.

    After the allowance of intervention, the intervenor has the same status as an original party. See Rule 2330(a).

    Extensions of time may be needed when there are hearings under Rule 1075.2.

    (b) The counterbond shall be in the same amount as the original bond, with security approved by the prothonotary, naming the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as obligee, conditioned that if the party filing it fails to maintain the right to possession of the property he or she shall pay to the party entitled thereto the value of the property, and all legal costs, fees and damages sustained by reason of the delivery of the seized property to the party filing the counterbond.