Section 502. Substitution of Parties

(a) Death of a party.—If a party dies after a notice of appeal or petition for review is filed or while a matter is otherwise pending in an appellate court, the personal representative of the deceased party may be substituted as a party on application filed by the representative or by any party with the prothonotary of the appellate court. The application of a party shall be served upon the representative in accordance with the provisions of Rule 123 (applications for relief). If the deceased party has no representative, any party may suggest the death on the record and proceedings shall then be had as the appellate court may direct. If a party against whom an appeal may be taken or a petition for review may be filed dies after entry of an order below but before a notice of appeal or petition for review is filed, an appellant may proceed as if death had not occurred. After the notice of appeal or petition for review is filed substitution shall be effected in the appellate court in accordance with this subdivision. If a party entitled to appeal or petition for review shall die before filing a notice of appeal or petition for review, the notice of appeal or petition for review may be filed by his personal representative, or, if he has no personal representative, by his counsel, within the time prescribed by these rules. After the notice of appeal or petition for review is filed substitution shall be effected in the appellate court in accordance with this subdivision.

(b) Substitution in other cases or for other causes.—If substitution of a party in an appellate court is necessary in connection with a petition for allowance of appeal or a petition for permission to appeal, or in connection with any other matter other than a notice of appeal or petition for review, or if substitution of a party in an appellate court is necessary for any reason other than death, substitution shall be effected in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Subdivision (a) of this rule.

(c) Death or separation from office of public officer.—When a public officer is a party to an appeal or other matter in an appellate court in his official capacity and during its pendency dies, resigns or otherwise ceases to hold office, the matter does not abate and his successor is automatically substituted as a party. Proceedings following the substitution shall be in the name of the substituted party, but any misnomer not affecting the substantial rights of the parties shall be disregarded. An order of substitution may be entered at any time, but the omission to enter such an order shall not affect the substitution.

Official Note

Pa.R.Civ.P. 2351 to 2375 relate to substitution of parties in the courts of common pleas, but this rule, which is patterned after Fed. Rules App. Proc. 43(a), (b) and (c)(1), covers the subject in the appellate courts for the first time.