In Re: Amendment of Rule 7.3 of Pa Rules of Professional Conduct

Summary

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania amended Rule 7.3 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct to add subsection (b)(4), which prohibits lawyers from soliciting a party named as a defendant or respondent in a domestic relations action until proof of service appears on the docket. The amendment aims to reduce the risk of violent confrontation that may arise if a solicitation reaches the defendant before service of the complaint. The rule defines "domestic relations action" to include actions governed by the Family Court Rules and actions under the Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation Act.

Holdings

1. The court amended Rule 7.3(b) to add paragraph (4) prohibiting solicitation of a party who has been named as a defendant or respondent in a domestic relations action until proof of service appears on the docket, and added a comment explaining the rationale.

Questions Presented

1. Whether to amend Rule 7.3 to prohibit solicitation of defendants in domestic relations actions prior to service of process.

Disposition

approved