Opinion ID: 2008637
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Limitations of this Opinion

Text: Given the complicated procedural history of this case, it seems appropriate to clearly delineate the compulsive force of our decision with regard to future proceedings in the trial courts. Particularly significant are the things we have not decided and the things which we do not preclude. First, nothing in this opinion should be read to preclude the Luzerne County trial court from reconsidering its interlocutory order denying Davis Cookies' allowance to amend its answer and new matter under Pa.R.C.P. 1033 to assert its permissive counterclaim. Likewise, nothing here precludes Wasley from entering filed consent to such an amendment. See Pa.R.C.P. 1033. Under Pa.R.C.P. 1033, either allowance of the court or consent filed by the opposing party is sufficient to permit such an amendment of the pleadings at any time during the pendency of the suit. Second, by reversing the order dismissing the Clarion County action brought by Davis Cookie, we do not restrict the discretion of the trial court to hold the Clarion County action in abeyance pending disposition of the Luzerne County action. See Norristown Automobile Co. v. Hand, supra ; Singer v. Dong Sup Cha, supra ; Ramco Corp. v. Colt Industries, 73 D & C.2d 647 (Pa.Cm.P. 1975). Likewise, if an amendment to assert the counterclaim is permitted in the Luzerne County action, and assuming arguendo that National Metal Edge Box, supra, remains good law and applies in this context, the Clarion County trial court would still have discretionary authority to hold its action in abeyance pending resolution of the Luzerne County action. Id. If neither action is held in abeyance, the first to reach final judgment may be pled in bar of the other (as may be appropriate based on the disposition), by the modern procedural successor to the common law plea of puis darrein continuance, i.e. by a motion raising additional new matter under Pa.R.C.P. 1033. The common law plea of puis darrien continuance was essentially a plea of collateral estoppel or res judicata by new matter nunc pro tunc based upon events occurring after the pleadings had closed. Woods v. White, 97 Pa. 222 (1881); Krider v. Lafferty, 1 Whar 303, 312 (Pa. 1836); Garvin v. Dawson, 13 Ser. & Raw. 246 (Pa. 1825); cf. II Bouvier's Law Dictionary 2769 (Rawle's Rev. 1914). The rigors of the common law puis darrien continuance plea have been ameliorated by its successor, Pa.R.C.P. 1033. Under the common law, interjection of a puis darrien continuance plea involved an all-or-nothing gamble, as it was a substitute plea which withdrew all other defenses and confessed liability to the full amount demanded by the opposing party's pleadings if the bar was found to be improper or ineffectual. See Woods v. White, supra . Under Pa.R.C.P. 1033, an amendment to assert a collateral estoppel or res judicata claim in new matter based on events occurring after the pleadings are joined does not require a waiver of other claims; rather, it requires merely leave of court, or consent of the opposing party. See Pa.R.C.P. 1033.