Court Opinion

ID: 9746840
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-27 14:40:22.401623+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:25:17.476790
License: Public Domain

BROSKY, Judge,
concurring:
While I agree with the majority, I think it is important to emphasize that Rule 218, Pa.R.C.P. protects not only those parties present at time of trial, but also those who are not present or not ready to proceed to trial.
At first reading, the rule seems to be addressed only to those parties who are present and ready to proceed. The provision that a plaintiff may proceed in the absence of the defendant does give the plaintiff a right to have his cause *15tried even in the absence of the defendant and his attorney. Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Radcliffe on the Delaware, 439 Pa. 159, 266 A.2d 698 (1970). Similarly, when it is the plaintiff who is absent, the defendant can move for a nonsuit. The right is not one to a verdict without a trial. See Mazi v. McAnlis, 365 Pa. 114, 74 A.2d 108 (1950).
The verdicts rendered in ex parte trials are reviewable to determine whether the evidence adequately supports the verdict. See Meek v. Allen, 162 Pa.Super. 495, 58 A.2d 370 (1948).
A defendant absent from trial can demand compliance with Rule 218 to assure that such evidence is presented to the court.