Court Opinion

ID: 9701201
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 22:10:11.918513+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:20.767134
License: Public Domain

OLSZEWSKI, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent from the majority’s decision to address this appeal on the merits. I disagree with the majority’s conclusion that Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 3051 is inapplicable to this case. As a result, I would quash the appeal because appellants failed to file a petition to open the order terminating the case.
Pa.R.J.A. 1901(a) and an analogous Berks county local rule entitle the court to enter an order terminating a case for lack *236of activity on the docket. I understand the majority’s position that this type of termination differs in form from a judgment non pros, which is generally entered upon praecipe or petition of a party. I fail to see, however, why this distinction renders Pa.R.C.P. 3051, which requires all relief from a judgment non pros to be sought by way of petition, inapplicable to termination orders. The majority acknowledges that the effect of these two procedural devices is “virtually identical,” majority opinion at p. 230, and I would argue that their purposes are also identical: to rid the judicial system of cases that have, for whatever reason, not been diligently pursued by the party who initiated the action. Both devices rid the court’s docket of stale cases, serve a repose interest on the part of persons required to answer a complaint, and promote resolution of cases in the most expeditious manner possible.
As I understand Pa.R.C.P. 3051, moreover, it is designed to provide a uniform rule for all cases that are terminated for lack of activity. The comment to the rule states:
The rule adopts a uniform procedure although there are different types of judgments of non pros. For example, there is the judgment of non pros that is entered under rule 1037(a) for failure to file a complaint. In such an instance, the judgment is entered upon praecipe following a rule to file a complaint and there is no court involvement in the process. In contrast, there is the judgment of non pros that is entered by the court as a sanction under Discovery Rule 4019(c). This judgment of non pros is entered only after the court has heard the parties on the record.
The rule will apply in all cases in which relief from a judgment of non pros is sought, whether the judgment has been entered by praecipe as of right or by the court following a hearing. Where the court has not participated in the entry of the judgment, the rule will provide a procedure for court involvement and the making of a record which the appellate court will be able to review. Where the court has entered a judgment of non pros following a hearing, the rule will provide the court with an opportunity to review its prior decision. However, if the court is certain *237of its prior decision, it will be able to quickly dispose of the matter since the parties have already been heard on the issues.
Pa.R.C.P. 3051, Explanatory Comment — 1991.
It strains logic to conclude that even though Rule 3051 creates a uniform procedure for “different types” of judgments non pros, it does not contemplate orders which finally terminate a case for lack of activity. There is no question that the two final dispositions are identical and serve nearly — if not totally — identical purposes. I would thus conclude that the language of Berks County Local Rule 1901(d) which makes a termination order “final” barring any further action on the case, simply acknowledges that a termination order is tantamount to an actual non pros judgment. It should not be interpreted to mean, however, that the order is appealable. A party seeking relief from the entry of a final order terminating the case under Pa.R.J.A. 1901 should follow the same procedure required of any other party suffering a judgment for failing to pursue his or her case. He or she should petition to open the judgment.
I would therefore recommend quashing this appeal and, consequently, must respectfully dissent.