# PA. R. Ct. 209: Rule 209. Continuances and Stays > Pennsylvania · Court rules · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R209 ## Section - **Citation:** PA. R. Ct. 209 - **Heading:** Rule 209. Continuances and Stays - **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania - **Kind:** Court rules - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** PA Court Rules / Title 246 / Rule 209 ## Text (a) Continuances may be granted for cause or by agreement. (b) Continuances shall be to a specific time and date. The magisterial district judge shall note continuances on the docket and shall promptly give or mail to the parties written notice of continuances. (c) Except for good cause shown or agreement of the parties: (1) not more than one continuance shall be granted to each party; and (2) the aggregate of all continuances shall not extend the date of the hearing: (i) beyond 90 days from the date of filing the plaintiff’s complaint in proceedings commenced pursuant to Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 303; or (ii) beyond 30 days from the date of filing the landlord’s complaint in proceedings commenced pursuant to Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 502. (d) In all proceedings governed by these rules, the following shall constitute cause for granting a continuance: (1) the scheduling of a party’s attorney of record to appear at any proceeding under the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement, whether: (i) as counsel for a respondent-attorney before a hearing committee, special master, the Disciplinary Board, or the Supreme Court; (ii) as a special master or member of a hearing committee; or (iii) as a member of the Disciplinary Board. (2) the scheduling of a party’s attorney of record to appear at any proceeding involving the discipline of a justice, judge, or magisterial district judge under Section 18 of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, whether (i) as counsel for a justice, judge, or magisterial district judge before the special tribunal provided for in 42 Pa.C.S. § 727, the Court of Judicial Discipline, the Judicial Conduct Board, or any hearing committee or other arm of the Judicial Conduct Board; or (ii) as a member of the Court of Judicial Discipline, the Judicial Conduct Board, or any hearing committee or other arm of the Judicial Conduct Board. (e) Continuances and stays shall be granted in compliance with federal or state law, such as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. § § 3901 et seq icial Conduct Board, or any hearing committee or other arm of the Judicial Conduct Board; or (ii) as a member of the Court of Judicial Discipline, the Judicial Conduct Board, or any hearing committee or other arm of the Judicial Conduct Board. (e) Continuances and stays shall be granted in compliance with federal or state law, such as the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. § § 3901 et seq . Comment: This rule was amended in 2005 to consolidate the provisions of former Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 320, relating to continuances in civil actions, and Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 511, relating to continuances in possessory actions, into one general rule governing continuances. The limitations set forth in subdivision (c) are intended to ensure that these cases proceed expeditiously. The grounds set forth in subdivision (d) and (e) are not intended to be the only grounds on which a continuance will be granted. Participation in a landlord-tenant mediation program authorized by local rule will not entitle a party to a continuance beyond 30 days from the date the plaintiff filed the complaint unless there has been good cause shown or agreement by the parties. See Pa.R.Civ.P.M.D.J. 504.1 pertaining to landlord-tenant mediation programs authorized by local rule. Source The provisions of this Rule 209 adopted March 15, 1994, effective upon publication, 24 Pa.B. 1675; amended December 16, 2004, effective July 1, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 10; amended September 9, 2008, effective October 1, 2008, 38 Pa.B. 5163; amended August 14, 2013, effective in 30 days on September 13, 2013, 43 Pa.B. 4967; amended April 17, 2020, effective September 1, 2020, 50 Pa.B. 2252; amended August 19, 2020, effective January 1, 2021, 50 Pa.B. 4491; amended July 31, 2025, effective October 1, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 5859. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (419741) to (419742). ## Nearby sections - [PA. R. Ct. 101 Rule 101. Establishment of Offices. Minimum Office Standards.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R101.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 102 Rule 102. Implementation Committees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R102.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 110 Rule 110. Bonds of Magisterial District Judges.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R110.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 111 Rule 111. Seal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R111.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 112 Rule 112. Availability and Temporary Assignments of Magisterial District Judges.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R112.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 113 Rule 113. Use of Facsimile Signature.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R113.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 201 Rule 201. Citation of Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R201.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 202 Rule 202. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R202.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 203 Rule 203. Computation of Time.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R203.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 204 Rule 204. Purpose and Construction of Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R204.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 205 Rule 205. Record of Proceedings. Transcript of Record.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R205.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 206 Rule 206. Costs; Proceedings In Forma Pauperis .](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R206.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 207 Rule 207. Representation in Magisterial District Court Proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R207.md) - [PA. R. Ct. 207.1 Rule 207.1. Attorney of Record; Notices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R207_1.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_PA_T246_R209. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.