# 42 Pa.C.S. § 8525: Legal assistance

> Pennsylvania · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8525

## Section

- **Citation:** 42 Pa.C.S. § 8525
- **Heading:** Legal assistance
- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** PA Code / Title 42 / Chapter 85 / Section 8525

## Text

When an action is brought under this subchapter against an employee of the Commonwealth government, and it is alleged that the act of the employee which gave rise to the claim was within the scope of the office or duties of the employee, the Commonwealth through the Attorney General shall defend the action, unless the Attorney General determines that the act did not occur within the scope of the office or duties of the employee. In the latter case, if it is subsequently determined that the act occurred within the scope of the office or duties of the employee, the Commonwealth shall reimburse the employee for the expense of his legal defense in such amounts as shall be determined to be reasonable by the court. If an action is brought against a Commonwealth government employee for damages on account of injury to a person or property and it is not alleged that the act of the employee which gave rise to the claim was within the scope of his office or duties, and he successfully defends the action on the basis that the act was within the scope of his office or duties, and he has given prior notice to the Attorney General and the Attorney General has refused to defend the action, he shall likewise be entitled to the reasonable expenses of the defense. Cross References. Section 8525 is referred to in sections 17131, 17133, 17162, 17312, 17342 of Title 16 (Counties);

sections 6006, 6018 of Title 64 (Public Authorities and Quasi-Public Corporations); sections 1711, 1722 of Title 74 (Transportation).

## Nearby sections

- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8501 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8501.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8502 Enforcement proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8502.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8521 Sovereign immunity generally.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8521.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8522 Exceptions to sovereign immunity.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8522.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8523 Venue and process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8523.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8524 Defenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8524.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8525 Legal assistance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8525.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8526 Counterclaim by the Commonwealth.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8526.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8527 Indemnity relating to inmate health care.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8527.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8528 Limitations on damages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8528.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8541 Governmental immunity generally.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8541.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8542 Exceptions to governmental immunity.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8542.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8545 Official liability generally.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8545.md)
- [42 Pa.C.S. § 8546 Defense of official immunity.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8546.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T42_C85_S8525. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.