Rule 531. Participation by Amicus Curiae.

 (a)  Briefs.—Anyone interested in the questions involved in any matter pending in an appellate court, excluding Petitions for Allowance of Appeal, although not a party, may, without applying for leave to do so, file a brief amicus curiae in regard to those questions. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, any amicus curiae shall file and serve its brief in the manner and number required and within the time allowed by these rules with respect to the party whose position as to affirmance or reversal the amicus brief will support, or with respect to the appellant, if the amicus brief does not support the position of any party.

 (b)  Oral argument.—Oral argument may be presented by amicus curiae only as the appellate court may direct. Requests for leave to present oral argument shall be by application and will be granted only for extraordinary reasons.

   Official Note

   Where the amicus cannot comply with the requirements of this rule because of ignorance of the pendency of the question, relief may be sought under Rule 105(b). The last eight words of the rule are new. In Piccirilli Bros. v. Lewis, 282 Pa. 328, 336, 127 Atl. 832, 835 (1925) the court noted the applicability of this rule to public officers who are represented by official counsel with an adverse position.

   The provisions of this Rule 531 amended May 16, 1979, effective September 30, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 1740; amended February 27, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 1038, effective date as set forth at 10 Pa.B. 1038; amended September 25, 1992, effective immediately, 22 Pa.B. 5014. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (87195) to (87196).