PA BAR Study Guide 2026

Pennsylvania's IIED tort requires that the defendant's conduct was extreme and outrageous, intentional or reckless in causing distress, and that the plaintiff suffered severe emotional distress as a result.

18 Pa. C.S. § 903 provides that a person is guilty of conspiracy if they agree with another to commit a crime and an overt act is performed in furtherance of the conspiracy.

Precedent, or stare decisis, is a cornerstone of the common law system in Pennsylvania. It mandates that courts follow legal principles established in prior decisions by higher courts in similar cases. This ensures consistency, predictability, and fairness in the application of the law, guiding future judicial rulings and providing stability to the legal system.

33 Pa. C.S. § 1 (Pennsylvania's Statute of Frauds) requires contracts for the sale of real property to be in writing and signed by the party to be charged.

When determining alimony in Pennsylvania, courts consider a comprehensive list of factors, including the standard of living established during the marriage. This helps ensure that the dependent spouse can maintain a lifestyle reasonably comparable to what they enjoyed during the marriage, to the extent possible. Other factors include the parties' incomes, earning capacities, and the length of the marriage.

Pennsylvania's Marketable Record Title Act provides that a person with an unbroken chain of title for 50 years holds marketable record title, extinguishing prior interests not preserved by re-recording.