PERMISSIVE JOINDER OF PARTIES

A. PERMISSIVE JOINDER.

1. All persons may join in one action as plaintiffs if they assert any right to relief jointly, severally, or in the alternative:

a.in respect of or arising out of the same transaction or occurrence, or

b.if the claims arise out of a series of transactions or occurrences and any question of law or fact common to all these persons will arise in the action, or

c.if the claims are connected with the subject matter of the action.

2. All persons may be joined in one action as defendants if there is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative:

a.any right to relief in respect of or arising out of the same transaction or occurrence, or

b.if the claims arise out of a series of transactions or occurrences and any question of law or fact common to all defendants will arise in the action, or

c.if the claims are connected with the subject matter of the action.

3. A plaintiff or defendant need not be interested in obtaining or defending against all the relief demanded. Judgment may be given for one or more of the plaintiffs according to their respective rights to relief, and against one or more defendants according to their respective liabilities.

B. ACTIONS INVOLVING PROPERTY. In actions to quiet title or actions to enforce mortgages or other liens, persons who assert an interest in the property that is the subject of the action may be joined although their interest does not arise from the same transaction or occurrence. The court may order separate trials to prevent delay or prejudice.

C. SEPARATE TRIALS. The court may make such orders as will prevent a party from being embarrassed, delayed, or put to expense by the inclusion of a party against whom he asserts no claim and who asserts no claim against him, and may order separate trials or make other orders to prevent delay or prejudice. In determining whether to allow joinder under this section or to order separate trials, the court shall consider if in the interest of justice such action provides a fair and convenient forum for all parties.

Added by Laws 1984, c. 164, § 20, eff. Nov. 1, 1984. Amended by Laws 2004, c. 368, § 11, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.