State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > North-carolina > Chapter_1A > GS_1A-1__Rule_20Rule 20. Permissive joinder ofparties.
(a) Permissive joinder. All persons may join in one action as plaintiffs if they assert any right torelief jointly, severally, or in the alternative in respect of or arising outof the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrencesand if any question of law or fact common to all parties will arise in theaction. All persons may be joined in one action as defendants if there isasserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative, any right torelief in respect of or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, orseries of transactions or occurrences and if any question of law or fact commonto all parties will arise in the action. A plaintiff or defendant need not beinterested in obtaining or defending against all the relief demanded. Judgmentmay be given for one or more of the plaintiffs according to their respectiverights to relief, and against one or more defendants according to theirrespective liabilities.
(b) Separate trial. The court shall make such orders as will prevent a party from beingembarrassed, delayed, or put to expense by the inclusion of a party againstwhom he asserts no claim and who asserts no claim against him, and shall orderseparate trials or make other orders to prevent delay or prejudice. (1967,c. 954, s. 1; 1973, c. 75.)
