Also known as: joinder of action · joinder
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
2 senses
A procedural mechanism that permits multiple claims or parties to be combined in a single lawsuit when the claims share a common nucleus of operative fact.
A procedural mechanism that permits multiple claims or parties to be combined in a single lawsuit when separate actions would be impracticable.
A procedural mechanism that permits multiple claims or parties to be combined in a single lawsuit when the claims share a common nucleus of operative fact.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
A procedural mechanism that permits multiple claims or parties to be combined in a single lawsuit when separate actions would be impracticable.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Each sense below has its own examples, sources, and questions.
Jamal Jefferson sues Jackson Mutual in federal court on a federal claim. He later asserts a related state-law claim against Jung BioTech, a new defendant joined under Rule 20. The court exercises supplemental jurisdiction because the claims form part of the same case or controversy.
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(b), supplemental jurisdiction is barred over claims by plaintiffs against Rule 14, 19, or 20 parties when original jurisdiction rests solely on diversity and the joinder would destroy complete diversity.
Supporting sources
Julia Jensen seeks to represent 500 purchasers of a defective pharmaceutical product manufactured by Jha Pharmaceuticals. Because the class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable, the court certifies the class under Rule 23(a)(1) and proceeds with a single action rather than requiring separate suits.
Jacob Jennings transferred real property during marriage without his spouse's written consent. After his death, the surviving spouse asserts that the transfer is includible in the augmented estate because the property was not transferred with the written joinder of the surviving spouse.
Javier Jimenez, domiciled in State A, sues Juarez Holdings over title to land in State B. The court applies its own state's rules on joinder of parties and pleadings while applying State B law to the substantive capacity of the transferor.
James Johnson, holding disputed insurance proceeds, joins two rival claimants as defendants in an interpleader action. The court permits joinder even though the claimants' titles lack a common origin and are adverse.
Justin Jarvis, a U.S. resident, sues a foreign corporation and a domestic defendant in a single district. The court disregards the foreign defendant's joinder when determining proper venue for the action against the domestic defendant.
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(c)(3), a defendant not resident in the United States may be sued in any judicial district, and the joinder of such a defendant is disregarded in determining where the action may be brought against other defendants.
Supporting sources
Fed. R. Civ. P. 22(a)(1) permits persons with claims that may expose a plaintiff to double or multiple liability to be joined as defendants and required to interplead, even when the claims lack a common origin or are adverse.
Supporting sources
Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a)(1) requires that the class be so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable before a class action may proceed.
Supporting sources
Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 222(d) provides that courts apply forum rules to issues involving joinder of parties while selecting the law of another state for substantive issues such as capacity to transfer property.
Supporting sources
…to define for itself the appropriate standard of media liability so long as it does not impose liability without fault. As my joinder in Rosenbloom 's plurality opinion would intimate, I sense some illogic in this. The Court, however, seeks today to strike a balance between competing values where necessarily uncertain…