MBE Rules · Civil Procedure
Interpleader — Rule 22 vs statutory
FRCP 22 / 28 U.S.C. §1335
The rule
Interpleader allows a stakeholder facing multiple adverse claims to the same property to force claimants to litigate among themselves. Rule 22 interpleader requires ordinary SMJ (complete diversity between stakeholder and claimants; >$75,000). Statutory interpleader (§1335) requires only minimal diversity between any two claimants, $500 in controversy, deposit of the stake, and permits nationwide service of process (§2361).
In plain English
The classic: insurer holds one policy, multiple claimants sue. Statutory interpleader is the go-to because its jurisdictional bar is much lower and it enables nationwide service.
Memory hook
Rule 22 = ordinary rules; §1335 = minimal diversity, $500, deposit, nationwide reach.
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