MBE Rules · Civil Procedure
Joinder of Claims
FRCP 18
The rule
A party asserting a claim may join every claim it has against the opposing party, related or not, subject to an independent jurisdictional basis for each.
In plain English
Joinder of claims allows a party to bring multiple claims against an opposing party in a single lawsuit, regardless of whether the claims are related. However, each claim must have its own basis for jurisdiction, meaning that the court must have the authority to hear each claim individually.
Worked example
Alice sues Bob for breach of contract and also includes a claim for negligence in the same lawsuit. While both claims are against Bob, Alice must ensure that the court has jurisdiction over both claims. The court finds that it has jurisdiction over both claims, allowing Alice to proceed with her lawsuit.
Memory hook
Join the party: bring all your claims to the dance, but make sure each has a ticket!
The trap
Exams may present scenarios where students forget that each claim must have its own jurisdictional basis, leading them to incorrectly assume all claims can be joined without considering jurisdiction. Students might also confuse related claims with the requirement for independent jurisdiction.
How examiners test it
Questions often test students on whether claims can be joined based on jurisdictional issues or whether claims are sufficiently related to warrant joinder, requiring careful analysis of each claim's jurisdictional basis.
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