Rule · Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

Rule 42. Consolidation; Separate Trials

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure § 42

Type: Rule
Source: Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Jurisdiction: Federal
Date: 2026-07-10
Topic: general

Rule 42. Consolidation; Separate Trials (a) Consolidation. If actions before the court involve a common question of law or fact, the court may: (1) join for hearing or trial any or all matters at issue in the actions; (2) consolidate the actions; or (3) issue any other orders to avoid unnecessary cost or delay. (b) Separate Trials. For convenience, to avoid prejudice, or to expedite and economize, the court may order a separate trial of one or more separate issues, claims, crossclaims, counterclaims, or third-party claims.

Rule42. Consolidation; Separate Trials

(a) Consolidation.If actions before the court involve a common question of law or fact, the court may:(1)join for hearing or trial any or all matters at issue in the actions;(2)consolidate the actions; or(3)issue any other orders to avoid unnecessary cost or delay.(b) Separate Trials.For convenience, to avoid prejudice, or to expedite and economize, the court may order a separate trial of one or more separate issues, claims, crossclaims, counterclaims, or third-party claims. When ordering a separate trial, the court must preserve any federal right to a jury trial.

[Amended April 30, 2007, effective December 1, 2007.]