Rule 42 Consolidation; Separate Trials
TITLE VI. TRIALS
Rule Text
(a) CONSOLIDATION.
(1) In General. If actions before the court involve a common question of law or fact, the court may:
(A) join for hearing or trial any or all matters at issue in the actions;
(B) consolidate the actions; or
(C) issue any other orders to avoid unnecessary costs or delay.
(2) Motion Judge. Any motion to consolidate 2 or more civil actions must be decided by the judge on whose calendar appears the oldest assigned case covered by the motion. If the motion is granted, all the consolidated cases must be placed on the calendar of the judge who granted the motion.
(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 right to a jury trial.