A party asserting a claim to relief as an original claim, counterclaim, cross claim, or third party claim, may join, either as independent or as alternate claims, as many claims, either legal or equitable, as he has against an opposing party.
Rule 18.01.Independent or alternative claims.
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceAllows a party asserting any claim, whether an original claim, counterclaim, cross claim, or third-party claim, to join as many legal or equitable claims against an opposing party as it has, presented either as independent claims or as alternatives to one another.
Full Text of Rule 18.01
Amendment History
The source reproduced here (current through June 18, 2026) records no amendment to this rule since its original adoption — no History line appears for it in the compiled rules. For the underlying adopting order and any later amendments, see the West’s Rules & Procedures.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 18.01 removes the old restriction that forced a party to pick one theory or one claim per lawsuit. Anyone asserting a claim against an opposing party, whether that claim is an original claim, a counterclaim, a cross claim, or a third-party claim, can pile on every claim it has against that same opponent in one action.
The claims do not need to relate to each other, and they do not need to be consistent. A party can plead claims as independent of one another or as alternatives, meaning it can ask for one form of relief if the facts come out one way and a different form if they come out another way. Legal and equitable claims can sit side by side in the same pleading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring more than one claim against the same defendant in one lawsuit?
Yes. Rule 18.01 lets a party join as many claims, legal or equitable, as it has against an opposing party, whether those claims arise from an original claim, counterclaim, cross claim, or third-party claim.
Can claims be pleaded as alternatives to each other under Kentucky's rules?
Yes. Rule 18.01 permits joining claims either as independent claims or as alternate claims against the same opposing party.
Does joining multiple claims under Rule 18.01 mean they have to be related?
No. The rule does not require the joined claims to share common facts or legal theories; it only requires that they run against the same opposing party.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure (Ky. R. Civ. P. 18.01). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Kentucky (Ky. Const. § 116). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: joinder of claimsmultiple claims one lawsuitalternative claims pleadingjoining counterclaims and cross claimslegal and equitable claims together