In one sentenceRule 1-020 lets multiple plaintiffs or defendants be joined when the claims arise from the same transaction or series of transactions and share a common question of law or fact.
A.Permissive joinder. All persons may join in one action as plaintiffs if they assert any right to relief jointly, severally, or in the alternative in respect of or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences and if any question of law or fact common to all of them will arise in the action. All persons may be joined in one action as defendants if there is asserted against them jointly, severally or in the alternative, any right to relief in respect of or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence or series of transactions or occurrences and if any question of law or fact common to all of them will arise in the action. A plaintiff or defendant need not be interested in obtaining or defending against all the relief demanded. Judgment may be given for one or more of the plaintiffs according to their respective rights to relief, and against one or more defendants according to their respective liabilities.
B.Separate trials. The court may make such orders as will prevent a party from being embarrassed, delayed or put to expense by the inclusion of a party against whom he asserts no claim and who asserts no claim against him, and may order separate trials or make other orders to prevent delay or prejudice.
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Plain-English Summary
This rule allows—but does not require—parties to be grouped in one suit. People may join as plaintiffs, or be joined as defendants, when the claims for or against them arise out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences and share a common question of law or fact. No party need have a stake in every part of the relief, and judgment may be entered for or against individual parties according to their respective rights and liabilities.
To prevent unfairness from grouping, the court may enter orders protecting a party from embarrassment, delay, or expense caused by being lumped with others against whom it has no dispute, including ordering separate trials or other measures to avoid delay or prejudice.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can multiple parties be joined in one lawsuit?
When the claims by or against them arise out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences, and a question of law or fact common to all of them will arise.
Can the court separate joined parties?
Yes. To prevent embarrassment, delay, or expense, the court may order separate trials or make other orders to avoid delay or prejudice.
Source & verification. Rule text and Committee commentary reproduced verbatim from the
New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts (Rule 1-020 NMRA), published by the New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of New Mexico. The plain-English summary is original and draws on the official annotations. Last verified June 26, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:permissive joinder of partiesjoining plaintiffsjoining defendantsmultiple parties