A person or enterprise not convicted of the crime of enterprise corruption may be made a party to a civil action under this article, whenever joinder of such person or enterprise is necessary pursuant to section 1001 of this chapter.
§ 1354.Joinder of a party
Article 13-B. Civil Remedies; Enterprise Corruption · Last amended 1986 · Last verified July 21, 2026
In one sentenceCPLR 1354 allows a person or enterprise that was not convicted of enterprise corruption to be added as a party to a civil enterprise corruption case when CPLR 1001's joinder rules make that necessary.
Full Text of CPLR 1354
Plain-English Summary
A civil enterprise corruption case under Article 13-B often can't reach full relief by suing only the convicted defendant. The enterprise itself, or another person tied to it, may hold the assets or licenses the prosecutor wants a court to reach. CPLR 1354 says that person or enterprise -- even though never convicted of the crime -- can be joined as a party to the civil action.
The joinder isn't automatic. It applies only when adding the party is necessary under CPLR 1001, the general rule governing who must be joined for a court to grant complete relief. That keeps the reach of Article 13-B civil actions tied to ordinary joinder practice rather than creating a separate, looser standard for enterprise corruption cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CPLR 1354 allow?
It lets a court add a person or enterprise that was never convicted of enterprise corruption as a party to a civil action under Article 13-B, when doing so is necessary to grant complete relief.
Does CPLR 1354 create its own joinder standard?
No. It cross-references CPLR 1001, the general rule for necessary joinder of parties, rather than setting a separate test for enterprise corruption cases.
Why would a non-convicted enterprise need to be joined under CPLR 1354?
Remedies like divestiture or dissolution under CPLR 1353 often reach an enterprise's assets or structure, so the enterprise itself may need to be a party for the court's order to bind it.
Does CPLR 1354 apply outside enterprise corruption cases?
No. It applies specifically to civil actions brought under Article 13-B, the enterprise corruption remedies article.
Can an uncharged individual be joined under CPLR 1354?
Yes. The section refers to a person or enterprise not convicted, so an individual who was never charged or convicted can be joined if CPLR 1001 requires it.
Amendment History
Add, L 1986, ch 516, § 13, eff Nov 1, 1986.
Source & verification. Provision text, History, and Advisory
Committee Notes are reproduced verbatim from the Consolidated Laws of New York.
Last verified July 21, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: joinder enterprise corruption New YorkCPLR 1354 joinder of a partyadding a party civil RICO New Yorknecessary joinder enterprise corruption