Rule 2231.Effect of joinder; practice in general.

Adopted June 7, 1940 · Last amended May 30, 2001 · Last verified June 30, 2026

In one sentenceRule 2231 sets the general effects of joining parties, including that joinder does not combine separate claims for jurisdictional purposes and that each party retains distinct rights.

Full Text of Rule 2231

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h)

(a) The joinder of parties shall not be deemed to unite for jurisdictional purposes amounts in controversy claimed severally, separately or in the alternative by or against the respective parties plaintiff and defendant.

(b) [Rescinded]

(c) The trial of an action in which parties have joined or have been joined under Rules 2228 and 2229 shall be conducted as if independent actions between such parties had been consolidated for trial.

(d) Except as otherwise provided by these rules, the joinder of parties in any action shall not affect the procedural rights which each party would have if suing or sued separately, and the verdicts and judgments entered therein shall be joint, several or separate according to the nature of the right or liability therein determined.

(e) If two or more defendants are joined under Rule 2229 (d), the plaintiff shall not be permitted to discontinue or enter a nolle prosequi or a voluntary nonsuit as to any defendant primarily liable to the plaintiff unless the plaintiff also does so as to all defendants secondarily liable to the plaintiff for the default of such defendant.

(f) Rescinded.

(g) Rescinded.

(h) Rescinded.

End

Plain-English Summary

Joining parties does not blur their separate claims. This rule sets the general consequences: joinder does not unite, for jurisdictional purposes, amounts claimed severally or separately, and each joined party keeps its own distinct rights and defenses. The case is convenient to try together but remains a set of distinct claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does joining parties combine their claims into one?

No. Joinder does not unite separate claims for jurisdictional purposes; each party keeps its distinct rights.

Official Note

Official Note: Rule 2231(b) was rendered obsolete by the abolition of the County Court of Allegheny County and the former Municipal Court of Philadelphia County by the Constitution of 1968.

Official Note: If in any case in which parties have joined or have been joined as permitted or required by these rules it would be inconvenient or prejudicial to the rights of any party to hold a common trial of all issues, the court, by virtue of its power of severance, may order the separate trial of any of the issues. Pa. R.C.P. No. 213(b).

Official Note: See Rule 226(b) for the entry of a directed verdict and Rule 230.1(b) for the entry of a compulsory nonsuit.

Official Note: See Rule 226(b) for the entry of a directed verdict and Rule 230.1(c) for the entry of a compulsory nonsuit.

Amendment History

The provisions of this Rule 2231 adopted June 7, 1940, effective February 5, 1941; amended June 23, 1975, effective immediately, 5 Pa.B. 1819; amended April 12, 1999, effective July 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 2274; amended May 30, 2001, effective July 1, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 3184. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (255315) to (255316).

Source & verification. Rule text, the Official Note, and the amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Pennsylvania Code, Title 231, the official compilation of rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Last verified June 30, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: effect of joinderjoinder jurisdictionpractice joinder