Last amended January 1, 1961 · Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 51 lets a party join as many legal or equitable claims as it has against an opposing party, with multi-party and cross- or third-party joinder allowed when the related joinder rules are met.
(a)Joinder of Claims. The plaintiff in his petition or in a reply setting forth a counterclaim and the defendant in an answer setting forth a counterclaim may join either as independent or as alternate claims as many claims either legal or equitable or both as he may have against an opposing party. There may be a like joinder of claims when there are multiple parties if the requirements of Rules 39, 40, and 43 are satisfied. There may be a like joinder of cross claims or third-party claims if the requirements of Rules 38 and 97, respectively, are satisfied.
(b)Joinder of Remedies. Whenever a claim is one heretofore cognizable only after another claim has been prosecuted to a conclusion, the two claims may be joined in a single action; but the court shall grant relief in that action only in accordance with the relative substantive rights of the parties. This rule shall not be applied in tort cases so as to permit the joinder of a liability or indemnity insurance company, unless such company is by statute or contract directly liable to the person injured or damaged.
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Plain-English Summary
Rule 51 governs combining claims in one suit. A plaintiff, or a defendant asserting a counterclaim, may join as many claims — legal or equitable, independent or alternative — as it has against an opposing party. The same joinder is available among multiple parties when Rules 39, 40, and 43 are satisfied, and for cross-claims and third-party claims when Rules 38 and 97 are met.
The rule also allows joinder of remedies that once had to be pursued one after another, though the court grants relief according to the parties' substantive rights. As in third-party practice, a tort case cannot use the rule to join a liability or indemnity insurer unless that insurer is directly liable to the injured person by statute or contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you bring several claims in one Texas lawsuit?
Yes. Rule 51 lets a party join as many legal or equitable claims as it has against an opposing party. Multi-party, cross-, and third-party joinder follow Rules 39, 40, 43, 38, and 97.
Can you join claims that must be decided one after the other?
Yes. Rule 51(b) lets a party join in one action a claim that was once cognizable only after another claim had been prosecuted to a conclusion, though the court grants relief according to the parties' actual substantive rights.
Can a tort plaintiff use Rule 51 to join the defendant's liability insurer?
Not usually. Rule 51(b) bars using the rule to join a liability or indemnity insurer in a tort case unless the insurer is directly liable to the injured person by statute or contract.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 51), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:joinder of claims and remediesjoinder of claimsjoining claimsTRCP 51