Group IV: Parties · Last amended March 1, 2017 · Last verified July 14, 2026
In one sentenceRule 22 lets a party facing competing claims to the same money or property force the rival claimants into one lawsuit through interpleader, even if their claims aren't identical or the party denies owing anything.
(1)By a Plaintiff. — Persons with claims that may expose a plaintiff to double or multiple liability may be joined as defendants and required to interplead. Joinder for interpleader is proper even though:
(A)the claims of the several claimants, or the titles on which their claims depend, lack a common origin or are adverse and independent rather than identical; or
(B)the plaintiff denies liability in whole or in part to any or all of the claimants.
(2)By a Defendant. — A defendant exposed to similar liability may seek interpleader through a crossclaim or counterclaim.
(b)Relation to Other Rules. — This rule supplements — and does not limit — the joinder of parties allowed by Rule 20.
Amendment History
Added February 2, 2017, effective March 1, 2017.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 22 addresses the bind a party faces when more than one person claims the same money or property and paying one claimant risks a second lawsuit from another. Through interpleader, that party can join all the rival claimants as defendants and let the court sort out who holds the winning claim. This works even when the claimants' theories come from different sources, conflict with one another, or when the party bringing the action denies owing anything to anyone.
A defendant already facing a lawsuit can use the same tool, raising interpleader through a crossclaim or counterclaim rather than starting a new case. Rule 22 doesn't replace the general joinder rules in Rule 20 — it adds another option alongside them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is interpleader and when would someone use it?
Interpleader lets a party facing competing claims to the same money or property force the rival claimants into a single lawsuit, so the court decides who is entitled to it instead of the party risking multiple lawsuits over the same fund.
Do the competing claims have to be identical to use interpleader?
No. Interpleader works even when the claims or the titles behind them come from different sources or conflict with each other.
Can I use interpleader if I do not think I owe anyone anything?
Yes. A party can use interpleader even while denying liability, in whole or in part, to any or all of the claimants.
Can a defendant already in a lawsuit use interpleader?
Yes. A defendant facing similar exposure to double or multiple liability can raise interpleader through a crossclaim or counterclaim.
How does Rule 22 relate to Rule 20's joinder rules?
Rule 22 adds another route for joining claimants — it supplements Rule 20's general joinder rules rather than limiting them.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Wyoming. Last verified July 14, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:interpleader wyomingcompeting claims same fundstakeholder lawsuit ruledouble liability joinder