Rule 2.206.Permissive Joinder of Parties

Current through May 1, 2026 · Last verified July 6, 2026

In one sentenceRule 2.206 lets multiple plaintiffs sue together, or a plaintiff sue multiple defendants together, whenever their claims share a common question of law or fact or joining them would make the case easier to manage, while letting the court order separate trials to avoid unfair prejudice.

Full Text of Rule 2.206

Text sizeJump to: (A) (B)

(A) Permissive Joinder.

(1) All persons may join in one action as plaintiffs

(a) if they assert a 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 a question of law or fact common to all of the plaintiffs will arise in the action; or

(b) if their presence in the action will promote the convenient administration of justice.

(2) All persons may be joined in one action as defendants

(a) if there is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative, a right to relief in respect of or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences and if a question of law or fact common to all of the defendants will arise in the action; or

(b) if their presence in the action will promote the convenient administration of justice.

(3) A plaintiff or defendant need not be interested in obtaining or defending against all the relief demanded. Judgment may be rendered for one or more of the parties against one or more of the parties as the rights and liabilities of the parties are determined.

(B) Separate Trials. The court may enter orders to prevent a party from being embarrassed, delayed, or put to expense by the joinder of a person against whom the party asserts no claim and who asserts no claim against the party, and may order separate trials or enter other orders to prevent delay or prejudice.

End

Amendment History

Michigan tracks the orders that adopt and amend its Court Rules in a separate administrative record rather than printing a history note beneath each rule in the compiled rules text reproduced here. The text above is verified current through the source’s own May 1, 2026 update; for the full order-by-order history of this rule, see the Michigan Supreme Court’s rules and orders page.

Plain-English Summary

Plaintiffs may join together in one action if they assert a right to relief, jointly, severally, or in the alternative, arising from the same transaction, occurrence, or series of events, and a common question of law or fact runs through all their claims — or if joining them promotes the convenient administration of justice. The same two-part test governs joining multiple defendants. No plaintiff or defendant has to be interested in every bit of relief sought in the case, and judgment can be entered for or against only some of the joined parties, based on each one's own rights and liabilities as the case plays out. If joining everyone together would unfairly embarrass, delay, or burden a party who has no real dispute with a co-party, the court can order separate trials or other relief to prevent that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can several plaintiffs bring one lawsuit together?

Yes, if their claims arise from the same transaction, occurrence, or series of events and share a common question of law or fact, or if joining them would promote the convenient administration of justice.

Can I sue two defendants in the same lawsuit?

Yes, under the same standard: a shared transaction or occurrence plus a common question, or convenience to the court and the parties.

Do all the joined plaintiffs or defendants have to want the same relief?

No. Judgment can be entered for or against only some of the joined parties, based on each one's own rights and liabilities.

Can the court separate the claims if joining everyone causes problems?

Yes. The court can order separate trials or other relief to prevent a party from being delayed, embarrassed, or put to unnecessary expense by the joinder.

Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the official Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.206). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Michigan (Mich. Const. 1963, art. VI, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: permissive joinder Michiganjoining multiple plaintiffs Michiganjoining multiple defendants Michigan