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Rule 30.Parties to Suits

Last amended January 1, 1988 · Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 30 lets parties who are not primarily liable on commercial-paper instruments — like assignors and endorsers — be sued together with the principal obligors, or alone where a statute allows.

Full Text of Rule 30

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Assignors, endorsers and other parties not primarily liable upon any instruments named in the chapter of the Business and Commerce Code, dealing with commercial paper, may be jointly sued with their principal obligors, or may be sued alone in the cases provided for by statute.
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Plain-English Summary

Rule 30 addresses who can be sued together on commercial paper. Assignors, endorsers, and other parties not primarily liable on the instruments covered by the Business and Commerce Code's commercial-paper chapter may be joined in one suit with the principal obligors. They may also be sued alone in the cases a statute provides for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you sue an endorser with the principal obligor in Texas?

Yes. Under Rule 30, assignors, endorsers, and others not primarily liable on commercial paper may be sued together with the principal obligors, or sued alone where a statute allows.

What kind of instruments does Rule 30 cover?

Instruments covered by the Business and Commerce Code's commercial-paper chapter, the kind of notes and negotiable instruments assignors and endorsers sign without being primarily liable on them.

Can an endorser be sued without the principal obligor under Rule 30?

Yes, but only in the cases a statute provides for. Otherwise Rule 30 lets the endorser be joined with the principal obligor in one suit.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 30), 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: parties to suitsassignors and endorserscommercial paperjoint suitTRCP 30