Rule 20 - Permissive Joinder of Parties(a)Permissive Joinder. All persons may join in one action as plaintiffs if they assert any 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 any question of law or fact common to all these persons will arise in the action. All persons may be joined in one action as defendants if there is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative, any right to relief in respect of or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences and if any question of law or fact common to all defendants will arise in the action. A plaintiff or defendant need not be interested in obtaining or defending against all the relief demanded. Judgment may be given for one or more of the plaintiffs according to their respective rights to relief, and against one or more defendants according to their respective liabilities.(b)Separate Trials. The court may make such orders as will prevent a party from being embarrassed, delayed, or put to expense by the inclusion of a party against whom he asserts no claim and who asserts no claim against him and may order separate trials or make other orders to prevent delay or prejudice.Reporter's Notes to Rule 20:
1. Rule 20 basically tracks prior Arkansas law. Section 20(a) is identical to superseded Ark. Stat. Ann. § 27-806 (Repl. 1962) which was taken from FRCP 20. Omitted from this rule is the reference in the Federal Rule to admiralty actions; otherwise, the two sections are identical.
2. Section 20(b) is identical to superseded Ark. Stat. Ann. § 27-807 (Repl. 1962) and FRCP 20(b). Overall, Rule 20 works no changes in Arkansas practice and procedure.