Civ pro question (rule 20) Forum

[Ineedhelpplease]

I was trying to figure out in a case where a P joins multiple ds under rule 20a2, can d1 then cross claim against d2?

My confusion is twofold:
1. Is rule 20a only available to plaintiffs
2. Is a cross claim ONLY available for original defendants and would defendants joined under rule 20 count as original defendants (in everything I read a cross claim is JUST against co-parties no mention of original and it's permissive)


I currently think that rule 20 is a tool that the p can use at the outset to determine who the parties are going to be and a defendant would then be able to cross claim.

[portaprokoss]

1) My understanding is that 20 is for Ps, but not necessarily original Ps.

2) Cross claims are against a co-party: Ps, Ds, third-party Ds, whatever.

[D'Angelo]

well FRCP 20 is not only for original Ps, because the exception for rule 20 in 28 USC §1367(b) doesn't apply for original Ps? same idea I think for crossclaims...