Stupid question about FRCP 20 Forum

[musicfor18]

This is a dumb question, but it leads me to confusion when trying figure out 1367(b) and the Allapatah case.

What exactly is and isn't a plaintiff joined under R. 20? If a complain is filed wherein two Ps assert a claim against D, is the second of those Ps "joined under R. 20"? Or does R. 20 only come into play if additional Ps are joined after the Complaint is filed?

[SportsFan]

This is a dumb question, but it leads me to confusion when trying figure out 1367(b) and the Allapatah case.

What exactly is and isn't a plaintiff joined under R. 20? If a complain is filed wherein two Ps assert a claim against D, is the second of those Ps "joined under R. 20"? Or does R. 20 only come into play if additional Ps are joined after the Complaint is filed?

Yes. R20 is the permissive joinder of any parties. Basically, a standard lawsuit is going to be 1 P suing 1 D. Any additional P's or D's are going to have to be joined under R20. My understanding is that then if the court decides (usually through a 12b7 motion AFAIK... someone correct me if I'm wrong) that additional P's or D's MUST be joined, then it would be under R19.

[musicfor18]

Thanks. This is exactly what I thought. Unfortunately, I asked this exact question of my professor, who told me that, if multiple Ps sue together, they are not considered joined under R. 20. Hmmm...