Rule 20(a)

(a) Parties who may be joined.

• Plaintiffs. persons may join in on eaction as plaintiffs if:

  • they assert any right to relief joinely, severally, or in the alternative with respect to or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences; and

  • any question of law or fact to all plaintiffs will arise in the action.

• Defendants. Persons—as well as vessel, cargo, or other property subject to the admiralty process in rem—may be joined in one action as defendants if:

  • any right to releief is asserted against them jointly, severally, or in the alternative with respect to or arising out of the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences; and

  • any questions of law or fact common to all defendants will arise in the action.

• Extent of Relief. Neither a plaintiff nor a defendant need be interested in obtaining or defending against all the relief demanded. The court may grant judgment to one or more plaintiffs according to their rights, and against one or more defendants according to their liabilities.

(b) Protective Measures. The court may issue orders—including an order for separate trials—to protect a party against embarrassment, delay, expense, or other prejudice that arises from including a person against whom the party asserts no claim and who asserts no claim against the party.