Permissive Joinder - Of The Parties To Civil Actions - Civil Procedure - CA

Section § 378

This law allows multiple people to join together as plaintiffs in a single lawsuit if they are seeking to resolve issues stemming from the same event or series of events, and there is a shared question of law or fact among them. They can also join if they have opposing interests to the defendant regarding the property or issue at hand. Importantly, not every plaintiff needs to be involved in every part of the case or seek the same outcome; the court can provide judgments that address each plaintiff's specific claims.

(a) All persons may join in one action as plaintiffs if:

(1) 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; or

(2) They have a claim, right, or interest adverse to the defendant in the property or controversy which is the subject of the action.

(b) It is not necessary that each plaintiff be interested as to every cause of action or as to all relief prayed for. Judgment may be given for one or more of the plaintiffs according to their respective right to relief.

joint plaintiffs shared transaction common question ...

Section § 379

This law explains when multiple people can be sued together in one lawsuit. Basically, you can sue several people if your claim against them is related to the same event or series of events, and there's a common legal or factual issue involved. Also, if there's a property or issue that involves all the defendants, they can be joined in one case. Importantly, each defendant doesn't have to be involved in every part of the claim. You can get a judgment against those who are liable. If you're not sure who's responsible, you can sue multiple people, and let the court sort out who owes what.

(a) All persons may be joined in one action as defendants if there is asserted against them:

(1) 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; or

(2) A claim, right, or interest adverse to them in the property or controversy which is the subject of the action.

(b) It is not necessary that each defendant be interested as to every cause of action or as to all relief prayed for. Judgment may be given against one or more defendants according to their respective liabilities.

(c) Where the plaintiff is in doubt as to the person from whom he or she is entitled to redress, he or she may join two or more defendants, with the intent that the question as to which, if any, of the defendants is liable, and to what extent, may be determined between the parties.

multiple defendants jointly liable severally liable ...

Section § 379.5

This law allows the court to make decisions about the joined parties in a case to ensure fairness. If it seems like any party might face unnecessary embarrassment, delays, or extra costs, the court can decide to hold separate trials or take other actions as needed.

When parties have been joined under Section 378 or 379, the court may make such orders as may appear just to prevent any party from being embarrassed, delayed, or put to undue expense, and may order separate trials or make such other order as the interests of justice may require.

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Section § 382

This law allows someone who should be a plaintiff in a lawsuit to be made a defendant if they don't agree to join as a plaintiff. The complaint must explain why this is needed. Additionally, if a case involves a common interest among lots of people and it's too difficult to involve everyone, a few people can represent the whole group in the lawsuit.

If the consent of any one who should have been joined as plaintiff cannot be obtained, he may be made a defendant, the reason thereof being stated in the complaint; and when the question is one of a common or general interest, of many persons, or when the parties are numerous, and it is impracticable to bring them all before the court, one or more may sue or defend for the benefit of all.

consent to join lawsuit plaintiff becoming defendant common interest lawsuit ...

Section § 382.4

In a class action case, if a settlement involves giving money or something of value to someone who isn't directly part of the lawsuit, any lawyer involved must inform the court if they have a relationship with that recipient. This is important to ensure there isn't any conflict of interest or appearance of it that could suggest unfairness in choosing who gets these benefits.

If a proposed settlement in a class action established pursuant to Section 382, including a consent judgment, decree, or settlement agreement, provides for the distribution of money or any other thing of value to a person or entity that is not a party to the action, an attorney for a party to the action shall, in connection with the hearing for preliminary approval pursuant to subdivision (c) of Rule 3.769 of the California Rules of Court, notify the court if the attorney has a connection to or a relationship with a nonparty recipient of the distribution that could reasonably create the appearance of impropriety as between the selection of the recipient of the money or thing of value and the interests of the class.

class action settlement distribution to nonparty conflict of interest ...

Section § 384

This law states that any leftover or unclaimed money from a class action lawsuit in California should be used for good causes. The court has to make sure the money helps fulfill the goals of the lawsuit or serves the public good in California. The funds should go to nonprofit organizations or projects that benefit the people involved in the lawsuit or address similar issues. This rule doesn't apply to lawsuits against government bodies or employees. However, there may still be options to use these leftover funds in meaningful ways, known as cy pres remedies, even in those cases.

(a) It is the policy of the State of California to ensure that the unpaid cash residue and unclaimed or abandoned funds in class action litigation are distributed, to the fullest extent possible, in a manner designed either to further the purposes of the underlying class action or causes of action, or to promote justice for all Californians. The Legislature finds that the use of funds for these purposes is in the public interest, is a proper use of the funds, and is consistent with essential public and governmental purposes.

(b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), before the entry of a judgment in a class action established pursuant to Section 382 that provides for the payment of money to members of the class, the court shall determine the total amount that will be payable to all class members if all class members are paid the amount to which they are entitled pursuant to the judgment. The court shall also set a date when the parties shall report to the court the total amount that was actually paid to the class members. After the report is received, the court shall amend the judgment to direct the defendant to pay the sum of the unpaid residue or unclaimed or abandoned class member funds, plus any interest that has accrued thereon, to nonprofit organizations or foundations to support projects that will benefit the class or similarly situated persons, or that promote the law consistent with the objectives and purposes of the underlying cause of action, to child advocacy programs, or to nonprofit organizations providing civil legal services to the indigent. The court shall ensure that the distribution of any unpaid residue or unclaimed or abandoned class member funds derived from multistate or national cases brought under California law shall provide substantial or commensurate benefit to California consumers. For purposes of this subdivision, “judgment” includes a consent judgment, decree, or settlement agreement that has been approved by the court.

(c) This section shall not apply to any class action brought against any public entity, as defined in Section 811.2 of the Government Code, or against any public employee, as defined in Section 811.4 of the Government Code. However, this section shall not be construed to abrogate any equitable cy pres remedy that may be available in any class action with regard to all or part of the cash residue or unclaimed or abandoned class member funds.

class action lawsuits unpaid cash residue unclaimed funds ...

Section § 384.5

This law says that if a decision or settlement in a class action case involves giving money or anything valuable to someone who isn't directly involved in the case, the court must send copies of the order or settlement to the Judicial Council. This document has to include enough information for the California Research Bureau to complete their reporting duties.

If a judgment in a class action established pursuant to Section 382, including a consent judgment, decree, or settlement agreement that has been approved by a court, provides for a distribution of money or any other thing of value to a person or entity that is not a party to the action, the court shall transmit a copy of the order, judgment, or decree to the Judicial Council. The order, judgment, or decree shall contain, at a minimum, the information necessary for the California Research Bureau to complete the report required by Section 68520 of the Government Code.

class action distribution non-party recipient court-approved settlement ...