Joinder vs Intervention in Law - What is The Difference?

Last Updated Feb 2, 2025

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Table of Comparison

Aspect Intervention Joinder
Definition A third party voluntarily joins an ongoing lawsuit to protect their interest. Multiple parties or claims consolidated into a single lawsuit from the start.
Purpose To assert rights or interests affected by the lawsuit outcome. To streamline related claims or parties for judicial efficiency.
Initiation Timing After the lawsuit has commenced. At the commencement of the lawsuit.
Types Intervention of right and permissive intervention. Joinder of claims and joinder of parties.
Procedural Requirements Motion or application with court approval. Often part of the initial complaint or answer.
Effect on Parties Adds a new party with interests related to the case. Combines existing parties or claims into one action.
Legal Basis Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 24 (U.S.) Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rules 18 & 20 (U.S.)

Introduction to Intervention and Joinder

Intervention and joinder are procedural mechanisms in civil litigation that allow additional parties to become involved in a lawsuit. Intervention permits a nonparty with a direct interest in the case's outcome to voluntarily join the litigation to protect its rights, governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24. Joinder involves the inclusion of additional parties or claims at the outset or during the litigation to promote judicial efficiency and resolve related disputes simultaneously, typically guided by Rules 19 and 20.

Defining Intervention in Legal Proceedings

Intervention in legal proceedings allows a non-party with a significant interest in a case to join the litigation voluntarily with court approval to protect that interest. This safeguard ensures that the intervenor's rights are directly addressed without initiating separate lawsuits, enhancing judicial efficiency. Intervention is distinct from joinder, which involves parties already named in the original lawsuit or those joined by the court to consolidate related claims.

Understanding the Concept of Joinder

Joinder refers to the legal procedure that allows multiple parties or claims to be combined in a single lawsuit, streamlining the judicial process and promoting efficiency. It typically involves either joinder of parties, where multiple plaintiffs or defendants join together, or joinder of claims, where a party asserts multiple claims in one action. Understanding joinder is essential in procedural law as it helps prevent inconsistent judgments and conserves judicial resources by resolving related issues collectively.

Key Differences Between Intervention and Joinder

Intervention allows a non-party to join an ongoing lawsuit due to a direct interest in the outcome, while joinder involves combining multiple claims or parties into one lawsuit to streamline related issues. Intervention is typically discretionary and requires the intervenor to demonstrate a significant legal interest, whereas joinder is often governed by procedural rules aimed at judicial efficiency. The scope of intervention is narrower, focusing on protecting external rights, whereas joinder encompasses broader consolidation of claims or parties sharing common questions of law or fact.

Legal Basis and Statutory Provisions

Intervention is governed by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24, allowing a non-party to join ongoing litigation to protect their legal interests, whereas joinder is regulated by Rules 19 and 20, which mandate or permit adding parties to ensure complete adjudication and avoid multiple lawsuits. Intervention requires the intervenor to demonstrate interest relating to the subject of the action and potential impairment of that interest without their involvement, while joinder focuses on subject matter and party alignment for efficiency and judicial economy. Statutorily, intervention balances individual rights with judicial efficiency, whereas joinder enforces procedural consolidation under strict criteria to maintain consistency and prevent prejudicial outcomes.

Types of Intervention: Permissive and Mandatory

Intervention in legal proceedings allows a third party to join an ongoing lawsuit, classified as either permissive or mandatory intervention based on the party's interest. Permissive intervention occurs when the intervener has a conditional right to join, often requiring court approval, while mandatory intervention is necessary when the intervener's interest may be impaired if not included, as outlined in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24. Distinguishing between these types impacts case strategy and party rights, influencing the scope and complexity of litigation.

Forms of Joinder: Parties and Claims

Forms of joinder include joinder of parties and joinder of claims, where joinder of parties allows multiple plaintiffs or defendants to be joined in one lawsuit to promote judicial efficiency and avoid multiple trials, following rules outlined in Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 20. Joinder of claims enables a party to combine multiple legal claims against an opposing party in a single action, regardless of whether the claims are related, as long as the court has jurisdiction. Intervention differs as it permits a non-party to join an ongoing lawsuit voluntarily when that party has a direct interest in the outcome, unlike joinder which is initiated by the original parties or the court.

Procedural Requirements for Each Process

Intervention requires a timely motion demonstrating the intervenor's interest related to the subject matter of the case, ensuring no undue delay or prejudice to existing parties. Joinder involves adding new parties or claims that arise from the same transaction or occurrence, subject to rules on jurisdiction, venue, and the potential for avoiding multiple lawsuits. Courts scrutinize both procedures to maintain judicial efficiency while protecting parties' procedural rights and equitable considerations.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Intervention and Joinder

Intervention allows a third party to join an ongoing lawsuit to protect their own interests, offering advantages such as preserving their rights and preventing multiple lawsuits, but it can complicate the case and delay proceedings. Joinder, which combines multiple claims or parties into one lawsuit, streamlines litigation and reduces costs, yet it may create issues with conflicting claims or jury confusion. Both intervention and joinder enhance judicial efficiency but require careful consideration of procedural rules and case complexity to avoid disadvantages.

Practical Implications in Litigation

Intervention allows a third party to join ongoing litigation to protect their interest, potentially altering case dynamics by introducing new claims or defenses that affect the original parties. Joinder involves combining multiple claims or parties in a single lawsuit to promote judicial efficiency and consistent rulings, reducing the risk of conflicting outcomes. Both mechanisms impact case strategy, with intervention often complicating proceedings by expanding issues and joinder streamlining dispute resolution through consolidated claims.

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Joinder vs Intervention in Law - What is The Difference?


About the author. JK Torgesen is a seasoned author renowned for distilling complex and trending concepts into clear, accessible language for readers of all backgrounds. With years of experience as a writer and educator, Torgesen has developed a reputation for making challenging topics understandable and engaging.

Disclaimer.
The information provided in this document is for general informational purposes only and is not guaranteed to be complete. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we cannot guarantee that the details mentioned are up-to-date or applicable to all scenarios. Topics about Intervention are subject to change from time to time.

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