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Civil procedure

severance of claims

A severance splits a single lawsuit into two or more independent lawsuits, each of which results in an appealable final judgment. When a trial court grants a severance, the separated causes of action typically proceed to individual judgments—judgments that are themselves separately final and appealable. Causes of action that have been severed from each other into independent lawsuits will be heard by different juries.

In Minnesota, the concept of severance in legal proceedings allows a court to split a single lawsuit into two or more separate lawsuits. This is typically done when the court finds that the issues or parties involved are sufficiently distinct that separate trials are warranted. Under Minnesota's Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically Rule 42.02, a court may order a severance of claims or parties on its own or on a motion from either party for convenience, to avoid prejudice, or to expedite and economize the process. Once severed, each cause of action proceeds independently, and the resulting judgments are final and appealable. This means that each case can be heard by a different jury and will follow its own timeline through the court system. Severance can be particularly useful in complex litigation where different legal or factual issues are better resolved separately.

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Civil procedure

severance of claims

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Minnesota State Code

Minnesota State Code

Civil procedure

severance of claims

Articles