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 Vermont, the concept of severance in legal proceedings allows a court to split a single lawsuit into two or more separate lawsuits, each resulting in its own final and appealable judgment. This procedural mechanism is typically governed by the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure, which provide the framework for the severance and separate trials of claims, issues, or defendants in a civil action. When a severance is granted by a trial court, the causes of action that have been divided are treated as distinct lawsuits and may proceed to trial independently, potentially with different juries. The purpose of severance is often to promote judicial efficiency, avoid prejudice, or accommodate convenience. Each severed case is treated as an individual action for the purposes of trial and appeal, meaning that final judgments in these cases can be appealed separately. It is important for parties considering or facing a severance to consult with an attorney to understand the implications for their specific case, including the potential for separate trials and appeals.