§ RULE 2-503 CONSOLIDATION; SEPARATE TRIALS

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RULE 2-503. CONSOLIDATION; SEPARATE TRIALS

    (a) Consolidation.

        (1) When Permitted. When actions involve a common question of law or fact or a common subject matter, the court, on motion or on its own initiative, may order a joint hearing or trial or consolidation of any or all of the claims, issues, or actions. An action instituted in the District Court may be consolidated with an action pending in a circuit court under the circumstances described in Code, Courts Article, § 6-104(b). The court may enter any order regulating the proceeding, including the filing and serving of papers, that will tend to avoid unnecessary costs or delay.

        (2) Verdict or Judgment. In the trial of a consolidated action, the court may direct that joint or separate verdicts or judgments be entered.

    (b) Separate Trials. In furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice, the court, on motion or on its own initiative, may order a separate trial of any claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, or of any separate issue, or of any number of claims, counterclaims, cross-claims, third-party claims, or issues.

    Source: This Rule is derived as follows:

    Section (a) is derived from former Rule 503, 561, and 606.

    Section (b) is derived from former Rule 501 a.