Sup. Ct. R. D.C. 42

As amended through October 11, 2024

Rule 42 - Consolidation; Separate Trials

(a) CONSOLIDATION. The court may consolidate domestic relations actions and other cases before the court relating to the same subject matter or parties or members of the same family or household. On consolidation, copies of the consolidation order and all subsequent pleadings and orders must be filed in each consolidated case, except that all papers filed in an adoption case must be maintained only in the adoption case file.

(b) RELATED CASES. When an attorney or party becomes aware of the existence of a related case, he or she must immediately notify, in writing, the judges or magistrate judges on whose calendars the cases appear.

(c) SEPARATE TRIALS. The court may order a separate trial of one or more claims or counterclaims or of any separate issues when it will promote the efficient administration of justice.

Sup. Ct. R. D.C. 42

COMMENT TO 2018 AMENDMENTS

This rule was amended consistent with the stylistic changes made to the civil rules.

COMMENT

Paragraph (a) provides for the consolidation of domestic relations cases and other related cases in the Superior Court. Because a number of factors affect the placement of consolidated Family Division cases on a particular calendar, no attempt is made to set forth the procedure in this Rule.