Civil Procedure
Severance
Separating claims or parties into different proceedings to avoid unfairness, confusion, or inefficiency.
Governing rule: Fed. R. Civ. P. 21, 42(b)
Plain-English definition
Severance is the opposite move from consolidation. A court can split claims or parties when keeping them together would confuse the jury, prejudice a party, delay resolution, or make the case too unwieldy.
How it works
Severance can create separate trials or separate cases. Courts often use it when claims share some facts but would be unfair or impractical to try together.
Why it matters
A severance order can reshape litigation strategy, discovery scope, settlement posture, and trial risk.
Related terms
More in Civil Procedure
Amended Complaint
A revised complaint that changes, adds, or clarifies allegations, parties, or claims after the original complaint was filed.
Answer
The defendant's formal written response to the plaintiff's complaint, admitting or denying each allegation.
Class Certification
The judicial decision to allow a lawsuit to proceed as a class action on behalf of similarly-situated plaintiffs.
Collateral Estoppel
Also called issue preclusion. The doctrine that prevents re-litigating a specific issue that was actually decided in a prior case.
Complaint
The initial pleading filed by the plaintiff that starts a civil lawsuit.
Consolidation
Combining related cases for coordinated management, discovery, hearings, or trial.
Counterclaim
A claim brought by a defendant against the plaintiff within the same lawsuit.
Crossclaim
A claim by one party against a co-party, such as one defendant suing another defendant in the same case.
Not legal advice. Definitions are for general reference. Consult an attorney before relying on any term in a real case.