Rule 22 — Interpleader

Fed. R. Civ. P. 22

• Source: Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
• Rule: 22
• TITLE IV: PARTIES
• Citation: Fed. R. Civ. P. 22

Text

(a) GROUNDS.
(1) By a Plaintiff. Persons with claims that may expose a
plaintiff to double or multiple liability may be joined as de-
fendants and required to interplead. Joinder for interpleader is
proper even though:
(A) the claims of the several claimants, or the titles on
which their claims depend, lack a common origin or are
adverse and independent rather than identical; or
(B) the plaintiff denies liability in whole or in part to
any or all of the claimants.
(2) By a Defendant. A defendant exposed to similar liability
may seek interpleader through a crossclaim or counterclaim.

(b) RELATION TO OTHER RULES AND STATUTES. This rule supple-
ments—and does not limit—the joinder of parties allowed by Rule
20. The remedy this rule provides is in addition to—and does not
supersede or limit—the remedy provided by 28 U.S.C. §§1335, 1397,
and 2361. An action under those statutes must be conducted under
these rules.

Advisory Committee Notes

(As amended Dec. 29, 1948, eff. Oct. 20, 1949; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)