Can you combine two civil complaints into one single complaint?

Answer 1

Yes, if certain facts apply: First, If the two complaints are against the same defendant but arise from separate incidents you may even be required to file the two claims in one complaint. Courts do not want to be bothered by one complaint on one subject then another on the other when the same two defendants are before the court. In some courts, failure to file both claims together might result in the claim agasint the defendant that was not joined being forfeited. Second, if the two complaints are against two different defendants but arise out of the same incident, you probably are required to file them in one complaint. This is also to prevent a waste of time trying two cases when they can be done in one. Again, the claim against the defendant who was left out might be forfeited for not being included. Third: If the complaints are against separate defendants arising out of separate acts, then you will not be able to file one complaint. Unless there is some common issue, it makes no sense to try them together.