Philippine Bar review · Question

Practice question: Consolidation or Severance (Rule 31)

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Practice question

Explain Rule 31’s common-question consolidation authority and the considerations that prevent it from being an automatic right to combine any related cases.

Legal references

  • https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/rc_1-71_civil.html — Rule 31 sections 1–2, consolidation, joint hearing and separate trials.
  • https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/am_19-10-20-sc_2019.html — 2019 amendments retaining Rule 31 without amendment.
  • https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2012/apr2012/gr_173820_2012.html — Producers Bank v. Excelsa Industries, G.R. No. 173820, April 16, 2012, main decision distinguishing forms and effects of consolidation.
  • https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2009/jun2009/gr_183211_2009.html — PNB v. Gotesco Tyan Ming Development, G.R. No. 183211, June 5, 2009, jurisdiction and protection against prejudice in consolidation.

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