Practice question
Two contract suits have different underlying deliveries but share an important disputed interpretation of the same clause. Counsel objects that no identical factual occurrence exists, so Rule 31 is categorically unavailable. Which is correct?
- The factual occurrences must always be identical.
- Only accident cases may be consolidated.
- Legal questions never matter under Section 1.
- A common legal question can satisfy the stated common-question premise.
- The same clause compels merger regardless of prejudice.
Legal references
- Producers Bank of the Philippines v. Excelsa Industries, Inc., G.R. No. 173820, April 16, 2012, main decision, consolidation forms and remedy for actual merged cases: https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2012/apr2012/gr_173820_2012.html
- Rules of Court, Rules 25-29, interrogatories, admissions, production and physical examination; retained text read with current amendments: https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/rc_1-71_civil.html
- 2019 Amendments to Civil Procedure, Rules 23-34, particularly the current provisions cited in each explanation: https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/am_19-10-20-sc_2019.html
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