(1) Persons having claims against the plaintiff may be joined as defendants and required to interplead when their claims are such that the plaintiff is or may be exposed to double or multiple liability. It is not ground for objection to the joinder that the claims of the several claimants or the titles on which their claims depend do not have a common origin or are not identical but are adverse to and independent of one another, or that the plaintiff avers that the plaintiff is not liable in whole or in part to any or all of the claimants. A defendant exposed to similar liability may obtain such interpleader by way of cross-claim or counterclaim. The provisions of this rule supplement and do not in any way limit the joinder of parties permitted in Rule 20. (2) The remedy herein provided is in addition to and in no way supersedes or limits the remedy provided by Title 28, U.S.C., §§ 1335, 1397, and 2361. Actions under those provisions shall be conducted in accordance with these rules.
(As amended Dec. 29, 1948, eff. Oct. 20, 1949; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987.)
added in current removed in current
Compared to current version (2025).
(1)a) Grounds.
(1) By a Plaintiff. Persons havingwith claims against the plaintiff may be joined as defendants and required to interplead when their claims are such that the plaintiff is or may be exposed to double or multiple liability. It is not ground for objection to the joinder thatthat may expose a plaintiff to double or multiple liability may be joined as defendants 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 do not have, lack a common origin or are not identical but are adverse to and independent of one another, or that the plaintiff avers that the plaintiff is not liablerather 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 obtain suchseek interpleader by way ofthrough a cross-claim or counterclaim. The provisions of t
(b) Relation to Other Rules and Statutes. This rule supplement s-and does not in any way limit -the joinder of parties permittallowed inby Rule 20. (2) The remedy hereinthis rule provideds is in addition to -and in no waydoes not supersedes or limits -the remedy provided by Title 28, U.S.C., §§ 1335, 1397, and 2361. An actions under those provisions shall be conducted in accordance withstatutes must be conducted under these rules.
(As amended Dec. 29, 1948, eff. Oct. 20, 1949; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Aug. 1, 1987; Apr. 30, 2007, eff. Dec. 1, 2007.)