9. Multiple Causes of Action, Counterclaims and Other Additional Claims
Joinder, party changes, counterclaims and contribution or other claims against additional parties.
How to study for BSB Civil Litigation
Prepare separately for closed-book recall and open-book application while keeping every step anchored to the exact syllabus version for your sitting.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Claims and parties may be joined where the rules permit efficient determination of connected issues, subject to the court's case-management powers.
Exam cue: Identify the claimant, defendant, proposed additional party and remedy on each claim before selecting the procedure.
Concept 2
Adding or substituting a party after a relevant limitation period requires the specific statutory and CPR conditions rather than ordinary amendment alone.
Exam cue: Check permission, service and limitation separately for every proposed additional claim.
Concept 3
Part 20 distinguishes counterclaims against the claimant from claims against additional parties, including contribution claims and later-party chains.
Exam cue: Ask whether the new dispute should be managed with the main claim or tried separately.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Assuming any connected person can be added after limitation merely because joinder is convenient.
Guardrail: Do not import a rule or commentary paragraph merely because the White Book cross-refers to it; the BSB syllabus expressly defines what is examinable.
Calling every defendant claim a counterclaim even when it is against a non-claimant.
Guardrail: Do not import a rule or commentary paragraph merely because the White Book cross-refers to it; the BSB syllabus expressly defines what is examinable.
Failing to serve an additional claim or to obtain permission when the selected Part 20 route requires it.
Guardrail: Do not import a rule or commentary paragraph merely because the White Book cross-refers to it; the BSB syllabus expressly defines what is examinable.
Memory anchors
Joinder
Multiple parties or claims may proceed together when the rules and efficient case management support it.
Post-limitation party change
Use the special CPR and Limitation Act conditions, not ordinary convenience alone.
Counterclaim
A defendant's affirmative claim against the claimant.
Additional claim
A Part 20 claim may seek contribution, indemnity or another remedy from an additional party.
Map every claim
For each claim identify parties, remedy, permission, limitation, issue and service.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Two claimants have claims arising from the same defective building works, with overlapping evidence. When may they be joined in one claim?
A person is jointly entitled with the claimant to the remedy but refuses to join as claimant. How may the action proceed?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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