Authored by Emmanuel Bassey and Jeremiah Aderinto,
Associates
Introduction
Most, if not all, civil procedure rules in Nigeria provide that
more than one person in whose favour any right to relief is alleged
to exist whether jointly or severally may be joined in an action as
plaintiffs and judgment may be given to such of them as are
entitled to relief. Such persons, when joined together in an action
are referred to as "co-plaintiffs".
As a general rule of practice, co-plaintiffs are represented at
trial by one counsel or group of counsel who conduct their case on
their collective behalf.1 However, sometimes
co-plaintiffs may desire to retain separate legal counsel to
represent their various interests. Disputes have arisen as to
whether such plaintiffs when joined together in an action can
maintain separate legal representation.
