Opinion ID: 1935139
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Separation of defendants' counterclaim.

Text: Rule 42.02, Rules of Civil Procedure, allows the trial court to order a separate trial of a counterclaim in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice, or when separate trials will be conducive to expedition and economy   . That portion of the order granting the leave to amend the answer which concerned separation of the trial of the counterclaim was based upon prejudice to plaintiffs and avoidance of delay. The record indicates that plaintiffs' attorney would have asked for additional discovery on the counterclaim and that the defendants had ample time to bring the counterclaim. Defendants' attorney stated that he found out about the facts underlying the claim at least one month earlier. In deciding to order separate trials the court has wide discretion and should not be reversed except for an abuse of discretion. 2 Hetland & Adamson, Minnesota Practice, p. 215. [12] The additional delay which would have been caused by failing to order separate trials appears to be within the reasons contemplated by the rule. Although it might have been preferable to try all aspects of this case in one lawsuit, under the facts we find no abuse of discretion.