§ Rule 22 Interpleader
Rule 22. Interpleader.
(a) Plaintiff or defendant. 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.
(b) Release from liability; deposit or delivery. Any party seeking interpleader, as provided in subdivision (a) of this rule, may deposit with the court the amount claimed, or deliver to the court or as otherwise directed by the court the property claimed, and the court may thereupon order such party discharged from liability as to such claims, and the action continued as between the claimants of such money or property.
(c) Attorney Fees. Regardless of whether the action was formerly understood to be a bill of interpleader or a bill in the nature of a bill of interpleader, the court may allow to one or more of the parties a reasonable sum or sums for counsel fees and disbursements payable out of said fund or property; but no such allowance shall be made unless it is claimed in a pleading.
(dc) District court rule. Rule 22 applies in the district courts.