RULE 31

Consolidation or Severance

Section 1. Consolidation. — When actions involving a common question of law or fact are pending
before the court, it may order a joint hearing or trial of any or all the matters in issue in the actions; it
may order all the actions consolidated, and it may make such orders concerning proceedings therein
as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs or delay. (1)

Section 2. Separate trials. — The court, in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice, may
order a separate trial of any claim, cross-claim, counterclaim, or third-party complaint, or of any
separate issue or of any number of claims, cross-claims, counterclaims, third-party complaints or
issues. (2a)

RULE 32

Trial by Commissioner

Section 1. Reference by consent. — By written consent of both parties, the court may order any or
all of the issues in a case to be referred to a commissioner to be agreed upon by the parties or to be
appointed by the court. As used in these Rules, the word "commissioner" includes a referee, an
auditor and an examiner. (1a, R33)

Section 2. Reference ordered on motion. — When the parties do not consent, the court may, upon
the application of either or of its own motion, direct a reference to a commissioner in the following
cases:

(a) When the trial of an issue of fact requires the examination of a long account on either
side, in which case the commissioner may be directed to hear and report upon the whole
issue or any specific question involved therein;

(b) When the taking of an account is necessary for the information of the court before
judgment, or for carrying a judgment or order into effect.

(c) When a question of fact, other than upon the pleadings, arises upon motion or otherwise,
in any stage of a case, or for carrying a judgment or order into effect. (2a, R33)