Why is the timing of joinder significant in litigation?

The timing of joinder is significant in litigation primarily because it can impact subject matter jurisdiction. Subject matter jurisdiction refers to the court's authority to hear the type of case being presented. When parties are joined to a lawsuit, especially if they are from different jurisdictions or if additional claims are being brought in, it is important to consider whether the court still maintains jurisdiction over all parties and claims involved.

For example, if a plaintiff wishes to join a party from a different state after the initial case has started, it may change the jurisdictional landscape and could result in the case needing to be moved to a different court if it no longer satisfies the requirements for diversity jurisdiction or fails to meet the criteria for supplemental jurisdiction.

Thus, the timing of joinder is critical because an untimely or improper joinder can lead to complications regarding the court's ability to adjudicate the claims effectively and may potentially result in the dismissal of certain claims or parties. This reinforces the necessity of understanding how and when to join parties and claims to ensure that the litigation proceeds smoothly within the proper jurisdictional framework.