(a) Grounds.(1)By a Plaintiff. Persons with claims that may expose a plaintiff to double or multiple liability may be joined as defendants and required to interplead. Joinder for interpleader is proper even though:(A) the claims of the several claimants, or the titles on which their claims depend, lack a common origin or are adverse and independent rather than identical; or(B) the plaintiff denies liability in whole or in part to any or all of the claimants.(2)By a Defendant. A defendant exposed to similar liability may seek interpleader through a crossclaim or counterclaim.(b) Relation to Other Rules. This rule supplements- and does not limit-the joinder of parties allowed by Rule 20.Amended September 25, 2023, effective 9/25/2023.Comment
In 2023, Rule 22 was revised to align its language to the extent possible with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 22 so that authorities interpreting the federal rule could be cited more easily as persuasive authority for the interpretation of Rule 22.
No substantive change in the interpretation of the rule was intended, and prior Delaware authorities interpreting the rule remain applicable.
The revision deletes prior subpart (b) as unnecessary.