The court, in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice, or when separate trials will be conducive to expedition and economy, may order a separate trial of any claim, cross-claim, counterclaim, or third-party claim, or of any separate issue or of any number of claims, cross-claims, counterclaims, third-party claims, or issues.
Mo. R. Civ. P. 66.02
Committee Note - 1974
This is the same as prior Rule 66.02 with the addition of the following clause:
". . . or when separate trials will be conducive to expedition and economy . . ."
Compare: Rule 42(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.