When can the court order separate trials due to party misjoinder?

The court can order separate trials due to party misjoinder particularly when such misjoinder may cause embarrassment or delay in the proceedings. The rationale behind this is that when parties are improperly joined in a single action, it can complicate the issues, create confusion, and lead to inefficiencies in the judicial process. If the court determines that the presence of certain parties or claims together is likely to cause misunderstandings, prejudice, or unnecessary prolongation of the trial, it has the authority to separate the trials.

This approach is in line with the principle of ensuring a fair and expedient trial process, which is essential in civil procedure. Although other factors such as party agreement, individual requests for separate trials, or the nature of the misjoinder may play a role, the key concern for the court is often the potential for embarrassment or delays. This makes option B the most appropriate choice in the context of when a court might intervene to order separate trials due to party misjoinder.