Consolidated Cases Treated Individually for Purposes of Appeal

Courts have the power to consolidate cases that raise common questions of fact or issues of law for many purposes, including to hold a single trial.

But consolidating cases, no matter the purpose, does not destroy the independent cases for appeal, according to a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorneys and judges dealing with consolidated cases will need to remain alert to the possibility that cases initially consolidated will diverge when it comes to entering judgment and taking an appeal.