State of Missouri ex rel. Woodco, Inc., Relator Missouri Cases

Woodco, Inc. filed a lawsuit asserting contract and tort claims against several parties involved in a construction project. Certain defendants moved to join the masonry company as a "necessary" party under Rule 52.04(a), which the circuit court granted. Woodco sought a writ of prohibition, arguing the masonry company was not a necessary party. The Supreme Court of Missouri made its preliminary writ of prohibition permanent, holding that the circuit court abused its discretion by ordering joinder because the masonry company was not required for complete relief or to prevent inconsistent obligations among existing parties.