Rule 2.205 - Necessary Joinder of Parties(A) Necessary Joinder. Subject to the provisions of subrule (B) and MCR 3.501, persons having such interests in the subject matter of an action that their presence in the action is essential to permit the court to render complete relief must be made parties and aligned as plaintiffs or defendants in accordance with their respective interests.(B) Effect of Failure to Join. When persons described in subrule (A) have not been made parties and are subject to the jurisdiction of the court, the court shall order them summoned to appear in the action, and may prescribe the time and order of pleading. If jurisdiction over those persons can be acquired only by their consent or voluntary appearance, the court may proceed with the action and grant appropriate relief to persons who are parties to prevent a failure of justice. In determining whether to proceed, the court shall consider (1) whether a valid judgment may be rendered in favor of the plaintiff in the absence of the person not joined;(2) whether the plaintiff would have another effective remedy if the action is dismissed because of the nonjoinder;(3) the prejudice to the defendant or to the person not joined that may result from the nonjoinder; and(4) whether the prejudice, if any, may be avoided or lessened by a protective order or a provision included in the final judgment. Notwithstanding the failure to join a person who should have been joined, the court may render a judgment against the plaintiff whenever it is determined that the plaintiff is not entitled to relief as a matter of substantive law.
(C) Names of Omitted Persons and Reasons for Nonjoinder to be Pleaded. In a pleading in which relief is asked, the pleader must state the names, if known, of persons who are not joined, but who ought to be parties if complete relief is to be accorded to those already parties, and must state why they are not joined.