What is the purpose of compulsory joinder of parties in NC civil cases?

• A. To allow the plaintiff to proceed without involving others.
• B. To ensure that all necessary and indispensable parties who could be affected by the outcome are joined.
• C. To restrict the court's jurisdiction.
• D. To simplify service of process.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to bring in everyone who has a significant interest in the case or who would be affected by the court’s judgment. Compulsory joinder makes it mandatory to include those necessary or indispensable parties if it’s feasible to do so, so the court can grant complete relief and protect everyone’s rights in a single action. This prevents prejudice, avoids the risk of inconsistent judgments, and avoids the need for multiple lawsuits later.

So the purpose isn’t to let the plaintiff skip others, nor to limit the court’s authority, nor to make service simpler. It’s about ensuring that all affected parties are involved so the case can be resolved fully and fairly.