As to some parties only. Where the action involves two or more parties, the court may,

in its discretion, and though it has jurisdiction of them all, render judgment for or against some of them only, whenever the prevailing party would have been entitled thereto had the action involved the prevailing party alone, or whenever a several judgment is proper; leaving the action to proceed as to the other parties. [Report 1943; October 31, 1997, effective January 24, 1998; November 9, 2001, effective February 15, 2002]