—Consolidation of Actions

(a) Whenever there are two or more separate actions which should be tried together, the judicial authority may, upon the motion of any party or upon its own motion, order that the actions be consolidated for trial. (b) If a party seeks consolidation, the motion to consolidate shall be filed in all of the court files include the proposed to be consolidated, shall docket number and judicial district of each of the cases, and shall contain a certification specifically stating that the motion was served in accordance with Sections 10-12 through 10-17 on all parties to such actions. The certification shall specifically recite the name and address of each counsel and self-represented party served, the date of such service and the name and docket number of the case in which that person has appeared. The mov- ing party shall give reasonable notice to all such parties of the date on which the motion will be heard on short calendar. The judicial authority shall not consider the motion unless it is satisfied that such notice was given. (c) The court files in any actions consolidated pursuant to this section shall be maintained as separate files and all documents submitted by coun- sel or the parties shall bear only the docket num- ber and case title of the file in which it is to be filed. (P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 84A.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999.)