Can multiple plaintiffs sue together?

Published on 03/07/2026  |  By Lyu, Attorney-at-Law (PRC)

For foreign buyers dealing with suppliers in Linyi, the local commercial and industrial environment can be relevant when assessing supplier risk. Linyi is an important commercial and manufacturing center in Shandong with strong wholesale and industrial supply chains. This local context can help a buyer determine what should be checked during due diligence, contracting, evidence preservation and dispute resolution.

Can multiple plaintiffs sue the same defendant at the same time? According to Article 55 of the Civil Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China, if there are two or more plaintiffs, and the subject matter of the action is the same or of the same kind, the plaintiffs may file a joint action.
There are two scenarios here. The first is that the subject matter is the same, such as in inheritance disputes, joint tort disputes, or partnership debt disputes. In such disputes, the subject matter is likely to be the same, and the court shall consolidate the trials.
The second scenario is that the subject matter is of the same kind, in which case the court may consolidate the trial.
In a joint action, if there are more than ten plaintiffs, two to five plaintiffs may be elected as litigation representatives to participate in the litigation. Legal acts performed by litigation representatives during the proceedings, such as settlement or withdrawal of the lawsuit, shall affect the other represented plaintiffs.
However, Attorney Lyu would like to remind you that there is often a big gap between theory and practice. In many courts in China, the case-filing division does not allow multiple plaintiffs to sue the same defendant together. As for why the case-filing division does so, that is left for you to think about.
I am Qiang Lyu, a PRC lawyer. If you like my video, please subscribe to my channel.

Supplier and Industry Context in Linyi

Businesses in Linyi are active in wood products, building materials, machinery and wholesale trade. Depending on the transaction, foreign buyers may encounter quality disputes, quantity disputes, delivery problems and payment disputes. For wholesale, building-materials, wood-product and machinery transactions, buyers should pay particular attention to product specifications, quantities, inspection records, delivery arrangements and the identity of the actual contracting supplier.

Linyi is part of Shandong and benefits from a broad wholesale and manufacturing network serving domestic and export markets. These characteristics provide commercial context, but they do not by themselves determine the legal outcome of a particular dispute.

Legal Considerations for Buyers in Linyi

If a dispute has arisen with a supplier in Linyi, the buyer should normally establish the supplier’s legal identity, review the governing contract and preserve payment, shipping, inspection and communication records before taking further action. The appropriate strategy depends on the facts of the individual transaction and the available remedies.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and legal procedures may vary depending on the specific facts and applicable jurisdiction. No lawyer-client relationship is created by reading this article or contacting us through this website. For advice regarding a specific matter, please consult a qualified lawyer after a formal engagement has been established.

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