What is the rule against splitting a cause of action and its effect?

• A. If two or more suits are instituted on the basis of the same cause of action, the filing of one or a judgment upon the merits in any one is available as a ground for the dismissal of the others.
• B. It prohibits filing multiple suits but does not allow dismissal.
• C. It only applies to civil actions involving property.
• D. It requires all suits to be consolidated.

Answer: (A)

Splitting a cause of action is not allowed because a single claim should be resolved in one suit to prevent multiplicity of actions and forum shopping. If two or more suits are filed based on the same cause of action, the progression of one suit to a judgment on the merits, or the filing of a judgment in any one of them, serves as a ground to dismiss the other suits. This guarantees finality and prevents piecemeal litigation.

For example, if someone sues to recover a debt in one case and then separately files another suit for the same debt in a different action, the second suit can be dismissed once one case has progressed or obtained a final judgment on the merits. The rule does not require all suits to be consolidated, and it applies to civil actions broadly (not just those involving property). It also does not say that such suits cannot be filed at all—it says that having multiple suits on the same cause will lead to dismissal of the others when one proceeds to judgment.