RULE 42
               CONSOLIDATION; SEPARATE TRIALS

    (a) Consolidation. When actions involving a common question of law or
fact are pending before the court, it may order a joint hearing or trial of
any or all the matters in issue in the actions; it may order all the
actions consolidated; and it may make such orders concerning proceedings
therein as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs or delay.
    (b) Separate Trials. The court in furtherance of convenience or to
avoid prejudice, or when separate trials will be conducive to expedition
and economy, may order a separate trial of any claim, cross claim,
counterclaim, or third party claim, or of any separate issue or of any
number of claims, cross claims, counterclaims, third party claims, or
issues, always preserving inviolate the right of trial by jury.