Parties to Litigation (Civil Action) - Explained
Who are the Parties to a Legal Action?
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Who are the Parties to a Lawsuit?
A lawsuit involves (or may involve) the following parties and situations:
- Plaintiff
- Defendant
- Counterclaims
- Third-Party Defendants
Each of these situations is explained below.
Next Article: Standing to Sue Return to: CIVIL LITIGATION
Who is a Plaintiff in a Civil Action?
The plaintiff is the party (individual or business) who files the action claiming that she has suffered a wrong at the hands of the defendant.
Basically, the plaintiff is the individual suing or bringing a civil action against someone else.
Discussion Question
Compare the plaintiff in a civil case to the prosecutor in a criminal case. Note: In criminal law, there is no plaintiff. The State (represented by the district attorney, a prosecutor) brings charges against a criminal defendant.
- A plaintiff in a civil suit is the one who has commenced a suit, the person brings a matter where he or she has suffered personal damage. On the other hand, the prosecutor represents the state in the matter. The prosecutor is in charge of the case where one is being accused of having broken the law of the jurisdiction. In a civil case, the burden of proof is a balance of probability (preponderance of the greater weight of evidence or clear and convincing evidence) whereas in a criminal case the prosecutor has to prove the violation of law beyond a reasonable doubt so as to get a conviction for the defendant.
Who is a Defendant in a Civil Action?
The defendant is the party being sued in a civil action.
More specifically, a defendant is a party named by the plaintiff in the formal complaint filed with the court.
Often times, the plaintiff will name multiple defendants.
In some cases, each defendants' conduct may subject her to potential liability independently of other defendants.
In other cases, the collective actions of multiple individuals may subject them to liability collectively.
Discussion Question
Compare the defendant in a civil case to the defendant in a criminal case. Note, in criminal law, the person being prosecuted is also called the defendant.
- The defendant in a civil case faces a potential judgment of liability. In criminal law, the defendant faces the potential for incarceration or criminal fine. For this reason, the burden of proof in a criminal case is far higher than the burden of proof in a civil action.
What is a Counterclaim in Civil Action?
A counterclaim is a claim by a named defendant against the plaintiff.
The defendant alleges that the plaintiff is responsible for some loss or harm she has suffered.
A counterclaim by the defendant against the plaintiff does not have to be related in any way to the claims alleged by the plaintiff against the defendant.
This all happens within the same court case.
In this situation, the defendant or counter-plaintiff is the one bringing the counterclaim against the original plaintiff or counter-defendant.
Discussion Question
What do you think is the benefit for the defendant of allowing him or her to make any claims back against the plaintiff in the legal action? Are there any advantages to the original plaintiff?
- One benefit of a counterclaim to the defendant is that he or she may reduce the extent of damages if she loses on the original claim. That is, it may lead to a set-off and thus disposing of the suit against the defendant. The original plaintiff could be advantaged by disposing of all of the claims between eh parties at once. It can lead to a reputational advantage for the plaintiff. If the defendant sues the plaintiff in a separate action, the later jury may not be exposed to the conduct for which the plaintiff originally sued the defendant. If this information is damning, it would help the original plaintiff in defending against the defendant's counterclaim.
Who is a Third-party Defendant in a Civil Action?
A third-party defendant is a party who is not initially named as a defendant in the plaintiff's complaint but is added to the case by a defendant.
Basically, a defendant makes a claim against a third party alleging that she should be brought into the litigation as a co-defendant.
Discussion Question
Why do you think that the rules of court procedure allow a defendant to add co-defendants to the lawsuit?
- It may be that the original plaintiff has no knowledge of the third-party defendant's involvement. By bringing in the third-party defendant, the defendant is potentially displacing some of the blame or liability. The rules of procedure seek to facilitate the orderly disposition of disputes between parties. Allowing for the inclusion of relevant third parties in this manner facilitates that goal.
Practice Question
David decides to sue Mary for destroying his lawn by pouring plant killer in a pattern spelling an offensive word. Mary was present at the time, but it was actually Mark who poured the chemical on Davids lawn. Mary was involved in the incident because she was angry at David for backing out of his agreement to sell her his car. What options exist for Mary in this situation?
- First, she can enjoin Mark in the case if she so chooses. This could shift liability from her and on to Mark as the perpetrator of the tort. At a minimum, it could lead to shared liability. Also, she may bring a counterclaim against David for breach of contract to sell the car.
Related Topics
- Civil Litigation Procedure (Intro)
- What is a civil lawsuit or civil action?
- Who are the parties to a lawsuit?
- What is standing to sue?
- Venue
- What is personal jurisdiction?
- What is a class action?
- What are the pleadings?
- What is discovery?
- What is the scope of discovery?
- What are motions and how are they used?
- What are frivolous cases?
- Barratry
- What is the process of selecting a jury?
- What are the steps involved in a civil trial?
- What is the burden of proof in a civil trial?
- How is a civil trial decided?
- Adjudication
- Default Judgment
- Stipulated Judgment
- Equitable Defenses
- Equitable Relief
- Doctrine of Clean Hands
- Compensatory Damages
- Punitive Damages
- Replevin
- What is joint and several liability?
- Judgment Proof
- What is the process for appeal?
- Amicus Curiae Brief
- How do parties enforce a civil judgment?
- Levy
- Garnishment
- Writ of Attachment
- Writ of Execution
- Writ of Seizure and Sale
- Sheriff's Sale
- What is res judicata