impleader
Very LowFormal, Technical/Legal
Definition
Meaning
The procedural mechanism in law to bring a third party into an existing lawsuit, making them potentially liable to the defendant.
In legal contexts, it refers specifically to the action of a defendant who brings in a new party (the third-party defendant) who may be wholly or partially liable for the plaintiff's claim against the original defendant.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A term exclusive to civil procedure. It denotes both the procedural action and the formal document (the third-party complaint) initiating that action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term and procedure are used in both jurisdictions but are governed by different rules (CPR in England and Wales vs. Federal/State Rules in the US). The concept is fundamentally the same.
Connotations
Purely technical legal procedure; no connotative difference.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both jurisdictions, confined to legal practice and education.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The defendant [impleaded] the supplier.The court allowed [impleader] of the manufacturer.An [impleader] was filed against the subcontractor.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Almost never used; only relevant if discussing specific litigation strategy.
Academic
Used in law schools and legal journals discussing civil procedure.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in legal drafting and court filings related to civil procedure.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The solicitor advised they could implead the architect if the claim proceeded.
- They are seeking permission to implead the subcontractor.
American English
- The defense moved to implead the parts manufacturer.
- We will implead them if the judge allows it.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The impleader application was heard last Tuesday.
- He specialised in impleader jurisdiction.
American English
- The impleader motion was denied without prejudice.
- They reviewed the state's impleader rule.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is a very difficult legal word.
- 'Impleader' is a term used in court cases to bring another person into the lawsuit.
- The defendant's lawyer filed for impleader, arguing the supplier was ultimately responsible for the faulty component.
- The judge granted the impleader, allowing the contractor to pursue indemnity from the subcontractor within the original negligence action.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: IMPLEADER = IMPlicate a third party as a co-leader in liability; you bring them INto the PLEADings.
Conceptual Metaphor
Law as a web of connections; impleader is the act of weaving a new strand (a third party) into the existing legal web.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not simply 'привлечение' (general attraction/involvement).
- Specifically 'привлечение третьего лица (к делу) в качестве ответчика по встречному иску' or 'право на привлечение третьего лица'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'impleader' to mean a person (it's the action/mechanism). The person is the 'third-party defendant'.
- Confusing it with 'interpleader' (a different procedure where a stakeholder forces multiple claimants to litigate among themselves).
- Attempting to use it in non-legal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of impleader?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a technical term exclusive to the field of civil procedure in law.
Impleader is for a defendant to bring in a new party they believe is liable to them. Interpleader is for a neutral party (like a bank) to force multiple claimants to a single asset to litigate against each other.
Typically, no. Impleader is a right usually available to a defendant against a third party not already in the suit. Plaintiffs have other mechanisms like amending the complaint.
Yes, it is a standard term taught in first-year civil procedure courses in common law jurisdictions.