Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: casus fortuitus
Intervene: When someone who was not originally part of a lawsuit wants to join in because they have a personal interest in the outcome, they can file a motion to intervene. This person is called an intervenor. They can join the side of the person suing or the person being sued, or they can be against both. There are two types of intervention: one where the person has a right to join, and one where the court can allow them to join if it won't cause problems for the original parties.
Definition: To become involved in a lawsuit as a third party who was not originally named in the case but has a personal interest in the outcome.
For example, if a company is being sued for polluting a river, a local environmental group may want to intervene in the case to make sure their interests are represented.
There are two types of intervention: intervention as of right and permissive intervention. Intervention as of right is when the third party has an unconditional right to enter the litigation based on a statute or when the third party may be bound by the outcome of the case without their interests being adequately represented. In permissive intervention, the court may permit a third party to intervene if the party’s claim shares a common question of law or fact with the existing case and it will not delay the lawsuit or prejudice the original parties’ rights.
Overall, intervention allows a third party to become involved in a lawsuit to protect their interests and ensure that their voice is heard in the legal process.