What is a third-party action?
Answer
The Court Help Legal Glossary provides these definitions for third-party actions:
Third party: A party to an action who is not the original plaintiff or defendant.
Third-party action: When a defendant in a case sues another party and brings him or her into the case.
Article 10, Parties Generally of the Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) contains these provisions on third party practice:
§ 1007. When Third-Party Practice Allowed
§ 1008. Answer of Third-Party Defendant; Defenses
§ 1009. Claim by Plaintiff Against Third-Party Defendant
§ 1010. Dismissal or Separate Trial of Third-Party Complaint
§ 1011. Successive Third-Party Proceedings; Counterclaims