Interpleader
A way for a holder of property to initiate a suit between two or more claimants to the property. If, for example, A holds property that he knows he does not own, but that both B and C are claiming, A can sue both B and C in an interpleader action, where B and C could litigate who actually owns the property. Interpleader avoids the problem of A being sued separately by both B and C, and potentially losing the same piece of property twice.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
A court case between two parties who both claim the right to money from a third party, when the third party agrees the money is owed but doesn't know to whom. The debtor deposits the funds with the court ("interpleads"), asks the court to be dismissed from the lawsuit, and lets the court decide who gets the money. Compare: impleader
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:18 pm
