Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 1147

Date/Time: 08-17-01 13:25:22
Job: 529RUL

Unit: U3CV

Pagination Table: RULES1

RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

1161

Rule 14. Third-party practice.

(a) When defendant may bring in third party.—At any
time after commencement of the action a defending party, as
a third-party plaintiff, may cause a summons and complaint
to be served upon a person not a party to the action who is
or may be liable to the third-party plaintiff for all or part of
the plaintiff ’s claim against the third-party plaintiff. The
third-party plaintiff need not obtain leave to make the serv-
ice if the third-party plaintiff ﬁles the third-party complaint
not later than 10 days after serving the original answer.
Otherwise the third-party plaintiff must obtain leave on mo-
tion upon notice to all parties to the action. The person
served with the summons and third-party complaint, herein-
after called the third-party defendant, shall make any de-
fenses to the third-party plaintiff ’s claim as provided in Rule
12 and any counterclaims against the third-party plaintiff
and cross-claims against other third-party defendants as pro-
vided in Rule 13. The third-party defendant may assert
against the plaintiff any defenses which the third-party
plaintiff has to the plaintiff ’s claim. The third-party defend-
ant may also assert any claim against the plaintiff arising out
of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of
the plaintiff ’s claim against the third-party plaintiff. The
plaintiff may assert any claim against the third-party defend-
ant arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the
subject matter of the plaintiff ’s claim against the third-party
plaintiff, and the third-party defendant thereupon shall as-
sert any defenses as provided in Rule 12 and any counter-
claims and cross-claims as provided in Rule 13. Any party
may move to strike the third-party claim, or for its severance
or separate trial. A third-party defendant may proceed
under this rule against any person not a party to the action
who is or may be liable to the third-party defendant for all or
part of the claim made in the action against the third-party
defendant. The third-party complaint, if within the admi-
ralty and maritime jurisdiction, may be in rem against a ves-
sel, cargo, or other property subject to admiralty or maritime