Joint and Several Liability
/ˈdʒɔɪnt ænd ˈsɛvrəl laɪˈbɪlɪti/
Definitions
- (n.) A legal doctrine under which each party involved in an obligation is individually responsible for the entire debt or damage, as well as collectively with the others.
Under joint and several liability, the plaintiff can recover the full amount of damages from any one of the defendants.
Related terms
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Commentary
Often arises in tort and contract cases; careful drafting can clarify allocation of fault and payment among parties.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.