Court Reporter Practice Exam

What is a third-party defendant (TPD)?

1. A witness in a trial

2. A party being sued

3. A new party brought into the case

4. Someone filing an appeal

The correct answer is: A new party brought into the case

A third-party defendant (TPD) refers to a new party brought into a legal case by an existing defendant. This occurs when the original defendant believes that a third party may be liable for all or part of the damages claimed by the plaintiff. By bringing in this third party, the defendant can seek relief or reduction of liability. In this context, the introduction of a TPD can lead to more comprehensive resolutions of legal disputes by involving all parties who may hold some responsibility or liability. This process not only helps allocate responsibility more accurately but also streamlines the litigation process by addressing all relevant claims within the same case. While a witness in a trial plays a key role by providing testimony, and someone filing an appeal is focusing on challenging a court’s decision after a case has concluded, neither of these definitions applies to the role of a third-party defendant. Similarly, a party being sued would generally refer to the original defendant or plaintiff, rather than someone newly added to the case through the procedural mechanism of a third-party claim.