What is a third-party action in civil procedure?

A third-party action in civil procedure refers to a situation where a defendant in a lawsuit brings in another party who may share liability for the claims being made against them. This mechanism allows the original defendant to assert that another party (the third-party defendant) is, in fact, responsible for the harm or damages claimed by the plaintiff. This is crucial in ensuring that all parties potentially liable for the plaintiff's claims are included in the litigation, allowing for a more comprehensive resolution of the issues at hand and avoiding multiple lawsuits over the same matter.

By initiating a third-party action, the defendant can seek contribution or indemnification from the third party, effectively managing their own liability. This process is an important aspect of civil litigation because it promotes judicial efficiency and helps clarify liability issues among all parties involved in a case.

In contrast, the other options relate to different procedures not connected to the concept of third-party actions. For instance, appealing a decision refers to challenging a court's ruling in a higher court, extending the time for filing pleadings relates to procedural deadlines, and requesting a bill of particulars is about obtaining detailed information in a pleading, none of which addresses the idea of bringing in an additional potentially liable party into a lawsuit.