Maryland Motion for Leave to File Third Party Complaint In the state of Maryland, a Motion for Leave to File Third Party Complaint is a legal document submitted to the court requesting permission to bring a third party into a lawsuit. This motion is typically filed by the defendant who seeks to shift some or all of the liability onto a party not initially involved in the lawsuit. By filing a third party complaint, the defendant aims to assert that the third party should be held accountable for all or part of the damages claimed by the plaintiff. The process begins with the defendant filing a Motion for Leave to File Third Party Complaint, in which they outline the reasons and justifications for involving a third party. This motion must provide a detailed explanation of why the third party's inclusion is necessary for a fair and just resolution of the case. In Maryland, there are different types of Motion for Leave to File Third Party Complaint that can be filed, each with its own specific purpose: 1. Indemnity Claim: This type of motion is filed when the defendant believes that the third party is ultimately responsible for any damages awarded by the court. By bringing the third party into the lawsuit, the defendant seeks to secure indemnity from them, meaning that if the defendant is found liable, the third party will be legally obligated to cover the damages awarded to the plaintiff. 2. Contribution Claim: If the defendant believes that the third party shares a portion of responsibility for the plaintiff's injuries or losses, they may file a motion seeking a contribution claim. This means that if the defendant is found liable, the third party should be held responsible for paying a portion of the damages in proportion to their share of fault. 3. Agency or Vicarious Liability Claim: In certain situations, the defendant may argue that they were acting as an agent or employee of the third party at the time of the incident, and therefore, the third party should be held fully or partially responsible for the plaintiff's harm. This type of motion seeks to establish a relationship of agency or vicarious liability between the defendant and the third party. 4. Indispensable Party Claim: In some cases, the defendant may assert that the third party is an indispensable party to the lawsuit. This usually occurs when the defendant believes that complete resolution of the case cannot be achieved without the presence of the third party. By filing a motion on this claim, the defendant seeks to demonstrate that the third party's involvement is crucial to obtain a fair and just outcome. It is important to note that filing a Motion for Leave to File Third Party Complaint does not guarantee the court's permission to involve a third party in the lawsuit. The court will evaluate the motion based on its merits, considering factors such as timeliness, relevance, necessity, and fairness to all parties involved. Ultimately, the court will decide whether to grant or deny the motion, and the case will proceed accordingly based on that determination.