What Should Your Florida Trial Lawyer Know About Indispensable Parties?

What is an indispensable party? Why should your Florida trial lawyer be familiar with this term and the rules regarding it? Can my Florida lawsuit be dismissed for failure to join indispensable parties? Who is an indispensable party to my Florida lawsuit? If you are wondering whether or not someone is an indispensable party, you may want to read an April 22,2019 First DCA opinion, MBC Gospel Network, LLC v. Florida’s News Channel,LC.

Here, the Florida appellate court defines what an indispensable party is. It explains that ” an indispensable party is one whose interest in the controversy makes it impossible to completely adjudicate the matter without affecting either that party’s interest or the interests of another party in the action.” The appellate court also explains that, when determining whether a party is indispensable, ” the relevant question is not whether the action may proceed efficiently without the missing party, but whether the action can proceed at all.” To read the entire opinion, click here.