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Simple English definitions for legal terms
interpleader
Read a random definition: aggregate supply
A quick definition of interpleader:
Interpleader is a way for someone who has something that two or more people claim to own, to start a court case where those people can argue about who really owns it. This helps the person who has the thing because they won't get sued by both people separately and lose the thing twice.
A more thorough explanation:
Interpleader is a legal process that allows someone who holds property to start a lawsuit between two or more people who claim ownership of that property. This process helps to avoid the problem of the holder being sued separately by each claimant and potentially losing the property twice.
Let's say that John is holding a valuable painting that he knows he doesn't own, but both Jane and Mark are claiming ownership of it. Instead of waiting for Jane and Mark to sue him separately, John can file an interpleader action. This will allow Jane and Mark to litigate and determine who actually owns the painting.
Another example could be a bank that is holding money that two different people are claiming. The bank can file an interpleader action to have the court decide who the rightful owner of the money is.
These examples illustrate how interpleader can be used to resolve disputes over property ownership and prevent the holder from being sued multiple times for the same property.