Joint Liability Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Joint Liability.

Joint Liability (noun)

Definition: Joint liability refers to the responsibility shared by two or more people or parties for a particular debt, claim, or legal obligation. In this situation, they will have to collectively answer to any claims or repay any debts. It’s important to note, any party involved can be held completely responsible, meaning a person could potentially bear the entire burden if other parties cannot pay.

This term is often used in business partnerships or agreements where multiple parties are involved in a particular activity or decision. Because of this shared responsibility, individuals can't be sued individually under joint liability.