Law of the parties

Definition

The law of the parties is a legal principle that holds all members of a group accountable for the actions taken by any individual within that group, especially in criminal or civil proceedings. This concept is often applied in cases where the collective action or decision-making of a group leads to legal consequences.

Related terms

Accomplice Liability: A legal principle that holds individuals legally responsible for aiding or encouraging another person in committing a crime.

Joint Enterprise: A legal doctrine that makes all participants in a common plan liable for actions carried out by any one of them within the scope of their agreed-upon plan.

Vicarious Liability: A legal concept where one party is held partly responsible for the unlawful actions of a third party, typically in employer-employee relationships