Legal Definitions - intervention

Intervention is a legal term that allows a person who is not a party to a lawsuit to join the case if they have a direct interest in the subject matter. This can happen in two ways:

• Intervention of right: If the person's interest is not being adequately represented by one of the parties, they can ask the court to let them join the case. This request must be made in a timely manner.
• Permissive intervention: Even if the person's interest is being represented, the court may allow them to join the case if it would help resolve the issues more efficiently.

For example, let's say a group of environmental activists are suing a company for polluting a river. A local fisherman who relies on the river for his livelihood could ask to intervene in the case, arguing that his interests are not being represented by either the activists or the company. If the court agrees, he would become a party to the lawsuit and have a say in the outcome.