Legal Definitions - right of contribution

The right of contribution is a legal term that refers to the ability of one person who is liable for a debt or injury to recover a portion of the amount owed or damages paid from others who are also responsible. This right is typically granted when multiple parties share liability for a debt or injury.

One example of the right of contribution is when two people are jointly responsible for a debt, such as a loan. If one person pays off the entire debt, they have the right to recover a portion of the amount paid from the other person.

Another example is in cases of joint tortfeasors, or parties who are jointly responsible for a tort (a civil wrong that causes harm or injury). If one party pays more than their share of damages, they have the right to recover a portion of the amount paid from the other tortfeasors.

These examples illustrate how the right of contribution allows for a fair distribution of liability among multiple parties who share responsibility for a debt or injury.