Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Defence definition

What does Defence mean? In civil litigation, a defence is the defendant’s formal pleading that answers the claim and sets out the material facts and legal grounds relied on. It shapes the issues for disclosure, evidence and trial, and must be filed within the time limits set by court rules; failure may lead to default judgment (or decree). In England and Wales, under the Civil Procedure Rules, the defence is a statement of case responding to the particulars of claim. It should specify which allegations are admitted, denied or not admitted, explain any denial, and plead defences such as limitation or set-off....

Third Party Defence Template: Highway Authority’s Part 20 Additional Claim Against Sub-contractor for Contribution/Indemnity (Negligence and Breach of Contract) [England and Wales]

Published by a LexisNexis PI & Clinical Negligence expert

Precedents

[ At the County Court at [ insert ] or in the High Court of Justice ]

[ [ Identify division ] ]

[ [ Identify specialist court ] ]

[ [ Insert location ] ]

Claim No: [ Insert claim number ]

Between

[ Insert name and details of the Claimant ] — Claimant

and

[ Insert name and details of the Defendant ] — Defendant

and

[ Insert name and details of the Third Party ] — Third Party

Third Party’s Defence to Defendant’s Additional Claim

The Third Party admits paragraphs 1 to 3 of the Particulars of Additional Claim...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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