Third-Party Practice

(a) When Defendant May Bring in Third Party. — At any time after commencement of the action a defending party, as a third-party plaintiff, may file and serve a third-party complaint upon a person not a party to the action who is or may be liable to the third- party plaintiff for all or part of the plaintiff's claim against the third-party plaintiff. The third-party plaintiff need not obtain leave therefore if the third-party complaint is filed not later than 21 days after the third-party plaintiff serves an original pleading in response. Otherwise the third-party plaintiff must obtain leave therefore on motion after notice to all parties to the action. The person served with the third-party complaint, hereinafter called the third-party defendant, must make defenses to the third-party plaintiff's claim as provided in Rules 3:7 and 3:8. The third-party defendant may plead counterclaims against the third-party plaintiff and cross-claims against other third-party defendants as provided in Rules 3:9 and 3:10. The third-party defendant may assert against the plaintiff any defenses that the third-party plaintiff has to the plaintiff's claim. The third-party defendant may also assert any claim against the plaintiff arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff's claim against the third-party plaintiff. The plaintiff may, at plaintiff's option, within 21 days after service of the third-party complaint upon the third-party defendant, assert any claim against the third-party defendant arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff's claim against the third-party plaintiff, and the third-party defendant thereupon may assert defenses as provided in Rules 3:7 and 3:8 and any counterclaims and cross-claims, including claims against the plaintiff, as provided in Rules 3:9 and 3:10. Any party may move to strike the third-party complaint, or for its severance or separate trial. A third-party defendant may proceed under this rule against any person not a party to the action who is or may be liable to the third-party defendant for all or part of the claim made in the action against the third-party defendant. (b) When Plaintiff May Bring in Third Party. — When a counterclaim is asserted against a plaintiff, the plaintiff may cause a third party to be brought in under circumstances that under this rule would entitle a defendant to do so. Last amended by Order dated November 23, 2020; effective March 1, 2021 RULES OF SUPREME COURT OF VIRGINIA PART THREE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE IN CIVIL ACTIONS