What is a motion to intervene?

A motion to intervene is a legal term used in civil procedure in Washington and throughout the United States. It is a request by a third party to become part of an existing court case. For example, if a lawsuit was ongoing between two parties, a third party could file a motion to intervene if they felt their rights were affected by the outcome of the case. When a motion to intervene is filed, the court must consider whether or not the intervening party has a legal interest in the outcome of the case. If the motion is approved, the intervening party becomes an active party to the case and can file pleadings, take part in hearings, and appeal the court’s rulings. In Washington, a motion to intervene must be filed before any final judgment is made in the case. This is to ensure that the intervening party is given a fair opportunity to make their case and that the outcome of the lawsuit is not decided without considering their interests. It is important to note that a motion to intervene does not guarantee that the court will approve the request. The court must decide if the intervening party has a legal interest in the case and whether or not allowing them to intervene would be fair to all parties involved.

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