non-party

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablelegalformal

   A person or organization that is not one of the parties involved in a legal case, agreement, or dispute.

   Grammar: Countable: a non-party, several non-parties. Often followed by to: a non-party to the contract.

   Patterns

   • a non-party to something
   • a non-party in a case
   • bind a non-party

   The court allowed a non-party to submit evidence in the case.

   As a non-party to the agreement, she had no right to demand payment.

   The ruling does not bind non-parties.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounlegalformal

   Not involved as one of the parties in a legal case or agreement.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun: non-party costs, a non-party witness.

   Patterns

   • non-party costs
   • a non-party witness
   • non-party involvement

   The judge ordered non-party costs against the insurance company.

   A non-party witness was called to describe what she saw.

   The rule limits non-party access to confidential documents.

3. 3adjectivebefore a nounformal

   Not connected with a political party; independent of party politics.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun: a non-party meeting, non-party talks.

   Patterns

   • a non-party meeting
   • non-party talks
   • a non-party body

   The leaders held non-party talks to discuss the crisis.

   She chaired a non-party committee on election reform.

Word forms

Common combinations

a non-party to the contract

A non-party to the contract cannot usually enforce it.

non-party costs

The losing side had to pay non-party costs.

a non-party witness

A non-party witness testified about the accident.

bind a non-party

The settlement does not bind a non-party.

non-party talks

The president called for non-party talks on the budget.

Synonyms and how they differ

third party

Means someone outside the main two sides; a non-party is broader because it can refer to anyone not involved, in any kind of case.

outsider

Everyday word for someone not part of a group; it is not a legal term and does not fit formal court writing.

independent

Used for people or groups not controlled by others; it does not by itself say they are outside a legal case.

Opposites

Word family

party noun

One of the people or groups involved in a legal case or agreement.

parties noun

The plural form used for the sides in a case or contract.

Commonly confused: non-party or no party?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “non-party”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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