Rule 71 Process in behalf of and against persons not parties

Sometimes a court order affects someone who isn't officially part of a lawsuit. This rule explains how that works.

If a court order benefits someone who isn't a party to the case, that person can still make sure the order is followed. They can use the same legal tools a party would use to enforce it.

The same goes the other way around. If a court order requires someone to do something, and that person isn't a party to the case, they can still be legally forced to follow it. The court can use the same enforcement methods against them as it would against an actual party.

In short, this rule means you don't have to be officially part of a lawsuit to be bound by a court order or to enforce one. If the order applies to you, the court has ways to make sure it's followed either way.