# joint liability (joint and several liability)

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Unlike several liability – where each debtor is responsible only for a defined share – joint and several liability makes every debtor individually answerable for the full amount of the claim.

Unlike several liability – where each debtor is responsible only for a defined share – joint and several liability makes every debtor individually answerable for the full amount of the claim. The creditor may demand complete performance from any one debtor at will, regardless of who caused the underlying loss. In freight and logistics, this arises when multiple parties, such as a freight forwarder, a main carrier, and a terminal operator, are bound jointly by contract or statute to cover the same damage. The debtor who settles the claim may then seek contribution from the others through recourse proceedings. Joint and several liability also features in customs law, where several parties to a single customs debt can be held solidarily liable, giving the authority full discretion over whom to pursue.

**Source:** [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesamtschuldverhältnis](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesamtschuldverhältnis)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | joint liability (joint and several liability) |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 130 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesamtschuldverhältnis |

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