一、可追加被告的法定情形(Legal Grounds for Adding Defendants)
根据《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》及相关司法解释,原告申请追加被告需符合以下法定情形:
主体责任关联情形(Subject Liability Connection)若原被告企业在诉讼中变更为一人有限公司,根据《公司法》第 63 条,可追加唯一股东为被告,主张其对公司债务承担连带责任(joint and several liability)。法人被告出现分立、合并或注销时,可追加权利义务承继主体为被告(《民法典》第 67 条)。身份信息补充情形(Supplementary Identity Information)立案时因客观原因(如被告身份信息不全)未能列明被告,后续通过调查取证(如工商档案查询、公安机关户籍证明)获取完整信息的,可申请追加(《民事诉讼法解释》第 73 条)。共同责任或关联行为情形(Joint Liability or Related Conduct)发现被告与案外第三人存在恶意串通(malicious collusion)、共同侵权(joint tort)或合同连带责任(joint contractual liability),如担保人未被列为被告、实际控制人需对公司债务担责等(《民法典》第 164 条、第 178 条)。二、追加被告的时限要求(Time Limit for Adding Defendants)
法律对追加被告的期限有严格限制:
一审程序中:根据《民事诉讼法解释》第 73 条,原告申请追加被告应在法庭辩论终结前提出。若超过此期限,法院可能以程序不合法为由驳回申请。二审程序中:原则上不得追加被告,除非存在特殊情况(如一审法院遗漏必要共同诉讼人),此时需通过审判监督程序(retrial procedure)处理。三、法院审批的关键考量因素(Key Considerations for Court Approval)
即使符合法定情形和时限,法院仍可能驳回追加申请,具体审查要点包括:
材料完整性(Completeness of Documents)需提交书面申请书(Application for Adding Defendant),明确被告与本案的法律关系(如合同相对性、侵权连带责任),并附证据清单(如股权转让协议、担保合同、沟通记录等)。提供被告准确的送达地址(service address)及身份信息(如营业执照、身份证复印件),确保诉讼文书可有效送达。程序效率与审理影响(Procedural Efficiency and Trial Impact)若追加被告可能导致案件需公告送达(public service)或延长审理期限(普通程序审限 6 个月,简易程序 3 个月),法院可能基于诉讼效率驳回申请。必要共同诉讼(necessary joinder)中,若不追加被告将导致裁判缺乏基础,法院应当追加;非必要共同诉讼中,法院可自由裁量(discretion)。四、实务操作策略与建议(Practical Strategies and Suggestions)
立案阶段预防措施(Preventive Measures at Filing Stage)尽可能在立案时全面核查被告信息,通过 “国家企业信用信息公示系统”“中国执行信息公开网” 等渠道检索关联主体,避免后续追加。对潜在共同责任人(如担保人、股东),提前列入被告名单,附相关主体资格证明(如公司章程、担保合同)。诉讼中追加的操作要点(Key Points for Adding During Litigation)尽早申请:建议在举证期限(burden of proof period)届满前提出,为证据补充和庭审准备预留时间。强化法律论证:在申请书中引用具体法条(如《民事诉讼法》第 132 条),结合案例说明追加被告的必要性(如类案中法院支持追加一人公司股东的裁判要旨)。主动协助送达:向法院提供被告的有效联系方式、住所地证明,降低公告送达风险,减少程序拖延。与法院的沟通技巧(Communication Skills with the Court)以书面形式提交《追加被告申请书》,明确被告与本案的事实关联(如资金流向、合同履行记录)及法律依据。若法官倾向于驳回申请,可引用《最高人民法院关于适用〈民事诉讼法〉若干问题的解释》第 73 条,强调 “追加被告是当事人的诉讼权利”,法院应依法审查而非径直要求撤诉。五、风险提示(Risk Reminder)
若未在法定期限内申请追加,可能导致权利无法主张,需另案起诉,增加诉讼成本(litigation costs)。追加被告被驳回后,原告可依据《民事诉讼法》第 154 条申请复议(reconsideration),或在裁判生效后通过上诉(appeal)、再审(retrial)程序救济。
结语(Conclusion)追加被告是诉讼策略的重要环节,需兼顾实体法律关系与程序规则。作为企业法律顾问,应在立案前完成尽职调查(due diligence),诉讼中及时启动追加程序,以专业论证说服法院,最大限度维护企业权益。
闵丹 律师 13249462721
Guidance on Adding Defendants in Litigation (Chinese-English Bilingual)
I. Statutory Circumstances for Adding Defendants
Under the Civil Procedure Law of the Peoples Republic of China and relevant judicial interpretations, the plaintiff may apply to add defendants in the following circumstances:
Subject Liability Connection If the original defendant enterprise changes to a one-person limited company during litigation, the sole shareholder may be added as a defendant in accordance with Article 63 of the Company Law to claim joint and several liability for the companys debts.When a legal person defendant is divided, merged, or deregistered, the successor entity of rights and obligations may be added as a defendant (Article 67 of the Civil Code).Supplementary Identity Information If the defendant cannot be listed due to incomplete identity information at the time of filing, the plaintiff may apply to add the defendant after obtaining complete information through investigation (e.g., industrial and commercial records, household registration certificates) (Article 73 of the Interpretation of the Civil Procedure Law).Joint Liability or Related Conduct Where it is found that the defendant has malicious collusion, joint tort, or joint contractual liability with a third party (e.g., guarantor not listed as a defendant, actual controller liable for company debts), the third party may be added as a defendant (Articles 164 and 178 of the Civil Code).II. Time Limit for Adding Defendants
First-instance procedure: The application should be filed before the conclusion of court debate (Article 73 of the Interpretation of the Civil Procedure Law).Second-instance procedure: Adding defendants is generally not allowed, except for special circumstances (e.g., omission of necessary co-litigants in the first instance).III. Key Considerations for Court Approval
Completeness of Documents Submit a written application, evidence list (e.g., equity transfer agreements, guarantee contracts), and accurate service address of the defendant.Procedural Efficiency The court may reject the application if it may cause public service or delay the trial (6-month limit for ordinary procedures, 3 months for summary procedures).IV. Practical Strategies
Pre-filing Due Diligence Verify defendant information through national public databases to avoid post-filing additions.Timely Application Apply before the burden of proof period expires and attach legal arguments and precedents.Effective Communication with the Court Submit a legal opinion citing specific articles (e.g., Article 132 of the Civil Procedure Law) and assist with service of process.ConclusionAdding defendants requires a balance of substantive law and procedural rules. Legal counsel should conduct thorough due diligence and timely apply to protect the enterprises interests.
Min Dan, an esteemed attorney affiliated with Guangdong Gang Ren Law Firm, based in Shenzhen, China.
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