Joint liability
Joint liability is a single obligation shared by two or more people. At common law there is one cause of action, so all joint obligors should generally be joined in a lawsuit. It differs from several liability, where each owes a separate obligation, and joint and several liability, which gives the creditor both.
How BC law treats it
In BC, whether an obligation is joint, several, or joint and several depends on the contract or statute. For example, partners in a general partnership are jointly liable for the firm's debts under s. 11 of the Partnership Act, RSBC 1996 c 348.
What it means for your business
The distinction matters when suing fewer than all obligors or releasing one of them.
Risks and common mistakes
Releasing one joint obligor without reserving rights against the others can release them all.
For the full explanation, see our entry on Joint and several liability.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
