Recent Changes To The Mississippi Rules Of Civil Procedure

The last quarter of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 saw multiple amendments to the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure that will impact Mississippi practitioners. The three primary Rule changes are: (1) third-party complaints can be timely filed without leave of court; (2) there is no requirement to attach documents that form the basis of a claim or defense to a pleading; and (3) judgments cannot be enforced for 30 days after entry.

A. Third-Party Complaints May Now Be Timely Filed Without Seeking Leave of Court

Mississippi Rule of Civil Procedure 14(a) allows a defendant to join a third party "who is or may be liable to him for all or part of the plaintiff's claims against him." Under the prior version of Rule 14(a), a defendant could not add a third-party defendant without first receiving authorization from the court by filing a motion and showing good cause. Effective February 26, 2025, Rule 14(a) is amended to allow a defendant to join a third party without