A person concerned or having or taking part in any affair, matter, transaction , or proceeding, considered individually. See PARTIES. The term “parties” includes all persons who are directly interested in the subject- matter in issue, who have a right to make defense, control the proceedings , or appeal from the judgment. Strangers are persons who do not possess these rights. Hunt v. Haven, 52 N. H. 162. “Party” is a technical word, and has a precise meaning in legal parlance. By it is understood he or they by or against whom a suit is brought, whether in law or equity; the party plaintiff or defendant, whether composed of one or more individuals, and whether natural or legal persons, (they are parties in the writ, and parties on the record 😉 and all others who may be affected by the suit, indirectly or consequentially, are persons interested, but not parties. Merchants’ Bank v. Cook, 4 Pick. 405.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
