What are the effects of failing to join a necessary party?

The correct answer highlights the potential consequences of failing to join a necessary party. In such situations, the court has the discretion to either dismiss the case or issue an incomplete judgment. A necessary party is someone whose participation is required for the court to render a complete and fair resolution of the dispute, particularly if that party's absence would impede their ability to protect their interests or the interests of existing parties.

If a necessary party is not joined, the court may find that it cannot adjudicate the matter effectively without that party, leading to the possibility of a dismissal. Alternatively, if the case can still proceed without fully resolving all issues due to the absence of the necessary party, the court might issue an incomplete judgment that does not satisfactorily settle the rights and obligations of all parties involved.

This answer captures the nuanced nature of joinder issues, where merely failing to include a necessary party doesn't automatically result in dismissal or indefinite postponement, as the other options suggest. Instead, the court's response can vary, underscoring the importance of ensuring all necessary parties are joined to avoid complications in the judicial process.