What is a potential outcome of failing to join a necessary party in litigation?

Failing to join a necessary party in litigation can lead to the lawsuit being dismissed or significantly delayed. This consequence arises because courts generally require that all parties with a significant interest in the outcome of the litigation be included in the case to ensure a fair and complete resolution.

If a necessary party is not joined, the court may find that it cannot adequately resolve the dispute without that party’s involvement. Consequently, the court may dismiss the case until the necessary party is included, or it may issue delays as parties try to address the absence. This requirement helps to prevent situations where judgments may be made that do not bind all interested parties, potentially leading to inconsistent results or additional litigation in the future.

In the context of the other options, while additional litigation costs can indeed arise from complications or needing to address the absence of a necessary party (which might lead to option B being a valid concern), the most direct and impactful outcome of failing to join a necessary party is the risk of dismissal or significant delays in litigation. Options such as proceeding without consequences (which overlooks the procedural requirements and risks of prejudice) or expediting the trial (which contradicts the nature of having an incomplete case) are clearly inaccurate in this context.