An indispensable party is a person or entity which is necessary to be included in a lawsuit because the court can't make a final judgment or order that will conclude the controversy without making a determination about their rights. Because of the interests of the indispensible party in the outcome of the lawsuit, if the party is not included, then the case would be dismissed. For example, government rules may require that in a suit against a subordinate officer, the head of a department or other superior officer is an indispensable party if the relief sought would require the superior officer to take action, either directly or through a subordinate.
