Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.246

1.246(1) When defendant may bring in third party. At any time after commencement of the

action a defending party, as a third-party plaintiff, may file a cross-petition and cause an original

notice to be served upon a person not a party to the action who is or may be liable for all or part of

the plaintiff’s claim. The third-party plaintiff need not obtain leave to file the cross-petition if it is

filed not later than ten days after the filing of the original answer. Otherwise leave may be obtained

by motion upon notice to all parties to the action.

The third-party defendant shall assert defenses to the third-party plaintiff’s claim as provided

in rule 1.441 and counterclaims against the third-party plaintiff as provided in rule 1.241 and

cross-claims against other third-party defendants as provided in rule 1.245.

The third-party defendant may assert against the plaintiff any defenses which the third-party

plaintiff has to the plaintiff’s claim. The third-party defendant may also assert any claim against the

plaintiff arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff’s claim

against the third-party plaintiff, and the plaintiff shall assert defenses as provided in rule 1.441 and

counterclaims under rule 1.241.

The plaintiff may assert any claim against the third-party defendant arising out of the transaction

or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff’s claim against the third-party plaintiff, and

the third-party defendant thereupon shall assert defenses as provided in rule 1.441, counterclaims as

provided in rule 1.241, and cross-claims as provided in rule 1.245. Any party may move to strike

the third-party claim or for its severance or for separate trial. A third-party defendant may proceed

under this rule against any person not a party to the action who is or may be liable for all or part of

the claim made in the action against the third-party defendant.

1.246(2) When plaintiff may bring in third party. When a counterclaim is asserted against a

plaintiff, that plaintiff may cause a third party to be brought in under circumstances which under this

rule would entitle a defendant to do so.