Contribution

In common law. The sharing of a loss or payment among several. The act of any one or saveral of 4 number of co-debtors, co-sureties, ete., in re imbursing one of their number who has paid the whole debt or suffered the whole lability, each to the extent of his proportionate share, In maritime law. Where the property of ons of several parties interested in a vessel and cargo has been voluntarily sacrificed for the common safety, (as by throwing goods overboard to lighten the vessel.) such loss must be made good by the contribution of the others, which is termed “general average.”

3 Kent, Comm. 232-244; 1 Story, Eq. Jur. § 490.

In the civil law. <A partition by which the creditors of an insolvent debtor divide among themselves the proceeds of his property proportionably to the amount of their respective eredits. Code La. art.

2522, no, 10.

Contribution is the division which is made among the heirs of the suecession of the debts with which the succession is charged, according to the proportion which each is bound to bear. Civil Code La. art.

1420.