Русско-англо-русский юридический словарь

Secondary liability refers to the responsibility of a person or entity that arises when the party directly liable fails to perform a duty. [...] It is a term commonly used in connection to those who guarantee a debt. In that context, it refers to a contingent requirement to pay a negotiable instrument upon dishonor or the failure to pay or accept by the party(-ies) primarily liable for the instrument. (USLegal)