What are counterclaims?

Counterclaims are defined as claims that a defendant raises against a plaintiff in response to the original complaint. In legal terms, when a defendant files a counterclaim, they are essentially asserting that not only do they deny the accusations made by the plaintiff, but they also have their own legal reasons or injuries for which they believe the plaintiff should be held liable. This is a method for the defendant to address their grievances within the same legal action, rather than requiring a separate lawsuit.

This is distinct from other legal concepts, such as responses by the plaintiff to the court, which fall under procedural responses rather than counterclaims. Additionally, requests for new evidence and legal documents required during discovery pertain to the process of gathering and presenting evidence in a trial, rather than asserting an opposing claim within the same case. The essence of a counterclaim lies in its function to ensure that all relevant disputes between parties are addressed and resolved in one legal action, which can promote judicial efficiency and fairness.