What distinguishes a counterdefendant from a standard defendant?

A counterdefendant is specifically a party who has been sued in response to a counterclaim, which is an assertion made against a plaintiff by a defendant. In this context, the key aspect that distinguishes a counterdefendant from a standard defendant is that the counterdefendant has been sued by the counterplaintiff, who is typically the original defendant in the case. This means that the counterdefendant's role arises from the counterclaim made against them rather than from the initial claim made by the plaintiff.

This concept is important in legal proceedings, as it highlights the dynamics of litigation where a defendant may take a proactive stance by filing a counterclaim, thereby leading to another party being designated as a counterdefendant. In contrast, terms like guilt, legal representation, or the ability to appeal do not define the roles in this context, making them less relevant to the distinctions being made between a counterdefendant and a standard defendant.