Legal Definitions - countersuit

A countersuit is a legal claim made by a defendant against the plaintiff in response to the original claim made by the plaintiff. It is also known as a counterclaim.

For example, if a person sues their neighbor for property damage, the neighbor may file a countersuit claiming that the person's tree branches damaged their roof.

There are two types of counterclaims: compulsory and permissive. A compulsory counterclaim must be asserted in the original action and relates to the opposing party's claim. A permissive counterclaim does not have to be asserted in the original action and may involve third parties over which the court does not have jurisdiction.

Overall, a countersuit allows both parties to present their claims and defenses in one lawsuit, which can save time and resources.