Legal Definitions - cross-petition

Definition: A cross-petition is a claim made by a defendant against another party in the same legal action. It is also known as a cross-complaint.

For example, if a person sues another person for breach of contract, the defendant may file a cross-petition against the plaintiff for a related matter, such as unpaid wages. This allows both parties to assert their claims and defenses in the same legal action.

In some cases, a defendant may file a cross-petition against a person who is not a party to the action, but whose actions are related to the subject of the action. For instance, if a person is injured in a car accident and sues the driver, the driver may file a cross-petition against the car manufacturer for faulty brakes.

These examples illustrate how a cross-petition allows a defendant to assert their own claims and defenses in the same legal action, rather than having to file a separate lawsuit.