Legal Definitions - plea in reconvention

A plea in reconvention is a type of plea in which the defendant in a civil case makes a counterclaim against the plaintiff. This means that the defendant is not only defending themselves against the plaintiff's claim, but they are also making their own claim against the plaintiff.

For example, if a plaintiff sues a defendant for breach of contract, the defendant may make a plea in reconvention by counterclaiming that the plaintiff also breached the contract. This allows the defendant to not only defend themselves but also to seek damages from the plaintiff.

Plea in reconvention is a common practice in civil law systems, particularly in Louisiana. It is also known as a "compensatory plea" or "set-off plea."