counter-claim

A lawyer files a counter-claim in response to the original lawsuit.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A claim made in opposition to another claim: In legal contexts, a "counter-claim" is a claim brought by a defendant against a plaintiff in response to the plaintiff's original claim. It asserts that the defendant has a right to relief from the plaintiff.
   • A retaliatory assertion: More generally, it is an assertion or accusation made to challenge or rebut a previous claim or accusation.

2. Verb:

   • To make a claim in opposition: To assert a claim as a response to a previous claim, especially in legal proceedings. It means to bring a counter-claim against someone.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The defendant filed a counter-claim against the plaintiff for breach of contract. (The defendant made a legal claim opposing the plaintiff's original claim.)
  • His speech was filled with accusations and counter-claims from both sides. (Each side made retaliatory assertions against the other.)

• Verb:

  • The company decided to counter-claim for damages after being sued. (The company chose to make a legal claim in response to the lawsuit.)
  • She counter-claimed that his allegations were false. (She made a retaliatory assertion against his accusations.)

Advanced Usage

• "to lodge a counter-claim": to formally submit a counter-claim in a legal or formal setting.

  • The tenant lodged a counter-claim for unsafe living conditions. (The tenant formally submitted an opposing legal claim.)

• "counter-claim and set-off": In law, a counter-claim that seeks to reduce or eliminate the original claim by asserting a separate debt or obligation.

  • The lawyer argued for a counter-claim and set-off to reduce the owed amount. (The lawyer used a legal strategy to offset the original claim.)

Variants and Related Words

• Counter-claimant (n): a person who makes a counter-claim.

  • The counter-claimant presented evidence to support their case. (The person making the opposing claim provided proof.)

• Counter-claiming (adj or v): the act of making a counter-claim.

  • The counter-claiming party must prove their damages. (The party making the opposing claim must demonstrate their losses.)

Synonyms

• Rebuttal: a refutation or contradiction of a claim.
• Cross-claim: a claim made by one defendant against another defendant in the same lawsuit.
• Counter-suit: a lawsuit filed in response to another lawsuit.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms