countersuit
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A legal claim filed in response to a lawsuit: A "countersuit" is a lawsuit initiated by a defendant against the plaintiff in the same original legal action. It is a claim made in opposition to the initial suit.
Usage
- A "countersuit" is a procedural legal action. It is typically filed within the same court case as the original lawsuit.
- It is used when the party being sued (the defendant) believes they also have a valid legal claim against the party who sued them (the plaintiff).
Examples
- Noun:
- After being sued for breach of contract, the company filed a countersuit for defamation.
- The defendant's countersuit alleged that the plaintiff had committed fraud first.
Advanced Usage
- "To file a countersuit": The standard phrase for initiating this legal action.
- His lawyer advised him to file a countersuit to strengthen his position in the dispute.
Variants and Related Words
- Counterclaim (n): A very similar legal concept, often used interchangeably with "countersuit," though a counterclaim is sometimes considered a broader category that includes countersuits.
- Cross-complaint (n): Another related legal term for a claim filed against a co-party (e.g., a co-defendant) or the plaintiff.
Synonyms
- Counterclaim: A claim made to rebut a previous claim.
- Reciprocal suit: A suit filed in return.
Antonyms
- Original suit: The initial lawsuit.
- Complaint: The formal document that begins a lawsuit.
Noun
- a suit brought against someone who has sued you