A counterclaim is a legal claim made by a defendant in a civil lawsuit against the plaintiff. It is essentially a response to the plaintiff's claim, asserting that the plaintiff is also liable for some harm or wrongdoing, and it may seek damages or other relief from the plaintiff.
In the context of a legal dispute, a counterclaim allows the defendant to present their side of the story and potentially recover damages or assert their own legal rights. Counterclaims can be "compulsory," meaning they must be filed in response to the plaintiff’s claim, or "permissive," meaning the defendant can choose whether or not to file them.
Counterclaims can include various types of claims, such as tort claims, breach of contract claims, or other legal issues relevant to the case. The inclusion of counterclaims can complicate litigation, as it introduces additional issues that the court must resolve.