An independent cause of action by one party (either a plaintiff or a defendant) that opposes or offsets a previous claim made by the other party (compare Cross-claim)
A claim presented by a defendant in opposition to or deduction from the claim of the plaintiff
A claim presented by a defendant in a civil proceeding in opposition to the claim of a plaintiff
The respondent may claim that he or she has grounds for divorce that he or she wishes the court to consider The counterclaim is identical to the petition except that it is filed by the respondent against the petitioner
A claim brought by a defendant in response to the claimant's claim, which is included in the same proceedings as the claimant's claim (Civil Justice Rules)