Crossclaim

What crossclaim means

Put simply, crossclaim definition is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.

Where crossclaim definition comes up

For example, the term appears in these procedures:

• Crossclaim (Fed. R. Civ. P. 13(g)): a claim by one party against a coparty — for example, one defendant against another defendant.

How to research the term

Start with the primary source. For example, if crossclaim definition appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read crossclaim definition in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.

You can read the official rule text online for free.

Related legal terms

• Continuance: postponement of a hearing, trial or deadline.
• Counterclaim: a claim by a defending party against the party who sued it.
• Damages: money awarded to compensate for a loss or injury.
• Debt buyer: a company that purchases debts, often charged-off consumer debts, from the original creditor or another owner.

Why precise terms matter

Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.