NALA Certified Paralegal Practice Exam

A claim made by a defendant in a civil lawsuit against the plaintiff; in effect, a reverse lawsuit, is called a(n):

1. Cross-claim

2. Counterclaim

3. Opposition

4. Answer

The correct answer is: Counterclaim

A cross-claim is not the correct answer because it refers to a claim made by one defendant against another defendant in the same lawsuit, not against the plaintiff. The term "opposition" is not the correct answer because it does not accurately describe the situation described in the question. A "counterclaim" is the correct term for a claim made by a defendant against the plaintiff in a civil lawsuit. "Answer" is not the correct answer because it refers to the defendant's formal written response to the plaintiff's complaint, not a reverse lawsuit. In a counterclaim, the defendant is essentially suing the plaintiff in response to the plaintiff's initial lawsuit.