§ RULE 13 COUNTERCLAIM AND CROSS-CLAIM

Codes > Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure > III Pleadings > RULE 13

RULE 13. COUNTERCLAIM AND CROSS-CLAIM

    (a) Compulsory Counterclaims. A pleading shall state as a counterclaim any claim which, at the time of filing the pleading, the pleader has against any opposing party, if it arises out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the opposing party's claim and does not require for its adjudication the presence of third parties of whom the court cannot acquire jurisdiction. But the pleader need not state the claim if (1) at the time the action was commenced the claim was the subject of another pending action, or (2) the opposing party brought suit upon his claim by attachment or other process by which the court did not acquire jurisdiction to render a personal judgment on that claim, and the pleader is not stating any counterclaim under this Rule 13.

    (b) Permissive Counterclaim. A pleading may state as a counterclaim any claim against an opposing party not arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the opposing party's claim.

    (c) Counterclaim Exceeding Opposing Claim. A counterclaim may or may not diminish or defeat the recovery sought by the opposing party. It may claim relief exceeding in amount or different in kind from that sought in the pleading of the opposing party.

    (d) Counterclaim Maturing or Acquired After Pleading. A claim which either matured or was acquired by the pleader after filing his pleading shall be presented as a counterclaim by supplemental pleading, provided that if such counterclaim matures or is acquired after all issues are joined, it may be asserted by the pleader in a separate action.

    (e) Omitted Counterclaim. When a pleader fails to assert a counterclaim, he shall be entitled to assert such counterclaim by amended or supplemental pleading subject to the requirements and conditions of Rule 15.

    (f) Cross-Claim Against Co-Party. A pleading may state as a cross-claim any claim by one party against a co-party arising out of the transaction or occurrence which is the subject matter either of the original action or of a counterclaim therein or relating to any property which is the subject matter of the original action. Such cross-claim may include a claim that the party against whom it is asserted is or may be liable to the cross-claimant for all or part of a claim asserted in the action against the cross-claimant.

    (g) Joinder of Additional Parties. Persons other than those made parties to the original action may be made parties to a
counterclaim or cross-claim in accordance with the provisions of Rules 19 and 20.

    (h) Separate Trials; Separate Judgments. If the court orders separate trials as provided in Rule 42(b), judgment on a
counterclaim or cross-claim may be rendered in accordance with the terms of Rule 54(b) when the court has jurisdiction so to do, even if the claims of the opposing party have been dismissed or otherwise disposed of.