What if the Other Party Makes a Counterclaim?
There are several different ways that a defendant can respond when a claim is issued against him:
- Do nothing at all – the claimant is then entitled to request a judgment in default;
- Admit the claim – the claimant is entitled to request judgment. The defendant may pay the debt or make an offer to pay it by instalments;
- Defend the claim – the case will then have to be allocated to the appropriate track so that it can proceed to trial; or,
- Defend the claim and make a counterclaim.
The Civil Procedure Rules
Part 20 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) contains the rules governing counterclaims. The defendant will usually be able to start the counterclaim when he defends the claim. In most types of cases the defendant does not need the court’s permission to do this. A defendant might decide to bring a counterclaim against the claimant in a case where he says that, whether or not what the claimant says is correct, it should be set off against something that the claimant has done.Counterclaim Against the Claimant
For example, a builder has started a claim against a householder who has refused to pay for a fitted kitchen. The householder says that the services provided by the builder were so poor that he had to pay somebody else to finish the work and to repair structural damage caused by the builder’s employees. The householder says that the builder should reimburse him for the additional money he was forced to spend.If the defendant decides to bring a counterclaim against the claimant after he has filed his defence he will need the court’s permission to do so.
Reply and Defence to Counterclaim
If a defendant puts in a counterclaim with their defence, the claimant will have the opportunity to respond to this in a Reply and / or Defence to the Counterclaim. This will usually have to be returned to the court within about 14 days of receipt of the counterclaim.Part 20 Claim Against a Third Party
Part 20 of the CPR also deals with the situation where a defendant says that, if the claimant’s case is correct, the defendant should be able to seek payment or some other remedy from a third party to set off his liability to the claimant. In other words the defendant is saying that, if the claimant is correct, it is a third party’s fault and they are the ones who should pay. Alternatively the defendant may say that he has a separate claim against a third party that would most appropriately be dealt with at the same time as the original claim.The defendant will have to ask for the court’s permission to have the third party added as a party to the proceedings.
Management of Counterclaims
If the defendant responds to the claim by making a counterclaim the claimant will, technically, become the “Part 20 Defendant” and the defendant will become the “Part 20 Claimant”. Therefore any court documents should give the parties both of these titles. If the defendant has issued a Part 20 claim against a third party, the third party will be the part 20 Defendant.Where a counterclaim is made, or where the court’s permission is sought to issue a counterclaim, the court will take into account a number of factors when deciding how to manage the case. The court can refuse permission, strike out the counterclaim or order that it be dealt with as a separate claim.
Allocation of Counterclaims
Some defendants will have a genuine counterclaim against the claimant which should, in the interests of justice, be dealt with at the same time. However, there are occasions where a defendant will seek to introduce a counterclaim in an effort to avoid liability or to complicate the court process.A counterclaim could have a bearing on the allocation of the trial. If the financial value of the counterclaim is higher than the value of the original claim this could result in the whole claim being allocated to a different track. Therefore a claimant who thinks he has issued a small claims case could suddenly find that the case has been allocated to a costlier and more complicated track because of the counterclaim.
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If a Defendant adds a Part 20 against another party, claiming indemnity from them, if the Claimant wins and the Part 20 Defendant doesn't submit a defence on time (so there's a default judgement against them), does the Claimant then have to seek the money directly from the Part 20 Defendant or still from the original Defendant, who then gets it from the Part 20 Defendant?
Etom - 1-Jun-21 @ 7:25 PM
Hi,
I bought a hot tub online (price 3800) including shipping, positioning and installation. (Shipping cost in the invoice=0). When it arrived, the shipping company asked me where is MY CRANE?! , I told them that I assumed they bring everything as the shipping mode is positionaing and installation. They said they are middle men and if I don't have the crane it costs me 800 pounds to hire one and it probably won't be that day. I said I am not paying 800 pounds for the crane, they said ok, so we should take the product away. Someone will call you. I called the supplier, no answer. Few days later I finally managed to contact the supplier by email, telling him the story he refunded my money but sent me an invoice for delivery (300pounds). They said in their T&C it says that the customer is responsible for the delivery costs. This was not stated on the invoice, so I looked at the wesbite. No mention of the amount is there. It also says that I can choose to return the product myself. No one told me that. If I knew I have to pay 300 pounds, I would have asked my builder neighbour to return it for me for free. I suggested that I pay them 50 pounds instead , and also mentioned that the distress they caused me, I had to take annual leave for the delivery day and the fact that they as professionals did not arrange the shipping properly , they said that from the price I should have known that does not include the crane!!! I refused to pay 300 pounds. and they refused to accept my 50 pounds. Now the supplier is taking me to the court for 325 pounds (including court costs). I would like to explain all these to the court and also make a counter claim of 325 on the grounds :
1. I was not given the option of free return (by my neighbour)
2. There is no information either on the invoice or on their website that the return costs me 300 pounds.
3. The supplier neither answered my call or called me back for arranging and discussing the 300 pounds delivery cost.
4. The distress they caused me, the fact that they took an honest lecturer to the court for the first time over 300 pounds and ruined my credit history and the annual leave I lost to wait for the failed delivery and the hassle of court papers and cpunter claims.
Can you please guide me? Can I do that? What are my chances? I have also complained to the trading standards.
1345 - 26-Jul-17 @ 3:10 PM
Hi i have filed a court case but my circumstances have changed and no longer wish the pursue the claim.However the defendant has now raised a spurious counter claim is there any way to mutually agree to to end proceedings on both sides.
jonjon - 7-Jul-17 @ 8:47 PM
This article mentions making a counterclaim after the defence is lodged that permission from the court is required.
I want to do this as I realised after preparing my witness statements and documents that I have grounds for a counter claim. The court date is already set for 8 weeks time.
What form do I need to fill in to seek permission from the court, any help greatly appreciated
timmsie - 6-Jun-17 @ 1:46 PM
Can a party who has filled a counterclaim apply to amend his counterclaim, only in relation to the damages being sort, after the county court has received his counterclaim but before the counterclaim fees have been paid?
Thanks
Joe - 9-May-17 @ 4:20 PM
if a claimant discontinues his case against you, and you already counterclaimed against the claimant, does the counterclaim still stand?
sapnker - 27-Jan-17 @ 12:08 AM
We have had a county court action filed against us. We have defended and We are making a counter claim which has cost £185. Whathappens if the claimant drops the case?
Jen - 12-Jan-17 @ 8:39 PM
Basically there is a possibility that a Solicitor acting for a client who may sue us for some money and costs.We would defend these accusations.Also, we would want to issue a large counterclaim for libel, extortion, damage to health and financial losses as a consequence.
Basically, can we sue the client and the solicitor separately.The solicitor has broken the code of conduct, facilitated and possibly conducted libel and been party to extortion.I have examined the legal definition of these terms and I am happy that they have a case to answer.The solicitor specifically threatened to ruin in writing in a letter not marked private and confidential or without prejudice.It was based on some incorrect facts and lies provided by the client.This is proven. This letter was shared with a third party.I do not expect comments about the case, but about the principle of suing the claimants solicitor for his part in the affair.My view is he broke the code of conduct and made threats of ruin and used language designed to cause genuine distress.He achieved this as his actions led to some pretty dreadful consequences.
pete - 3-Dec-16 @ 5:57 PM
Hi
I wanted to know if its possible to seek a counter claim against the claimebt after filing defence.
Miss G - 21-Nov-16 @ 7:33 PM
Hello my son has recently got a CCJ which he did not receive any paperwork for.It was for parking in a hotel car park he was staying at.Can he counterclaim?
Maria - 26-Aug-16 @ 6:37 PM
I'm a student in a student let, relations with my fellowtenants became tense following a disagreement over heating, they failing to understand that a credit in summer, becomes a debit in winter hopefully to become a zero balance at the end of the year, and they wished to use up the credit by keeping the heating on longer in the early autumn when they were in bed.This tension escalated into a campaign of harassment when I attempted to organise keeping the flat clean, as I was fed uphaving to clean up before and after I cooked, and in general appearing to be the only one who emptied bins etc.My fellow tenants then began to abuse me to my face and on social media and eventually to intimidate.I contacted various bodies, and also attended the Doctor due to the stress, and finally contacted the landlord for advice onhow to get out of the flat, and asked for this to be kept confidential. The landlord replied and copied in my house mates which resulted in even more abuse and harassment, and I moved out, I sought advice & was told I should have complained to the landlord and had I done so could have claimed back the thousands of pounds it has cost me to pay rent on 2 properties on the grounds they did not ensure I had the Quiet Enjoyment the contract required.The landlord was aware I was moving out due to the behaviour & his action in copying in my housemates when I sought a confidentialreply hastened my departure, is that sufficient to have a case against the landlord for not fulfilling the tenancy agreement that promised me Quiet enjoyment OR did I have to formally complain and ask for help to stop the abuse by me fellow tenants?Advice that I record the actions of my housemates means I have evidence that they deliberately set out to drive me out and tocause me financial loss by cranking up bills and refusing any replacement tenant I found.
Bill - 11-Apr-16 @ 11:58 AM
Hi, I am a expat landlord with property in the UK. I have had a number of problems with my tenant (mostly due to refusing inspections and refusing contractors to enter the property) which lead to me having to evict him. He refused to leave, and I had to take him to court in order to get a court order to make him leave. In response to my claim to have him evicted, he issued a counterclaim against me due to his problems with the property during his tenancy. The vast majority of his claims relate to the actions of the property agent (such as not fixing the problems in time, incorrectly advertising features of the property, etc). It is a very weak case, and he is refusing to settle for any reasonable amount out of court, but I am still nervous that a judge may find in his favour. He has not included the agent as a third party in his counterclaim. Is it possible for me to add the agent as a third party defendant to this counterclaim in order to share the liability should the court award in the tenant's favour?
Nellie - 7-Feb-16 @ 10:37 AM
I made a claim against a woman who owes me money.
She defended and has counter claimed.
Now, family matters are demanding my attention and I no longer want to go ahead with my claim.
If I cancel the claim - does that automatically cancel the counter claim?
or do I require permission from the other defendant/claimant to cancel her counter claim?
Do I cancel Without Prejudice or With Prejudice?
thank you
Amie - 16-Jul-15 @ 10:34 AM
hi there just need advice what will happen next if the person counter claim on me and don't pay the court fee I know that then court will remove the counter claim but what will happen next thanks
yasir - 18-May-15 @ 1:39 PM
@meena - I can't advice you directly on whether you have a case as your comments are slightly confusing. However, you need to get together all the evidence you can to support your claim against your landlord. I have included a link to the CAB checklist of what you need to have in order to make your case strong. Link here. I hope this helps.
AboutSmallClaims - 10-Feb-15 @ 10:41 AM
Hi i was renting a propety since 2012. when i was moving i few month early i ask landlord if he put my mony dps sheem. he reply no such a thing and bang the phone. the for tear and wear he diduct 95£ and ask me to agree and sign. i did not ageree. i beg him to retun. he put me in to much stress. i ask him to retun befor i go for hoidy. he ignore . after i come back from holiday i had a post of cheqe which he diduct £95.I put small court case and now he defended and lies lot and asking money from me. . i am waiting for cout letter. he lies has no evidance. but he abuse mefront of nabers i have all evedance. can you advice. thank you.
meena - 9-Feb-15 @ 2:08 PM
I'm confused: is it a defence or a counterclaim or both if I've withheld money from work left unfinished by an electrician because I'll have to pay another electrician around this amount if he doesn't return to finish the work?
confused - 6-Feb-15 @ 4:17 PM
