Arizona

Civil Procedure

Civil Procedure

Rule 13 – Counterclaim and Crossclaim

(a) Compulsory Counterclaim.

(1)Generally. A pleading must state as a counterclaim any claim that-at the time of its service-the pleader has against an opposing party if the claim:

(A) arises out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the opposing party’s claim; and
(B) does not require adding another party over whom the court cannot acquire jurisdiction.
(2)Exceptions. The pleader need not state the claim if:

(A) when the action was commenced, the claim was the subject of another pending action; or
(B) the opposing party sued on its claim by attachment or other process that did not establish personal jurisdiction over the pleader on that claim, and the pleader does not assert any counterclaim under this rule.
(b) Permissive Counterclaim. A pleading may state as a counterclaim against an opposing party any claim that is not compulsory.
(c) Relief Sought in a Counterclaim. A counterclaim need not diminish or defeat the recovery sought by the opposing party. It may request relief that exceeds in amount or differs in kind from the relief sought by the opposing party.
(d) Counterclaim Against the State. These rules do not expand the right to assert a counterclaim-or to claim a credit-against the State of Arizona or one of its officers or agencies.
(e) Counterclaim Maturing or Acquired After Pleading. The court may permit a party to file a supplemental pleading asserting a counterclaim that matured or was acquired by the party after serving an earlier pleading.
(f) Crossclaim Against a Coparty.

(1)Generally. A party may state as a crossclaim any claim against a coparty if the claim arises out of the same transaction, occurrence, or event that is the subject matter of the original action or of a counterclaim, or if the claim relates to any property that is the subject matter of the original action. The crossclaim may include a claim that the coparty is or may be liable to the cross-claimant for all or part of a claim asserted in the action against the cross-claimant.
(2)When Codefendants Must Present Crossclaims. A defendant’s crossclaim against a codefendant must be stated when the defendant files an answer or other response to the complaint or counterclaim, unless an amendment is later allowed under Rule 15(a).
(g) Joining Additional Parties. Rules 19 and 20 govern the addition of a person as a party to a counterclaim or crossclaim.
(h) Separate Trials; Separate Judgments. If the court orders separate trials under Rule 42(b), it may enter judgment on a counterclaim or crossclaim under Rule 54(b) when it has jurisdiction to do so, even if the opposing party’s claims have been dismissed or otherwise resolved.

Ariz. R. Civ. P. 13

Amended effective January 1, 2017.