filed a countersuit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filed a countersuit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts when a defendant responds to a lawsuit by initiating a separate legal action against the plaintiff. Example: "After being sued for breach of contract, the company filed a countersuit claiming damages for defamation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Ali has filed a countersuit.

The New York Times

Last month she filed a countersuit, for malpractice.

The New York Times

Mr. Strauss-Kahn later filed a countersuit, saying the housekeeper's statements had damaged his political career.

The New York Times

The European Union has also filed a countersuit at the W.T.O.

The New York Times

The firm denied the charges at the time, fired Mr. Charney and filed a countersuit.

The New York Times

Mr. Rubenstein said he had filed a countersuit in State Supreme Court, alleging breach of contract.

The New York Times

The A.P. filed a countersuit in March, saying Mr. Fairey misappropriated its rights to that image.

The New York Times - Arts

Zuckerberg denies any wrongdoing, and in November, 2004, Facebook filed a countersuit, charging ConnectU with defamation.

The New Yorker

In response, Perdue filed a countersuit and asked for $150m in damages.

The Guardian

Goldman has even filed a countersuit against Ms. Baker, contending that by suing Goldman she had breached the contract.

The New York Times

And the Sofields have filed a countersuit to keep their neighbors from using West Bay Drive, further complicating the matter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider specifying the basis for the countersuit, such as "filed a countersuit alleging breach of contract", to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "filed a countersuit" when the action is simply a defense within the same lawsuit; a countersuit is a separate, independent claim against the original plaintiff, not just a denial or argument against the initial claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filed a countersuit" functions as a verb phrase indicating a legal action taken by a defendant in response to an initial lawsuit. It describes the action of formally submitting a separate claim against the plaintiff, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "filed a countersuit" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a defendant's legal response to an initial lawsuit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in news and media, indicating its relevance in reporting legal proceedings. When using this phrase, it's crucial to understand that a countersuit is a separate legal action, not just a defense against the original claim. Alternatives like "lodged a counterclaim" or "submitted a cross-complaint" can be used for variety, but understanding the nuances of each term ensures accurate communication. Awareness of such alternatives enriches legal language and facilitates precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lodged a counterclaim

Replaces "filed" with "lodged", implying a formal submission of a claim in opposition to another.

submitted a cross-complaint

Replaces "countersuit" with "cross-complaint", which is a more formal legal term for a defendant's claim against the plaintiff.

initiated a retaliatory suit

Focuses on the retaliatory aspect of the action, emphasizing the intent to respond to an initial suit.

brought a counteraction

Uses "counteraction" to denote a legal response to an initial action, maintaining a similar level of formality.

responded with a lawsuit

General term indicating a legal response, less specific than "countersuit".

pursued a legal recourse

Indicates seeking a legal remedy in response to a prior action or claim.

defended with litigation

Highlights the defensive nature of the legal action.

appealed the decision

Focuses specifically on appealing a previous legal ruling, rather than initiating a new claim.

contested the charges

Indicates disputing or challenging the allegations made in the initial suit.

countered with legal action

A more generic term signifying a legal response to an action.

FAQs

What does it mean to file a countersuit?

Filing a countersuit means that the defendant in a lawsuit initiates their own lawsuit against the original plaintiff. It's a separate legal action taken in response to the initial claim.

When is it appropriate to file a countersuit?

It's appropriate to file a countersuit when the defendant believes they have a valid legal claim against the plaintiff arising from the same events or transaction as the original lawsuit.

What are some alternatives to saying "filed a countersuit"?

You can use alternatives like "lodged a counterclaim", "submitted a cross-complaint", or "initiated a retaliatory suit" depending on the context.

How does filing a countersuit affect the original lawsuit?

Filing a countersuit can complicate the original lawsuit, potentially leading to both claims being heard together in court, or being settled together. It does not dismiss the original lawsuit.