In California civil litigation, a cross-complaint is a legal document filed by a defendant to assert claims against the plaintiff, co-defendants, or third parties within the same lawsuit. It allows the defendant to raise additional issues related to the plaintiff’s original complaint or bring other parties into the dispute, such as through claims for indemnity or contribution. This process helps consolidate related claims, streamlining the legal proceedings by addressing multiple parties and claims in a single case.
Filing a cross-complaint can significantly expand the scope of the litigation, allowing the defendant to assert their own legal rights and defenses while also bringing third parties into the case who may share responsibility for the alleged harm. The cross-complaint must meet the same jurisdictional and procedural requirements as the original complaint, and it can be amended if necessary during the course of the case. By allowing defendants to introduce their own claims and defenses early in the process, the cross-complaint promotes efficiency, ensuring that all related issues are resolved in one legal action.
