Opinion ID: 1893806
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Easiest Analysis: A Correct Result Here, But Wrong Reason

Text: The simplest answer is to hold that all claims by one party against a co-party are cross-claims and, as such, are never compulsory. Though it has the beauty of simplicity and works in this case, this analysis does not consistently yield the correct answer. The counterclaim rule is not limited to claims by a defendant against a plaintiff  Rule 55.32(a) does not use those labels. So it is possible for co-parties in some circumstances to be opposing parties, for example, when one co-party brings a claim for its own damages against another co-party. In that circumstance, they would be opposing parties  though both originally are co-defendants  and, thus, would be subject to the compulsory counterclaim rule.