What is a cross-complaint?

A cross-complaint is a legal filing in civil procedure law in Maryland. It is a response to an original complaint that was filed with the court. The filing of a cross-complaint is a way for someone to have their own legal issues addressed without having to initiate an entirely new lawsuit. For example, if someone files a complaint against another party and alleges multiple causes of action, the other party may choose to file a cross-complaint. The cross-complaint allows the other party to bring their own legal claims against the original plaintiff. This means that the two parties are now “cross-complaining” against one another. In Maryland, a cross-complaint must be filed within the same lawsuit as the original complaint and must be heard together. The deadlines for filing a cross-complaint depend on which court has jurisdiction over the original complaint. Generally, one must file a cross complaint within the time provided by the court to answer the original complaint. Cross-complaints provide a cost-effective way for parties to have their legal issues addressed without having to initiate an entirely new lawsuit. As such, they can be a useful tool in resolving disputes but must be used with caution. To make sure that a cross complaint is properly filed and timely, it is important to seek the advice of a qualified attorney.

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What is a cross-complaint?

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