What is a cross-complaint?

A cross-complaint refers specifically to a legal document filed by a defendant in a lawsuit against one or more parties who have brought a claim against them. It allows the defendant to assert their own claims or rights in response to those initiated by the plaintiff. This legal mechanism ensures that related disputes can be resolved in a single lawsuit, streamlining the judicial process and potentially saving time and resources for both the court and the parties involved.

In contrast, the other options describe different legal concepts. A complaint by a plaintiff is the initial document that starts a lawsuit against a defendant. A formal rebuttal of evidence does not correspond with the concept of a cross-complaint, nor does a request to dismiss a lawsuit capture the essence of a cross-complaint, which is geared towards the defendant’s own claims rather than dismissing the case altogether.