Rule 3.10 - Counterclaims, Cross-claims and Third-Party Claims(a)Compulsory Counterclaims. A pleading shall state as a counterclaim any claim which at the time of serving the pleader has against any opposing party, if it arises out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the opposing party's claim and does not require for its adjudication the presence of third parties over whom the court cannot acquire jurisdiction.(b)Permissive Counterclaims. A pleading may state as a counterclaim against an opposing party any claim that is not compulsory so long as a right of action existed thereon at the time of the filing of the complaint.(c) A pleading may state as a cross-claim any claim by one party against a co-party which arises out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the original action or of a counterclaim therein.(d) Unless otherwise provided by law, whenever a third party may be liable to a defendant in any pending action for any of the plaintiff's claim against said defendant, or if said defendant may have a claim against a third party depending upon the determination of an issue or issues in said pending action, said defendant may bring an action against said third party and, unless otherwise ordered on motion of any party, such action will be consolidated for trial with the pending action or, if justice requires, said third party may be made a party to the pending action, for the purpose of being bound by the determination of any common issues. However, except for good cause shown to prevent injustice and upon such terms as the court may order, no such action will be consolidated with or said third party joined in said pending action, unless suit is brought against said third party within 30 days following filing of the defendant's Answer in said pending action.(e) A third party against whom an action is brought in accordance with this rule and a plaintiff against whom a counterclaim has been filed may, under the same circumstances prescribed by this rule, use the same procedure with respect to another person and the same time limitation shall apply, except that as to a plaintiff the 30 days will begin to run on the date the counterclaim is filed.(f) This rule shall not be construed to limit or abridge in any way the existing common law practice of joining parties in pending actions whenever justice and convenience require, or the giving of notice to third parties to come in and defend any pending action or be bound by the outcome thereof.(g) This rule does not apply to a defendant who contends that a third party is solely liable to the plaintiff or to a defendant in a tort action as to a possible joint tortfeasor against whom said defendant has no right to contribution or reimbursement.(h) For convenience, to avoid prejudice, or to expedite and economize, the court may order a separate trial of one or more separate issues, claims, crossclaims, counterclaims or third-party claims.N.H. R. Cir. Ct. Dist. Div. 3.10
Amended effective 9/30/2019; amended effective 1/1/2020.