Rule 502.6.Counterclaim; Cross-Claim; Third Party Claim
Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 502.6 lets a defendant file a counterclaim against the plaintiff, within the court's jurisdiction, and lets a party seek a cross-claim against another party on the same side or bring in a third party who may be liable.
(a)Counterclaim. A defendant may file a petition stating as a counterclaim any claim against a plaintiff that is within the jurisdiction of the justice court, whether or not related to the claims in the plaintiff’s petition. The defendant must file a counterclaim petition as provided in Rule 502.2, and must pay a filing fee or provide a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. The court need not generate a citation for a counterclaim and no answer to the counterclaim need be filed. The defendant must serve a copy of the counterclaim as provided by Rule 501.4.
(b)Cross-Claim. A plaintiff seeking relief against another plaintiff, or a defendant seeking relief against another defendant may file a cross-claim. The filing party must file a cross-claim petition as provided in Rule 502.2, and must pay a filing fee or provide a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. A citation must be issued and served as provided by Rule 501.2 on any party that has not yet filed a petition or an answer, as appropriate. If the party filed against has filed a petition or an answer, the filing party must serve the cross-claim as provided by Rule 501.4.
(c)Third Party Claim. A defendant seeking to bring another party into a lawsuit who may be liable for all or part of the plaintiff’s claim against the defendant may file a petition as provided in Rule 502.2, and must pay a filing fee or provide a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. A citation must be issued and served as provided by Rule 501.2.
End
Plain-English Summary
Rule 502.6 lets a case grow beyond the plaintiff's claim. A defendant may file a petition stating a counterclaim against the plaintiff, within the court's jurisdiction. A plaintiff may bring a cross-claim against another plaintiff, or a defendant against another defendant, on the same side of the case. And a defendant may bring in a third party who may be liable for all or part of the plaintiff's claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you countersue in Texas justice court?
Yes. Rule 502.6 lets a defendant file a counterclaim against the plaintiff, within the court's jurisdiction.
Can two defendants in the same Texas justice court case sue each other?
Yes, through a cross-claim under Rule 502.6, when one defendant seeks relief from another defendant on the same side of the case.
How do you bring a third party into a Texas justice court lawsuit?
File a petition under Rule 502.2, pay the filing fee or file a Statement of Inability, and have a citation issued and served under Rule 501.2, as Rule 502.6 requires.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 502.6), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:counterclaim justice courtcross-claimthird party claimTRCP 502.6