GENERAL DENIAL; COUNTER-CLAIM

(a) General denial. A denial by the defendant of the statement of claim shall be deemed to render available to the defendant any other matter constituting an avoidance, affirmative defense, or set-off. (b) Counterclaim. If the defendant asserts a counterclaim, a formal and concise plea shall be filed. A counterclaim may be in the form of a statement of claim. Any counterclaim for the recovery of money may be asserted in the small claims division if it could be asserted in the regular division of the district court. Service of the counterclaim may be made by mail. (c) Separate trial. Rule 42(b) of the District Court Rules of Civil Procedure applies to a counterclaim. (Amended December 10, 2003, effective January 1, 2004.)