In a civil action, a defendant who files a counterclaim by way of set-off shall be deemed to have brought an action at the time of filing the counterclaim for the matters mentioned therein.
D.C. Code § 13-501
Counterclaim by way of set-off as an action by defendant
Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 516, Pub
Official source: D.C. Law Library (Council of the District of Columbia). Reproduced from public-domain District of Columbia statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.