1. (1) A defendant is entitled to assert against a plaintiff, by pleading or amendment, any counterclaim arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff's claim against the defendant.
2. (2) The time period between the commencement and termination of an action is not part of the time limit for the commencement of an action by a defendant to recover for a counterclaim or to interpose it in that action or another action by the same plaintiff or a successor arising out of the same transaction or occurrence.

History: En. Sec. 553, C. Civ. Proc. 1895; re-en. Sec. 6470, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 9060, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 9060, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 93-2714; amd. Sec. 24, Ch. 12, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 441, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 603, Ch. 56, L. 2009.