A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Reconvention is a legal term used in civil law that refers to the act of making a counterclaim. A counterclaim is a claim for relief made by the opposing party after an original claim has been made. It is also known as a countersuit or cross-demand.

Example: If a plaintiff sues a defendant for breach of contract, the defendant may file a counterclaim for damages caused by the plaintiff's breach of the same contract. This is an example of reconvention.

Reconvention is an important legal concept because it allows both parties to present their claims and defenses in a single lawsuit, which can save time and resources. It also ensures that all related claims are resolved in one proceeding, avoiding the need for multiple lawsuits.

There are two types of counterclaims: compulsory and permissive. Compulsory counterclaims must be asserted in the original action because they relate to the opposing party's claim and arise out of the same subject matter. Failure to assert a compulsory counterclaim in the original action may result in the claim being barred in a later separate action. Permissive counterclaims, on the other hand, need not be asserted in the original action because they do not arise out of the same subject matter as the opposing party's claim or involve third parties over which the court does not have jurisdiction.