When money damages are awarded on both a claim and a counterclaim, judgment shall be entered for the excess of one over the other.
Rule 2-615.Judgment on claim and counterclaim
Circuit Court · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceWhen a court awards money damages on both a claim and a counterclaim, Rule 2-615 requires a single net judgment for the excess of the larger award over the smaller one.
Full Text of Rule 2-615
Committee Note & Source
Source. This Rule is derived from former Rule 605 b.
Plain-English Summary
Instead of entering two separate money judgments — one for the plaintiff on the claim, another for the defendant on the counterclaim — this rule has the court net the two awards and enter a single judgment for whichever side came out ahead, in the amount of the difference. That keeps the parties from having to collect from each other on offsetting judgments.
The rule applies specifically to money damages awarded on both sides. If the awards on the claim and counterclaim happen to be equal, netting them leaves no excess for either side. And because the rule speaks to money damages, an award of non-monetary relief — an injunction, for example — falls outside this netting mechanism and is addressed on its own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the claim and counterclaim damages awards are exactly equal?
Because the rule directs judgment for the excess of one award over the other, equal awards leave no excess, so netting them results in no separate money judgment for either side.
Does this rule apply if the counterclaim wins an injunction instead of money?
The rule speaks specifically to money damages awarded on both the claim and the counterclaim. Non-monetary relief isn't part of the netting calculation this rule requires.
Why enter one judgment instead of two?
A single net judgment reflects the actual balance owed between the parties, rather than leaving both sides holding separate judgments against each other for amounts that largely cancel out.
Where does this rule come from?
The source note traces it to former Rule 605 b.
Source & verification. Rule text, Committee Note, Source note, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Maryland Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Maryland. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: judgment on claim and counterclaimnet judgment setoff marylandoffsetting judgment damagescounterclaim damages judgment