Definition

1. Noun:
   • A legal judgment entered in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant fails to appear in court or otherwise respond to a lawsuit: A "default judgment" is a ruling granted by a court when one party (typically the defendant) does not take the required action, such as failing to file an answer or appear at a scheduled hearing, thereby "defaulting" on their obligation to participate in the legal process.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The court issued a default judgment against the company after it failed to respond to the lawsuit.
  • If you do not file an answer to the complaint, the plaintiff may seek a default judgment.

Advanced Usage

• "to enter a default judgment": The formal act of the court recording the judgment due to the defendant's failure to act.
  • The clerk will enter a default judgment if no response is received within 30 days.
• "to set aside a default judgment": To ask the court to vacate or cancel a default judgment, usually by showing a good reason for the original failure to appear or respond.
  • The defendant's attorney filed a motion to set aside the default judgment, citing a medical emergency.

Variants and Related Words

• Default judgement (noun): An alternative spelling, primarily used in British English.
  • The principles for granting a default judgement are the same.
• Default (noun/verb): The failure to fulfill an obligation, especially a legal or financial one.
  • The defendant was in default for not appearing.
• Judgment by default (noun phrase): A less common phrasing with the same meaning.
  • The plaintiff obtained a judgment by default.

Synonyms

• Default decree: A less common synonym, often used interchangeably in some legal contexts.
• Judgment on default: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the condition triggering the judgment.

Related Phrases

• Motion for default judgment: A formal request filed by a plaintiff asking the court to grant a judgment due to the defendant's default.
  • The plaintiff's attorney submitted a motion for default judgment.

Noun

1. a judgment entered in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant defaults (fails to appear in court)