Definition

1. Noun:
   • A judgment entered in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant defaults (fails to appear in court): A "default judgement" is a legal ruling issued by a court when the defendant in a lawsuit fails to respond to the complaint or fails to appear in court for a scheduled hearing. This judgement is typically in favor of the plaintiff, granting them the relief sought in their complaint.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The court issued a default judgement after the defendant repeatedly ignored the summons.
  • Without a defense presented, the plaintiff was awarded a default judgement.

Advanced Usage

• "to enter a default judgement": The formal legal act of a judge or court clerk recording the judgement due to the defendant's failure to act.

  • The judge had no choice but to enter a default judgement against the absent party.

• "to set aside a default judgement": A legal procedure where a defendant who has had a default judgement entered against them can ask the court to cancel or "vacate" that judgement, usually by showing a good reason for their initial failure to appear or respond.

  • The defendant's attorney filed a motion to set aside the default judgement, citing a medical emergency.

Variants and Related Words

• Default judgment: An alternative spelling, more common in American English.
• Judgement by default: A less common phrasing with the same meaning.
• Default (noun): The failure to fulfill an obligation, especially the failure to meet a financial obligation or to appear in court.

Synonyms

• Judgement in absentia: A judgement made while the defendant is absent. (Note: This term is often used in criminal contexts in some legal systems, while "default judgement" is typically civil.)
• Ex parte judgement: A judgement made for one party without the other being present or represented. (Note: This can have a broader application than default judgement.)

Related Phrases

• Failure to appear: The act of not showing up in court, which is the common cause for a default judgement.
• Failure to plead: The act of not responding to a legal complaint, which can also lead to a default judgement.

Noun

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