judgment by default
Noun: A legal judgment issued by a court in favor of the plaintiff because the defendant failed to respond to a lawsuit or failed to appear in court. It is a ruling granted due to the defendant's inaction or non-compliance with court procedures.
This term is used specifically in legal contexts to describe the outcome of a civil case when one party does not participate. * The creditor obtained a judgment by default after the debtor failed to file an answer to the lawsuit. * The court entered a judgment by default when the defendant did not appear for the scheduled hearing.
- "To take a judgment by default": This phrase describes the plaintiff's action of requesting and receiving this type of judgment due to the defendant's default.
- The plaintiff's attorney moved to take a judgment by default after the 30-day response period expired.
- Default judgment: This is a more common variant with the same meaning. The terms "judgment by default" and "default judgment" are used interchangeably.
- The court clerk processed the paperwork for a default judgment.
- Default (n.): In law, the failure to perform a legal duty, such as responding to a court summons or making a payment.
- Default judgment: The direct synonym.
- Judgment on default: A less common but equivalent phrasing.
The core meaning is strictly legal. The word "judgment" alone has broader meanings (e.g., an opinion, the ability to make decisions), and "default" alone can mean a failure to pay or a standard setting. However, the compound term "judgment by default" refers exclusively to this specific legal procedure.
- a judgment entered in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant defaults (fails to appear in court)