Legal Dictionary
Default Judgment
Definition
A binding judgment in favor of either party based on some failure to take action by the other party.
Deep Dive
A default judgment is a binding judicial decision rendered by a court in favor of one party, based on the other party's failure to take a required action in a lawsuit. This often occurs when a defendant fails to respond to a summons and complaint within the legally stipulated timeframe, or when a party fails to appear in court or comply with other procedural deadlines. It is essentially a procedural victory for the diligent party, granted without a full trial on the merits of the case.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1A credit card company sues a debtor for unpaid balances, and the debtor fails to respond to the court summons, leading the court to issue a default judgment in favor of the credit card company.
- 2A landlord sues a tenant for unpaid rent and property damage; when the tenant fails to appear for the scheduled court hearing, the judge enters a default judgment against them.
- 3A small business is sued for breach of contract, but its owner, unfamiliar with legal procedures, neglects to file the required defensive pleadings, resulting in a default judgment for the plaintiff.
Related Terms
SummonsPleadingMotion to VacateSummary Judgment