What is a "default judgment"?

A "default judgment" refers to a judgment in favor of one party when the opposing party fails to respond or appear in court to contest the claims made against them. This typically happens in civil cases where the defendant does not file an answer or respond within the time allowed, leading the court to assume that the non-responding party is not contesting the claims. Consequently, the court may enter a default judgment, granting the requesting party the relief they sought, often without a trial. This mechanism is intended to ensure that a party cannot evade legal responsibilities simply by not participating in the legal process.

In various legal contexts, default judgments ensure efficiency and uphold the principle that parties should engage in good faith within litigation. Such judgments can include monetary damages or other forms of relief as specified in the plaintiff's complaint. Because of the significant implications of default judgments, courts typically require the party seeking the judgment to demonstrate that they have made reasonable attempts to notify the other party of the proceedings.