What is defined as a "default judgment"?

A default judgment is defined as a judgment rendered in favor of one party due to the other party's failure to respond. This situation typically arises in civil proceedings when a defendant does not respond to a complaint or does not appear in court. The court may then decide to grant a default judgment to the plaintiff because the defendant has effectively forfeited their right to contest the claims by not engaging in the legal process.

This concept is essential in civil litigation as it emphasizes the importance of responding to legal documents in a timely manner, as failure to do so can lead to automatically losing the case, regardless of its merits. Default judgments can be a significant tool for plaintiffs, ensuring that they can obtain relief when a defendant chooses to ignore the court's authority or the legal process.