DEFAULT JUDGMENT

default  judgment.  1.  A  judgment  entered  against  a  defendant  who  has  failed  to  plead  or

otherwise  defend against the  plaintiff’s  claim. [Cases: Federal Civil Procedure    2411; Judgment

92. C.J.S. Judgments §§ 195–196, 208, 235.] 2. A judgment entered as a penalty against a party

who does not comply with an order, esp. an order to comply with a discovery request. See Fed. R.

Civ.  P.  55(b).  —  Also  termed  judgment  by  default.  See  JUDGMENT.  [Cases:  Federal  Civil

Procedure    1278, 2820.]

nil dicit default judgment (nil dI-sit). [Latin “he says nothing”] A judgment for the plaintiff

entered after the defendant fails to file a timely answer, often after the defendant appeared in the

case by filing a preliminary motion. — Also termed nihil dicit default judgment; judgment by nil

dicit. — Often shortened to nihil dicit. [Cases: Judgment    106. C.J.S. Judgments § 212.]

no-answer default judgment.A judgment for the plaintiff entered after the  defendant fails to

timely answer or otherwise appear. [Cases: Judgment    106. C.J.S. Judgments § 212.] D

post-answer default judgment.A judgment for the plaintiff entered after the defendant files an

answer, but fails to appear at trial or otherwise provide a defense on the merits. [Cases: Judgment

109. C.J.S. Judgments § 211.] [Blacks Law 8th]