Definition:

A default judgment is a judgment (order) issued by a court in favor of the plaintiff in a case in which the defendant fails to defend his or her case. A default judgment can occur if the defendant fails to acknowledge the notice, fails to appear, or fails to defend the case. Sometimes a default judgment is issued against a defendant who fails to comply with an order of the court.

In small claims court, for example, a default judgment is entered if the defendant fails to appear at the small claims trial date.