Judgment in Default - A Bite Sized Update

Introduction

Representing claimants, dispute lawyers often hope to be able to obtain a default judgment rather than having to prove the claim on the balance of probabilities at a trial. It is a useful short-cut if the defendant neglects to respond on time to the service of the claim form, the particulars of claim and the defendant’s response pack. Or simply does not respond at all.

When can a default judgment be entered, and is it available to a claimant in every type of claim?

Considering matters from the point of view of a defendant, which steps should be taken if a default judgment is entered? What chances of success will a defendant have?

What You Will Learn

This short webinar will cover the following:

• Why defendants allow default judgments to happen
• Restrictions on claimants entering default judgments in some claims
• The Edward v Okeke conundrum - can the claimant choose its own value for a judgment on an unliquidated claim when the defendant fails to respond?
• Joint liability claims - the risk of choosing the wrong defendant against which to enter a judgment
• Speed in applying to set aside a default judgment - what is meant by ‘promptly’?
• Is an application under CPR 13.3 also an application for relief from sanctions under CPR 3.9?
• What is the impact on a claimant’s enforcement steps if the subject of a default judgment applies to set it aside?

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Thursday 10th July 2025

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 1,700+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.