Section 17-33.When Judgment May Be Rendered after a Default

Rule 17-33 covers judgment after default. If a defendant is defaulted for failing to appear for trial, the plaintiff may introduce evidence and the judicial authority may render judgment without giving the defendant notice.

Because a default keeps the defendant from raising any further defense on liability, the judicial authority may render judgment in foreclosure cases, similar actions, and summary process actions at or after the time it enters the default itself — even though Section 17-32(b) would otherwise require a separate step — as long as the plaintiff has also moved for judgment and submitted any necessary affidavits of debt, accounts, or sworn statements in proper form. In contract actions with liquidated damages, the judicial authority may likewise render judgment if the plaintiff has moved for judgment and submitted the affidavits and attachments required by Section 17-25(b)(1). If testimony must be taken before judgment, the procedures in Section 17-34 apply.