In deciding whether to set aside a judgment of dismissal for failure of a party to appear, courts seek to balance two competing interests: (1) the need to promote judicial economy; and (2) the need to preserve an individual's right to have his day in court. Therefore, in addition to the requirement that plaintiff show that the judgment was entered through excusable neglect or another statutory ground, the court will consider a variety of factors, including:
- the nature and extent of the prejudice which may be suffered by the non-defaulting party if the judgment is set aside;
- the presence of material issues of fact;
- the presence of a meritorious claim;
- the significance of the interests at stake, including, but not limited to, the amount of money involved;
- whether the failure to appear was intentional or willful or the result of conscious indifference;
- whether party or counsel bears responsibility for default; and
- the availability of less drastic sanctions.
A Kansas Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Judgment of Dismissal Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, or Excusable Neglect and to Reinstate Cause of Action is a legal document filed by a party to a lawsuit who believes that the judgment of dismissal should be overturned due to certain circumstances. This motion allows the party to seek reinstatement of their cause of action and have the opportunity to present their case once again. In Kansas, there are a few different types of Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Judgment of Dismissal that individuals can file. These include: 1. Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Judgment of Dismissal Due to Mistake: This type of motion is filed when a party believes that the judgment of dismissal was made in error, either due to a mistake by the court or due to a mistake on the part of the opposing party. 2. Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Judgment of Dismissal Due to Inadvertence: This motion is used when the party argues that the judgment of dismissal was a result of inadvertent actions, such as miscommunication, lack of proper notice, or failure to submit required documents, which led to the dismissal. 3. Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Judgment of Dismissal Due to Excusable Neglect: This type of motion is filed when the party claims that the judgment of dismissal was a result of excusable neglect, meaning that there was a reasonable cause or excuse for the neglect that led to the dismissal. By filing this motion, the party is asking the court to reconsider their case and have the judgment of dismissal set aside. The party must provide a detailed explanation of the mistake, inadvertence, or excusable neglect that led to the dismissal. They should include any supporting evidence or documentation to strengthen their argument. It is crucial to establish that the dismissal was not the result of intentional misconduct or bad faith on the part of the party seeking the motion. This is important in order to convince the court that the motion should be granted and the cause of action reinstated. Overall, a Kansas Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Judgment of Dismissal Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, or Excusable Neglect and to Reinstate Cause of Action provides a legal recourse for parties who believe that their case was dismissed unfairly or due to reasons beyond their control.