In deciding whether to set aside a default judgment, 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 defend on the merits. Therefore, in addition to the requirement that defendant 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 default is set aside;
" the presence of material issues of fact;
" the presence of a meritorious defense to the claim;
" the significance of the interests at stake, including, but not limited to, the amount of money involved;
" whether the failure to answer 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 Pennsylvania Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect is a legal procedure that allows a party to request the court to overturn a default judgment that has been entered against them. This motion is based on the grounds that there was a mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect that led to the default judgment. In Pennsylvania, there are different types of motions to vacate or set aside entry of default and default judgment due to the aforementioned reasons. These may include: 1. Mistake: A motion based on mistake asserts that there was an error or misunderstanding by the defendant or their legal representation, which resulted in the failure to respond to the plaintiff's complaint within the required time frame. 2. Inadvertence: Inadvertence refers to unintentional actions or oversights that led to the default judgment. For example, if the defendant did not receive proper notice of the lawsuit or was unable to respond due to extenuating circumstances like hospitalization or being out of the country. 3. Surprise: Surprising circumstances may warrant a motion to set aside a default judgment. For instance, the defendant might argue that they were blindsided by new or unexpected evidence presented by the plaintiff during the trial or that they were unaware of critical information that could have influenced their defense. 4. Excusable Neglect: This type of motion claims that the defendant's failure to respond in a timely manner was due to circumstances beyond their control. It may involve factors like illness, family emergencies, or reliance on incorrect legal advice. When filing a motion to vacate or set aside entry of default and default judgment in Pennsylvania, it is crucial to provide detailed and convincing evidence supporting the grounds stated in the motion. Supporting documentation, affidavits, or witness statements may be necessary to strengthen the argument. It is important to note that the court has discretion in deciding whether to grant or deny the motion. The defendant must convince the court that their failure to respond was genuinely due to a mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect. The court will consider factors such as the timeliness of the motion, the reasons presented, and the potential prejudice to the opposing party. In conclusion, a Pennsylvania Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect provides an opportunity for a defendant to challenge a default judgment entered against them by demonstrating that their failure to respond was due to legitimate reasons. By filing this motion, the defendant seeks to have the default judgment overturned, allowing them to present their case and potentially avoid the adverse consequences of a default judgment.
