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 Puerto Rico Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect refers to a legal procedure that allows a party to seek relief from a default judgment previously entered against them. This type of motion is filed when a party believes that the default judgment was unjust or incorrect due to certain circumstances. In Puerto Rico, like in other jurisdictions, there may be different types of motions to vacate or set aside entry of default and default judgments. Some of these may include: 1. Mistake: This type of motion could be filed when a mistake or error occurred, leading to the entry of default and default judgment. Examples could include misunderstandings, clerical errors, or legal misinterpretations that caused the default. 2. Inadvertence: When a party unintentionally fails to respond or appears in court, they may file a motion based on inadvertence. This could occur due to factors like mail delivery problems, confusion surrounding court dates, or a lack of legal representation at the time. 3. Surprise: In some cases, a party may claim surprise as a reason to vacate or set aside a default judgment. This could happen when a party is taken aback by new evidence presented by the opposing side during the legal proceedings, which they were unaware of before the default judgment was entered. 4. Excusable Neglect: This type of motion is commonly used when a party's neglect in responding to legal actions or appearing in court was reasonable and excusable. For instance, if a party experienced a serious illness, was involved in an accident, or faced other extenuating circumstances which hindered their ability to respond or appear in court, they may argue excusable neglect. When filing a Puerto Rico Motion to Vacate or Set Aside Entry of Default and Default Judgment Due to Mistake, Inadvertence, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect, the party should provide detailed explanations and supporting evidence to justify their claim. It is important to consult with a qualified attorney knowledgeable in Puerto Rican law to ensure compliance with specific procedural requirements and increase the chances of a successful motion.
