A default judgment is a judgment rendered by the court in a case after the defendant has been declared in default. It is based on the plaintiff's complaint or after receiving the plaintiff's evidence.

Judgment by default is rendered when the defending party fails to file their answer within the time allowed. It can also be rendered as an exception even if an answer has been filed, such as when a party refuses to obey an order to comply with modes of discovery or willfully fails to appear for a deposition or serve answers to interrogatories.

The relief awarded in a judgment rendered against a party in default cannot exceed the amount or be different in kind from that prayed for in the complaint, nor can it award unliquidated damages.

A default judgment is a final and appealable judgment, unlike an order of default which is interlocutory and non-appealable.