Find definitions of legal terms to help understand the federal court system.
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D
- Declaratory judgment
A legal determination of a court defining the rights and obligations of litigants to resolve legal uncertainty.
- Default judgment
A judgment rendered in favor of the plaintiff because of the defendant’s failure to answer or appear to contest the plaintiff’s claim.
J
- Judgment
The official decision of a court finally resolving the dispute between the parties to the lawsuit.
S
- Summary judgment
A decision made on the basis of statements and evidence presented for the record without a trial. It is used when it is not necessary to resolve any factual disputes in the case. Summary judgment is granted when — on the undisputed facts in the record — one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.