Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Default judgment definition

What does Default judgment mean? In civil litigation, a default judgment is a court order deciding a claim without a trial because the defendant has not responded in time—typically by failing to file an acknowledgment of service or a defence after valid service. In England and Wales, this is governed by the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) Part 12, with applications to set aside or vary under CPR Part 13 where the judgment was irregularly entered or the defendant shows a real prospect of successfully defending the claim or another good reason. In Northern Ireland, comparable provisions exist in the Rules of the...

England and Wales: CPR PD 51V video hearings pilot for set-aside of default judgments (2020–2021)—scope, conditions and procedure [Archived]

Published by a LexisNexis Dispute Resolution expert

Practice notes

ARCHIVED :

Practice Direction 51V (cpr PD 51V) establishes a pilot under which applications to set aside default judgments made pursuant to CPR 12 are heard by video. This mechanism is distinct from the coronavirus pandemic arrangements that facilitated remote hearings. For further guidance, see Practice Note: Remote and hybrid hearings in civil proceedings.

The pilot operates in the Birmingham or Manchester Civil Justice Centres and applies automatically unless a party objects or chooses to opt out. The scheme is described in the schedule to the 115th Update—Practice Direction amendments. It has been extended, with the 122nd Update—Practice Direction Amendments confirming it will continue until 31 March 2021.

This Practice Notice addresses the second video hearings pilot scheme. Note that both the original pilot and this successor bear the same title and share the same practice direction reference. For the rationale behind introducing a second pilot, see News Analysis: Minutes of the CPR Committee meeting—6 December 2019. For guidance on the earlier scheme, consult Practice Note: Default judgment—video hearings pilot scheme (CPR PD 51V)...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...