What is the effect of a default judgment?

A default judgment occurs when one party in a legal case fails to respond to a complaint or does not appear in court, allowing the other party to win the case automatically. This lack of response can be due to various reasons such as neglecting to file an answer or not showing up for a scheduled court hearing. The court will usually grant a default judgment in favor of the party that has fulfilled their legal obligations, assuming that their claims are well-founded and substantiated.

In this scenario, the court does not need to conduct a trial to determine the outcome, as the inaction of the other party effectively means they concede the matter at hand. The judgment serves as a legal decision on the claims made by the active party, leading to an automatic ruling in their favor based on the evidence presented. The other options suggest alternative outcomes, such as dismissing the entire case or requiring a trial, which do not accurately reflect the nature of a default judgment.