What is the default when a defendant fails to respond?

When a defendant fails to respond to a complaint in a civil lawsuit, the default action is that the plaintiff is typically granted the relief sought, assuming all procedural requirements have been met. This occurs because the defendant's lack of response is treated as an admission of the allegations presented by the plaintiff. The court often interprets this failure to respond as an acknowledgment of the claims, allowing the plaintiff to receive a default judgment in their favor.

This process is designed to ensure that cases can proceed efficiently, even when one party chooses not to engage in the legal process. The court does not dismiss the case or delay proceedings indefinitely in the absence of a response; rather, it takes the default as an opportunity to resolve the matter based on the information available, supporting the principle of efficient case management in the judicial system.