nil dicit default judgment

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A nil dicit default judgment is a judgment for the plaintiff after defendant fails to file a timely answer or response to a properly-served complaint. The term "nihil dicit" means "he says nothing" in Latin, indicating the defendant's lack of response. This can happen in civil cases, such as breach of contract or personal injury lawsuits. The defendant's failure to respond is seen as an admission of guilt, and the plaintiff is awarded damages or other relief as a result.

[Last updated in July of 2023 by the Wex Definitions Team]