A default judgment occurs when:

A default judgment occurs when:

• A. The claimant withdraws the claim
• B. Judgment is issued after the defendant files a defence
• C. The court awards damages without a hearing
• D. The defendant fails to respond in time

Answer: (D)

Default judgment happens when the defendant fails to respond to the claim within the time allowed. After the claim is served, the defendant must file a defence by a deadline. If that deadline passes without a defence (or any timely application to extend time), the claimant can apply for a default judgment. If granted, the court issues judgment for the claimant without a hearing, assuming proper service and no valid defence. The defendant can later apply to set aside the default judgment if they have a good reason, such as a mistake or inability to defend. This is the best answer because the defining trigger is the failure to respond in time. The other options describe different procedural steps (withdrawal ends the claim; a defence was filed; or a damages award without a hearing) which do not capture the key condition that creates a default judgment.

Default judgment happens when the defendant fails to respond to the claim within the time allowed. After the claim is served, the defendant must file a defence by a deadline. If that deadline passes without a defence (or any timely application to extend time), the claimant can apply for a default judgment. If granted, the court issues judgment for the claimant without a hearing, assuming proper service and no valid defence. The defendant can later apply to set aside the default judgment if they have a good reason, such as a mistake or inability to defend.

This is the best answer because the defining trigger is the failure to respond in time. The other options describe different procedural steps (withdrawal ends the claim; a defence was filed; or a damages award without a hearing) which do not capture the key condition that creates a default judgment.