ORCP 69: Default Orders and Judgments

A In general.

A(1) When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has been served with summons pursuant to Rule 7 or is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the court and has failed to appear by filing a motion or answer, or otherwise to defend as provided in these rules or applicable statute, the party seeking affirmative relief may apply for an order of default and a judgment by default by filing motions and affidavits or declarations in compliance with this rule.

A(2) The provisions of this rule apply whether the party entitled to an order of default and judgment by default is a plaintiff, a third party plaintiff, or a party who has pleaded a counterclaim or cross-claim.

A(3) In all cases a judgment by default is subject to the provisions of Rule 67 B.

B Intent to appear; notice of intent to apply for an order of default.

B(1) For the purposes of avoiding a default, a party may provide written notice of intent to file an appearance to a plaintiff, counterclaimant, or cross-claimant.

B(2) If the party against whom an order of default is sought has filed an appearance in the action, or has provided written notice of intent to file an appearance, then notice of the intent to apply for an order of default must be filed and served at least 10 days, unless shortened by the court, prior to applying for the order of default. The notice of intent to apply for an order of default cannot be served before the time required by Rule 7 C(2) or other applicable rule or statute has expired. The notice of intent to apply for an order of default must be in the form prescribed by Uniform Trial Court Rule 2.010 and must be filed with the court and served on the party against whom an order of default is sought.

C Motion for order of default.

C(1) The party seeking default must file a motion for order of default. That motion must be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration to support that default is appropriate, and must contain facts sufficient to establish the following:

C(1)(a) that the party to be defaulted has been served with summons pursuant to Rule 7 or is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the court;

C(1)(b) that the party against whom the order of default is sought has failed to appear by filing a motion or answer, or otherwise to defend as provided by these rules or applicable statute;

C(1)(c) whether written notice of intent to appear has been received by the movant and, if so, whether written notice of intent to apply for an order of default was filed and served at least 10 days, or any shortened period of time ordered by the court, prior to filing the motion;

C(1)(d) whether, to the best knowledge and belief of the party seeking an order of default, the party against whom judgment is sought is or is not incapacitated as defined in ORS 125.005, a minor, a protected person as defined in ORS 125.005, or a respondent as defined in ORS 125.005; and

C(1)(e) whether the party against whom the order is sought is or is not a person in the military service, or stating that the movant is unable to determine whether or not the party against whom the order is sought is in the military service as required by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.

C(2) If the party seeking default states in the affidavit or declaration that the party against whom the order is sought:

C(2)(a) is incapacitated as defined in ORS 125.005, a minor, a protected person as defined in ORS 125.005, or a respondent as defined in ORS 125.005, an order of default may be entered against the party against whom the order is sought only if a guardian ad litem has been appointed or the party is represented by another person as described in Rule 27; or

C(2)(b) is a person in the military service, an order of default may be entered against the party against whom the order is sought only in accordance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

C(3) The court may grant an order of default if it appears that the motion and affidavit or declaration have been filed in good faith and that good cause is shown that entry of the order is proper.

D Motion for judgment by default.

D(1) A party seeking a judgment by default must file a motion, supported by affidavit or declaration. Specifically, the moving party must show:

D(1)(a) that an order of default has been granted or is being applied for contemporaneously;

D(1)(b) what relief is sought, including any amounts due as claimed in the pleadings;

D(1)(c) whether costs, disbursements, and/or attorney fees are allowable based on a contract, statute, rule, or other legal provision, in which case a party may include costs, disbursements, and attorney fees to be awarded pursuant to Rule 68.

D(2) The form of judgment submitted must comply with all applicable rules and statutes.

D(3) The court, acting in its discretion, may conduct a hearing, make an order of reference, or make an order that issues be tried by a jury, as it deems necessary and proper, in order to enable the court to determine the amount of damages, to establish the truth of any averment by evidence, or to make an investigation of any other matter. The court may determine the truth of any matter upon affidavits or declarations.

E Certain motor vehicle cases. No order of default may be entered against a defendant served with summons pursuant to Rule 7 D(4)(a)(i) unless, in addition to the requirements in Rule 7 D(4)(a)(i), the plaintiff submits an affidavit or a declaration showing:

E(1) that the plaintiff has complied with Rule 7 D(4)(a)(i);

E(2) whether the identity of the defendant's insurance carrier is known to the plaintiff or could be determined from any records of the Department of Transportation accessible to the plaintiff; and

E(3) if the identity of the defendant's insurance carrier is known, that the plaintiff not less than 30 days prior to the application for an order of default mailed a copy of the summons and the complaint, together with notice of intent to apply for an order of default, to the insurance carrier by first class mail and by any of the following: certified, registered, or express mail, return receipt requested; or that the identity of the defendant's insurance carrier is unknown to the plaintiff.

F Setting aside an order of default or judgment by default. For good cause shown, the court may set aside an order of default. If a judgment by default has been entered, the court may set it aside in accordance with Rule 71 B and Rule 71 C.