Opinion ID: 2455402
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Concluding Observations

Text: It is also important to consider the very large judgment, the relatively slight error, and the short time within which the answer was filed, and to balance these against the plaintiff's counsel's manifestly inequitable conduct. On this point the Restatement notes: [T]he decision involves taking account of several incommensurable factors, some relating to the particular case and others to the larger system of administered justice. The factors relating to the particular case include the magnitude and consequences of the judgment, the relative clarity with which it appears the judgment was unjust, the relative fault of the parties ..., the requirements of diligence..., and the equities in the interests in reliance. (Emphasis added). Restatement (Second) of Judgments § 74 comment g. I cannot summarize better than Judge Robert E. Crist of the Missouri Court of Appeals did at an earlier stage of this case: A default judgment taken after a defendant has negligently failed to file responsive pleadings becomes a valid, enforceable judgment absent a timely appeal and absent unusual circumstances. I believe there was an unusual circumstance in this caseplaintiff's knowledge and concealment of defendant's negligence within sufficient time to have prevented the judgment from becoming final. Plaintiff had the last clear chance to prevent defendant from being in default. A plaintiff should not be unjustly enriched by defendant's negligent failure to plead where plaintiff has actual knowledge of such negligence and has the means to avoid the finality of a default judgment. I believe the consequences to this defendant of a final, default judgment, when compared to the consequences to this plaintiff of having to prove his case, demand a trial on the merits. It will not do to say that the balancing of the equities is for the trial court and not for this Court, first, because the facts are not in dispute, and, second, because it is our primary responsibility to formulate and to enhance standards for the legal profession. [7] I would vacate the default judgment and remand so that the case may proceed to trial.