Opinion ID: 429189
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Was it Error to Enter Default Against Perez

Text: 42 The last point raised by Iberbroker is that it was an error to enter default against Perez. In examining this point we have trouble understanding the theory under which Iberbroker raises this issue and what it hopes to ultimately gain by it. 43 We cannot find anywhere evidence that Perez took an appeal from the judgment of the District Court. Appellees raised the lack of standing of Iberbroker to appeal the same. 44 We have previously held that only a person who was a party to the proceeding below and who is aggrieved by the judgment or order is entitled to appeal. Securities & Exch. Comm'n. v. An-Car Oil Co., Inc., 604 F.2d 114, 119 (1st Cir.1979); see also, Torres v. Toledo, 586 F.2d 858, 860 (1st Cir.1978); Deposit Guaranty Nat. Bank v. Roper, 445 U.S. 326, 333, 100 S.Ct. 1166, 1171, 63 L.Ed.2d 427 (1979). The judgment is clear that Iberbroker was found independently liable to the shipowner. Under the reasoning of the District Court Iberbroker's liability does not depend upon whether Perez is or is not liable. On appeal Iberbroker does not challenge this rationale. While Iberbroker does challenge the finding that it had breached the charter party, it does not explain what this has to do with Perez. 45 Second, we find it hard to sympathize with a defendant who was served with proper summons sometime in the summer of 1978 and does not move for an extension to plead or move to dismiss, and indeed does nothing, until the winter of 1979, and then only after default had been requested. More startling to us is the fact that even after default had been requested, all that Perez did was to file a one-page motion stating only that: 2. This Court lacks jurisdiction over said defendant as will more fully appear. 46 On the record we cannot find anywhere that any attempt was ever made by Perez to support this with any memorandum of law or affidavits. Instead, it chose to remain silent. On June 18, 1982, the District Court entered an order hinting that it thought that jurisdiction might be lacking as to Perez, but that it would allow discovery on this point. The fact that Perez did not answer the interrogatories on jurisdiction was the straw that broke the camel's back. Because it never squarely presented the issue of lack of personal jurisdiction to the District Court, it should not now be allowed to argue through Iberbroker that the District Court erred in entering default. 47