What is the legal test for a motion to set aside a default judgment?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from City Breeze, LLC v. Shahi, B259117 (Cal. App. 2016):

The Code of Civil Procedure establishes several statutory avenues to set aside default judgments.3 Section 473, subdivision (b) permits a court to set aside a judgment on the ground of "mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect." A motion seeking relief under this subdivision must be brought within "a reasonable time, in no case exceeding six months" after the judgment was taken. (Ibid.) Section 473.5, subdivision (a) provides that, when service of a summons "has not resulted in actual notice to a party in time to defend the action and a default or default judgment has been entered," the party may file a motion to set aside the judgment. Such a motion must be filed, at the latest, within two years after entry of the default judgment. (Ibid.) More generally, section 473, subdivision (d) permits a court to "set aside any void judgment or order." When the basis for a motion under this subdivision is that a judgment " 'though valid on its face, is void for lack of proper service, the courts have adopted by analogy the statutory period for relief from a default judgment' provided by section 473.5, that is, the two-year outer time limit." (Trackman v. Kenney (2010) 187 Cal.App.4th 175,

Page 8

Other Questions


Can an order denying a motion to set aside a default be appealed from the default judgment? (California, United States of America)
Does a motion to set aside a default judgment against a defendant be granted on the grounds that the judgment is void? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a motion to vacate a default and set aside the default judgment? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant in a child support action appeal from an order of the superior court denying his motion to vacate default and set aside a judgment entered pursuant to stipulation? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a motion to vacate a default and set aside a judgment? (California, United States of America)
Does a motion to set aside a pretrial default against defendants need to be considered as a motion under section 473 of the Code of Civil Procedure? (California, United States of America)
Can CBL appeal the order denying its motion to set aside the default judgment? (California, United States of America)
In a motion before the Superior Court of Justice to vacate a judgment against an appellant, what is the effect of the judgment against the appellant on the motion to withdraw his plea? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a motion to set aside a default judgment? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for a motion to vacate a default and set aside a judgment? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.