Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure 1702.1

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.

            A. When the plaintiff seeks a default judgment without appearing for a hearing in open court as provided in Article 1702(B)(1) and (C), the plaintiff shall file a written request for default judgment containing a certification that the suit is on an open account, promissory note, or other negotiable instrument, on a conventional obligation, or on a check dishonored for nonsufficient funds, and that the necessary invoices and affidavit, note and affidavit, or check or certified reproduction thereof are attached, along with any proof required by law and a proposed default judgment. If attorney fees are sought under La. Rev. Stat. 9:2781 or 2782, the attorney shall certify that fact and the fact that the number of days required by La. Rev. Stat. 9:2781(A) or 2782(A), respectively, have elapsed since demand was made upon the defendant.

            B. The certification shall indicate the type of service made on the defendant and the date of service and shall also include a certification by the clerk that the record was examined by the clerk, including therein the date of the examination and a statement that no answer or other pleading has been filed within the time prescribed by law or by the court.

            Added by Acts 1984, No. 507, §1. Acts 1987, No. 182, §1; Acts 1992, No. 292, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1075, §2; Acts 2017, No. 419, §1; Acts 2021, No. 174, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2022.