If a defendant does not respond to the complaint within the specified time, what can the plaintiff seek?

When a defendant fails to respond to a complaint within the specified timeframe, the plaintiff has the right to seek a default judgment. This means that the court can rule in favor of the plaintiff because the defendant has not engaged with the legal process by responding to the initial complaint. A default judgment essentially implies that the court accepts the claims made by the plaintiff as true, due to the absence of a defense presented by the defendant.

This legal mechanism serves to preserve the efficiency of the judicial system by preventing a defendant from stalling matters through inaction. It encourages defendants to respond promptly to complaints, as failing to do so can lead to significant legal consequences, including the loss of the ability to contest the claims brought against them.

Other options, such as a new trial, withdrawal of the complaint, or additional evidence do not apply in this context. A new trial is not relevant because there hasn’t been an initial trial due to the lack of response. Withdrawing the complaint would mean the plaintiff is choosing to end their case, which is the opposite of seeking a remedy after the defendant’s non-response. Additional evidence is also irrelevant here, as it pertains to supporting a case rather than addressing a situation of non-response by a defendant.