Complaint - A written statement that begins a civil lawsuit, in which the plaintiff details the claims against the defendant.⏎
Dismissal with prejudice - Court action that prevents an identical lawsuit from being filed later.⏎
Default judgment - A judgment awarding a plaintiff the relief sought in the complaint because the defendant has failed to appear in court or otherwise respond to the complaint.⏎
De facto - Latin, meaning "in fact" or "actually." Something that exists in fact but not as a matter of law.⏎
Clerk of court - The court officer who oversees administrative functions, especially managing the flow of cases through the court. The clerk's office is often called a court's central nervous system.⏎