3:11-cv-00079 | S.D. Ill. | Jul 19, 2011
HERNDON, Chief Judge:
Before the Court is plaintiffs’ motion for default judgment (Doc. 9). In examining the motion, the Court notes that plaintiffs have not met the requirements of Local Rule 55.1.
Local Rule 55.1(a) requires the moving party to: (1) A give notice of the entry of default to the defaulting party by regular mail sent to the last known address of the defaulted party, @ and (2) A certify to the Court that notice has been sent. @ Further, Local Rule 55.1(b) requires that the motion seeking default judgment A shall contain a statement that a copy of the motion has been mailed to the last known address of the party from whom default judgment is sought. If the moving party knows, or reasonably should know, the identity of an attorney thought to represent the defaulted party, the motion shall also state that a copy has been mailed to that attorney. @
Here, it is clear that plaintiffs have not followed the rule. As stated in many previous orders, the Court, has a clear understanding that the rule is meant to operate in the following fashion. The rule requires that notice must be mailed (not emailed) to the last known address of the party from whom default is sought. It also requires that if the moving party knows or has reason to know the identity of an attorney thought to represent that the defaulted party the motion shall state that a copy has been mailed to that attorney. Further, the attorney for the moving party must certify, as an officer of the court, the he or she does not have knowledge that the defaulted party is represented by counsel for any matter whatsoever and there is no counsel to whom the motion can be mailed. This procedure was not followed in this case. It is not sufficient to file a standard certificate of service as one filed prior to the enactment of this local rule. Clearly the new rule sought to have additional information provided to the Court in the form of a representation on the strength of a good faith certification by an officer of the court to be held accountable for such representations. In order that the rule can be followed, counsel’s client can be served, 7th Circuit jurisprudence can be adhered to and in the interest of justice, the Court hereby allows Plaintiffs leave to file a supplement to their motion to demonstrate full compliance with Local Rule 55.1. Since the information is readily at hand, this supplement shall be filed by August 2, 2011. Failure to do so will result in a denial of the motion. If, on the other hand, plaintiff has not actually complied with the rule, the motion should be withdrawn, without prejudice, until such time as compliance can be achieved.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Signed this 19th day of July, 2011.
Digitally signed by David R. Herndon Date: 2011.07.19 11:05:20 -05'00'
Chief Judge United States District Court