ORCP 73 – Judgments by Confession

A Judgments that may be confessed.

         A(1) For money due; where allowed. Judgment by confession may be entered without action for money due in the manner prescribed by this rule and may be entered in any court having jurisdiction over the subject matter. The application to confess judgment shall be made in the county in which the defendants, or one of them, reside or may be found at the time of the application. A judgment entered by any court in any other county has no force or validity, notwithstanding anything in the defendant's statement to the contrary.

         A(2) Consumer transactions. No judgment by confession may be entered without action upon a contract, obligation, or liability that arises out of the sale of goods or the furnishing of services for personal, family, or household use; out of a loan or other extension of credit for personal, family, or household purposes; or upon a promissory note that is based upon such sale or extension of credit.

B Statement by defendant. A statement in writing must be made, signed by any party against whom judgment is to be entered or a person authorized to bind that party, and verified by oath, as follows:

         B(1) it must authorize the entry of judgment for a specified sum;

         B(2) it must state concisely the facts out of which the judgment arose, and show that the sum confessed therefor is justly and presently due;

         B(3) it must contain a statement that the person or persons signing the judgment understands that the statement authorizes entry of judgment without further proceeding that would authorize execution to enforce payment of the judgment; and

         B(4) it must have been executed after the date or dates when the sums described in the statement were due.

C Filing of statement by plaintiff; entry, enforcement of judgment. Judgment by confession may be ordered by the court upon the filing of the statement required by section B of this rule. The judgment may be entered and enforced in the same manner and with the same effect as a judgment in an action.

D Confession by joint debtors. One or more joint debtors may confess a judgment for a joint debt due. Where all of the joint debtors do not unite in the confession, the judgment shall be entered and enforced against only those debtors who confessed it and the judgment is not a bar to an action against the other joint debtors upon the same demand.

[CCP 12/13/80; amended by CCP 12/6/14]