SUPER 8 WORLDWIDE, INC. v. MAYURI HOSPITALITY, LLC et al

Filing 13

OPINION AND ORDER denying pltf's 10 Motion for Default Judgment and vacating default as to deft. Prafulbhai Bkakta. Signed by Judge Stanley R. Chesler on 4/30/2015. (nr, )

NOT FOR PUBLICATION
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
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SUPER 8 WORLDWIDE, INC.,
:
:
Plaintiff,
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:
v.
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:
MAYURI HOSPITALITY, LLC. et al.,
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Defendants. :
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:

Civil Action No. 14-5517 (SRC)

OPINION & ORDER

CHESLER, District Judge
This matter comes before the Court on the motion for entry of default judgment against
Defendant Prafulbhai Bhakta (“Bhakta”). Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment was originally filed
against a larger group of defendants, but Plaintiff subsequently dismissed all claims against all defendants
in the case, except for Bhakta. The record shows that Bhakta was never personally served with the
Complaint. The supporting affidavit claims only that Bhakta was served by mail at an address in the
State of Georgia, and that such service is valid service pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
4(e)(1). That Rule states that an individual may be served within the United States “following state law
for serving a summons in an action brought in courts of general jurisdiction in the state where the district
court is located or where service is made.” The State of Georgia does not authorize service of process
by mail. The State of New Jersey authorizes service by mail under certain circumstances:
Optional Mailed Service. Where personal service is required to be made pursuant to
paragraph (a) of this rule, service, in lieu of personal service, may be made by

registered, certified or ordinary mail, provided, however, that such service shall be
effective for obtaining in personam jurisdiction only if the defendant answers the
complaint or otherwise appears in response thereto, and provided further that default
shall not be entered against a defendant who fails to answer or appear in response
thereto.
N.J. Court Rule 4:4-4(c). Bhakta did not answer the Complaint or appear in this action. Pursuant to
N.J. Court Rule 4:4-4(c), default may not be entered against him. The clerk’s entry of default was
entered in error. The motion for default judgment against Bhakta will be denied.
For these reasons,
IT IS on this 30th day of April, 2015
ORDERED that Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment (Docket Entry No. 10) is DENIED;
and it is further
ORDERED that the clerk’s entry of default against Defendant Prafulbhai Bhakta is hereby
VACATED.
s/ Stanley R. Chesler
Stanley R. Chesler, U.S.D.J.

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