You want to reopen the case - that you had settled the case.
Where in PA is this going on?
This was a civil arbitration matter - correct? When was the decision made - the date?
The easiest way to deal with this is to file a motion to reopen the case and state within the motion that:
1) that as per court records a trial was to be held in the matter
2) on ______ (approximate date) you had communications with the plaintiff's attorney
3) on that aforesaid date, and during those communications, a settlement was reached between you and the attorney in the matter whereby the attorney would file all the necessary pleadings to mark the case settled and discontinued. Attached is a true and correct copy of what the attorney planned to file in the matter along with the fax # for me to send your letter.
4) that because of the attorney's representations you thought the matter was completely resolved and therefore did not attend the trial of the matter
5) that if a procedural mistake has been made in this matter it would be unconscionable to allow the default judgment stand as entered.
6) that you are operating pro se and thought the matter completely resolved as per the attorney's representations
Wherefore, the defendant respectfully requests that this court reopen the default judgment and schedule a new trial on the matter.
It is better to reopen the default - the judge will do such under the circumstances - your pro se and he doesn't want the appearance that an attorney took advantage of a unrepresented party.
Attorney
19 years legal practitioner: real estate, collections, estate, civil, business, and criminal law
How many days do I have to file the motion?