Gregory v. Williams

The defendant, Andrew Williams, appeals from a judgment in a personal injury action. The case was set for a pretrial conference on March 8, 1972, but neither the defendant nor his attorney appeared. The conference was continued until March 15, 1972, and, when again the defendant and his attorney failed to appear, Judge Benjamin Nelson entered an order of default. Ill. Rev. Stat. 1971, ch. 110A, par. 219(c)(v).

On May 5, 1972, the case was assigned to Judge Mel R. Jiganti for trial on the issue of damages only. On May 8, 1972, the defendant filed before Judge Jiganti a motion to vacate the…