Rule 57.Declaratory Judgments—Judgments by Confession.

Last amended July 15, 1994 · Last verified July 6, 2026

In one sentenceRule 57 lets a party seek a declaratory judgment even when another remedy exists, and separately lets a defendant consent to judgment against themselves — either during a pending lawsuit or without any lawsuit at all — through a formally confessed and acknowledged judgment.

Full Text of Rule 57

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c)

(a) Declaratory Judgments. The procedure for obtaining a declaratory judgment pursuant to statute shall be in accordance with these rules, and the right to trial by jury may be demanded under the circumstances and in the manner provided in Rules 38 and 39. The existence of another adequate remedy does not preclude a judgment for declaratory relief in cases where it is appropriate. The court may order a speedy hearing of an action for a declaratory judgment and may advance it on the calendar.

(b) Confession Judgments—After Commencement of Action.

(1) On the confession of the defendant, with the assent of the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney, a judgment may be given against the defendant in any action, for any amount not exceeding or relief different from that demanded in the complaint.

(2) The confession shall be in writing and signed by the defendant. The assent shall be in writing and signed by the parties or their attorneys. The confession and assents shall each be acknowledged before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths unless the parties or their attorneys appear in court when the judgment is given. The confession, assent and acknowledgment, if any, shall be filed with the clerk.

(1) On the confession of any person capable of being made a defendant to an action, judgment may be given against such person without action, in favor of anyone, either for money due or to become due, or to secure any person against contingent liability on behalf of the defendant in such judgment, or both, if it be in favor of the same person.

(2) The confession shall be made, assented to and acknowledged and judgment given in the same manner as a confession in an action pending, but in addition, the confession shall be verified by the oath of the person making it, and shall authorize a judgment to be given for a particular sum. If it be for money due or to become due it shall state plainly and concisely the facts out of which such indebtedness arose, and shall show that the sum confessed therefor is justly due or to become due. If it be for the purpose of securing the plaintiff in the judgment against a contingent liability, it shall state plainly and concisely the facts constituting such liability and shall show that the sum confessed therefor does not exceed the same. When judgment is given so as to be payable in installments, executions may issue to enforce the payment of such installments as they become due.

End

Amendment History

(Adopted by SCO 5 October 9, 1959; amended by SCO 49 effective January 1, 1963; and by SCO 1153 effective July 15, 1994)

Plain-English Summary

A declaratory judgment follows the same rules as any other civil action, including the right to demand a jury trial, and a party isn't barred from seeking one just because another adequate remedy exists; the court can also order a speedy hearing and move the case up on the calendar. Separately, once a lawsuit is filed, a defendant can confess judgment — with the plaintiff's or the plaintiff's attorney's assent — for an amount no greater than the complaint demands, or for relief different from what it demands, as long as the confession and assent are both in writing, signed, and either acknowledged before someone authorized to administer oaths or made in open court.

A confession of judgment can also happen without any lawsuit at all: anyone capable of being sued can confess judgment in someone else's favor for money owed, or to secure against a contingent future liability, or both. That kind of confession has to be sworn to by the person confessing, authorize a specific dollar amount, and — depending on whether it covers a debt or a contingent liability — spell out the facts showing the debt is owed or that the amount doesn't exceed the liability being secured; if the judgment calls for installment payments, each installment can be individually enforced by execution as it comes due.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a declaratory judgment if another remedy is available to me?

Yes — Rule 57(a) says the existence of another adequate remedy doesn't prevent a declaratory judgment where it's otherwise appropriate.

What is a "confession of judgment"?

A written, signed, and acknowledged admission by a defendant (or, outside a lawsuit, by anyone who could be sued) that judgment should be entered against them, for either a debt owed or a contingent liability.

Can someone confess to a judgment without ever being sued?

Yes, under Rule 57(c) — the confession must be sworn to, authorize a specific sum, and spell out the facts showing the debt or liability, and it can then be enforced like any other judgment.

Source & verification. The rule text, Amendment History, and Notes are reproduced verbatim from the official Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure (Alaska R. Civ. P. 57). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Alaska (Alaska Const. art. IV, § 15). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: declaratory judgment Alaska civil ruleconfession of judgment Alaskajudgment by confession without lawsuitAlaska R. Civ. P. 57