On October 10, 2023, the First Department issued a decision in Shabtai v. HFZ Capital Group, LLC, 2023 NY Slip Op. 05109, holding that the failure to update the address for service of process is not a sufficient excuse for failing to answer a complaint . . . Continue reading Failure to Update Agent for Service Address No Excuse for Default
On October 6, 2023, the Fourth Department issued a decision in L&W Supply Corp. v. Built-Rite Drywall Corp., 2023 NY Slip Op. 05079, holding that a motion to vacate a default judgment does not require a showing of a reasonable excuse or a meritorious defense . . . Continue reading A Challenge to Default Based on Lack of Personal Jurisdiction Does Not Require Excuse or Showing of Merit
On April 5, 2023, the Second Department issued a decision in HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Hutchinson, 2023 NY Slip Op. 01782, holding that a motion to vacate a default judgment should have been denied because of the failure to explain and justify law office failure . . . Continue reading Motion to Vacate Default Denied for Failure Adequately to Explain and Justify Law Office Failure
On March 29, 2023, the Second Department issued a decision in Blue Lagoon, LLC v. Reisman, 2023 NY Slip Op. 01657, holding that the Governor’s COVID orders tolled the time to respond to a motion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint . . . Continue reading Governor’s COVID Orders Tolled Time to Respond to Motion for Summary Judgment in Lieu of Complaint
On February 15, 2023, the Second Department issued a decision in Moonachi, Inc. v. U.S. Bank Trust, N.A., 2023 NY Slip Op. 00858, holding that a motion to file a late answer must be denied when the movant fails to provide an excuse for failing timely to answer . . . Continue reading Motion to File Late Answer Denied for Failure to Provide Reasonable Excuse
On January 25, 2023, Justice Ruchelsman of the Kings County Commercial Division issued a decision in Jiang v. Howe, 2023 NY Slip Op. 30254(U), vacating a default judgment, holding that counsel’s calendaring error was a sufficient excuse for a default . . . Continue reading Counsel’s Calendaring Error Sufficient Excuse for Default
On January 6, 2023, Justice Reed of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in Quinn v. GCB Capital, LLC, 2023 NY Slip Op. 50015(U), denying a motion for default judgment for failure to submit either a verified complaint or a sufficient supporting affidavit . . . Continue reading Motion for Default Judgment Denied for Failure to Submit Either Verified Complaint or Supporting Affidavit
On December 28, 2022, the Second Department issued a decision in Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Ams. v. Smith, 2022 NY Slip Op. 07436, holding that where a plaintiff unreasonably fails to move for default judgment within a year of the default, the action must be dismissed . . . Continue reading Action Dismissed for Failure Timely to Move for Default Judgment
On December 22, 2022, Justice Reed of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in Lam Group v. Anthony T. Rinaldi LLC, 2022 NY Slip Op. 51302(U), holding that failure to comply with CPLR 3215’s service rules required denial of a motion for default judgment . . . Continue reading Failure to Comply With Service Rules Leads to Denial of Motion for Default Judgment
On December 7, 2022, the Second Department issued a decision in U.S. Bank N.A. v. Benitez, 2022 NY Slip Op. 06952, holding that the trial court should have dismissed the plaintiff’s claims for failure to move for a default judgment within one year of the default . . . Continue reading Action Should Have Been Dismissed for Failure to Move for Default Judgment Within One Year of Default
