On January 2, 2020, the First Department issued a decision in Fisher v. Lewis Constr. NYC Inc., 2020 NY Slip Op. 00041, refusing to vacate a default judgment despite conclusory denials of service, explaining: Defendant failed to establish a reasonable excuse for its default. Plaintiff properly served defendant corporation by means of service upon the... Read more »
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Posts Categorized: Default Judgment
Defendant’s Incarceration Not Reasonable Excuse for Default When Defendant Was Represented by Counsel
On December 19, 2019, the First Department issued a decision in Matter of Wimbledon Fin. Master Fund, Ltd. v. Sage Group Consulting Inc., 2019 NY Slip Op. 09109, holding that a defendant’s incarceration was not a reasonable excuse for a default when the defendant was represented by counsel, explaining: To vacate a default judgment under... Read more »
Default Judgment Denied Due to Failure to Prove Damages; Plaintiff Allowed to Take Discovery and Renew Motion
On September 27, 2019, Justice Schecter of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in W. & M. Operating, L.L.C. v. Bakhshi, 2019 NY Slip Op. 32865(U), denying default judgment due to a lack of proof of damages but allowing the plaintiff to take discovery and renew the motion, explaining: Porco, however, has... Read more »
Defendant Fails to Provide Adequate Basis for Vacating Default
On September 25, 2019, the Second Department issued a decision in Redbridge Bedford, LLC v 159 N. 3rd St. Realty Holding Corp., 2019 NY Slip Op 06809, holding that a defendant had failed to provide an adequate basis for vacating its default, explaining: In order to be entitled to enter a default judgment upon a... Read more »
Court Erred in Vacating Default When There Was No Reasonable Excuse for the Default
On September 11, 2019, the Second Department issued a decision in EMC Mtge. Corp. v. Walker, 2019 NY Slip Op. 06474, holding that it was error to vacate a default when there was no reasonable excuse for the default, explaining: In order to vacate a default in appearing at a scheduled court conference, a plaintiff... Read more »
Dismissal of Foreclosure Action for Failure to Prosecute Vacated
On September 11, 2019, the Second Department issued a decision in U.S. Bank Natl. Assn. v. Spence, 2019 NY Slip Op. 06529, vacating the dismissal of a foreclosure action for failure to prosecute, explaining: A pleading cannot be dismissed pursuant to CPLR 3216(a) unless a written demand is served upon the party against whom such... Read more »
Failure Timely to Move for Default Judgment Leads to Dismissal of Claim
On July 17, 2019, the Second Department issued a decision in U.S. Bank N.A. v. White, 2019 NY Slip Op. 05713, holding that the failure timely to move for a default judgment is grounds for dismissal, explaining: CPLR 3215(c) provides: If the plaintiff fails to take proceedings for the entry of judgment within one year... Read more »
Corporate Defendant’s Mail Delivery Problems Not Basis for Vacating Default Judgment
On June 17, 2019, Justice Borrok of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in Fisher v. Lewis Constr. NYC, Inc., 2019 NY Slip Op. 31775(U), holding that a corporate defendant’s mail delivery problems were not a basis for vacating a default judgment, explaining: Under CPLR 5015(a)(1), a court may relieve a party... Read more »
Court Denies Default Judgment for Lack of Evidence Supporting Plaintiff’s Claim
On June 6, 2019, Justice Ostrager of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in Stone & Broad Inc. v. Nextel of N.Y., Inc., 2019 NY Slip Op. 31600(U), denying a motion for default judgment for lack of evidence supporting the plaintiff’s claims, explaining: In this motion, plaintiff seeks a default judgment in... Read more »
Court Grants Default Judgment; No Good Cause Shown for Failure Timely to Answer
On March 25, 2019, Justice Schecter of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in Black Pearl Global Opportunity Fund v. Summit Equtites LLC, 2019 NY Slip Op. 30917(U), granting a default judgment because the defendant showed no good cause for failing timely to answer, explaining: Where, as here, a defendant does not timely... Read more »