Source: https://bruteforcelawyer.com/category/cplr/cplr-%C2%A7-105/
Timestamp: 2020-04-02 05:27:34
Document Index: 457380211

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 317', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105', '§ 105']

Category: CPLR § 105
CPLR § 105(u) Use of a verified pleading as an affidavit — Didn’t work this time
Griffin v 1869 Utica Ave. Corp., 2009 NY Slip Op 51585(U) (App. Term, 2nd, 2009)
CPLR 5015 (a) (1) provides that a court which rendered a judgment
may, upon motion, relieve a party from such judgment upon the ground of
excusable default. In order to obtain such relief, however, the movant
must establish that the default was excusable and that there is a
meritorious defense to the action (see e.g. Kaplinsky v Mazor,
307 AD2d 916 [2003]). In the instant case, defendant failed to
establish by competent evidence a reasonable excuse for defendant's
default in appearing. The affidavit of Mr. Greenbaum's daughter
consisted of conclusory allegations regarding the state of her father's
health, which were insufficient to constitute a reasonable excuse for
the default, particularly in light of the fact that the record
demonstrates that defendant was properly served at Mr. Greenbaum's
address, the corporate address, as directed by the court.
In view of our determination, we need not address the question
of whether defendant established the existence of a meritorious
defense. However, we note that although a verified pleading may be
accepted in lieu of an affidavit of merit (CPLR 105 [u]), it must
contain evidentiary facts from a person with knowledge in order to
establish the merits of the defense (see Juseinoski v Board of Educ. of City of NY, 15 AD3d 353 [2005]). The verified answer in the instant case was insufficient as an affidavit of merit.
Finally, we reject defendant's argument that it was improper for
the court to deem defendant to be self-represented if it did not secure
counsel. A corporate defendant may not obstruct or impede the progress
of litigation by refusing to retain counsel (see e.g. Valisa MFG, LLC v 54 Group, Ltd., 19 Misc 3d 1136[A],
2008 NY Slip Op 51017[U] [2008]), and, where a corporate defendant
fails to appear by attorney, it is proper for a court to hold said
defendant in default (id.; see also World on Columbus, Inc. v L.C.K. Rest. Group, Inc., 260 AD2d 323 [1999]).
The bold is mine. Most people are unaware of 105(u). While the provision offered no benefit here, it will in countless cases, should people take advantage of it. In vacating defaults, CPLR § 317 is another underutilized rule.
Author DMGPosted on August 2, 2009 Categories CPLR § 105, CPLR R. 5015Leave a comment on CPLR § 105(u) Use of a verified pleading as an affidavit — Didn’t work this time
CPLR § 105(u) Use of a verified pleading as an affidavit
State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v Gueye, 2008 NY Slip Op 52457(U) (App. Term, 2nd)
A party seeking to vacate a default judgment must demonstrate a
reasonable excuse for the default and a meritorious defense to the
action (see CPLR 5015 [a] [1]; Eugene Di Lorenzo, Inc. v A.C. Dutton Lbr. Co., 67 NY2d 138, 141 [1986]; Jackson-Cutler v Long, 2 AD3d 590 [2003]; Titan Realty Corp. v Schlem,
283 AD2d 568 [2001]). Here, the record indicates that there are two
addresses for defendant in the court's file, one in Detroit and the
other in New York City. Defendant denied receiving the notices to
appear, and it is not clear from the record whether the notices were
sent to defendant at the Detroit or New York City address. Under the
circumstances, the court below did not improvidently exercise its
discretion in finding that defendant's default was not willful.
Furthermore, defendant set forth in his verified answer (see CPLR 105 [u]) a potentially meritorious defense (see Montgomery v Cranes, Inc., 50 AD3d 981 [2008]; Hodges v Sidial,
48 AD3d 633 [2008]) that the vehicle driven by plaintiff's subrogor
struck his vehicle. In view of the public policy which favors
resolution of cases on the merits (see Stuart v Kushner, 39 AD3d 535 [2007]; Bell v Toothsavers, Inc., 213 AD2d
199 [1995]), the court below properly granted defendant's motion to vacate the default judgment, and the order is affirmed.
Author DMGPosted on December 10, 2008 Categories CPLR § 105Leave a comment on CPLR § 105(u) Use of a verified pleading as an affidavit