Case Name: James Gardner, Appellant, v. Another Phyllis's, Inc., Respondent, et al., Defendant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1995-06-01
Citations: 216 A.D.2d 620
Docket Number: 
Parties: James Gardner, Appellant, v Another Phyllis’s, Inc., Respondent, et al., Defendant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 216
Pages: 620–620

Head Matter:
James Gardner, Appellant, v Another Phyllis’s, Inc., Respondent, et al., Defendant.
[627 NYS2d 582]

Opinion:
Appeal from an order of the Supreme Court (Keniry, J.), entered May 23, 1994 in Saratoga County, which granted a motion by defendant Another Phyllis's, Inc. to vacate a default judgment entered against it.
In this personal injury action, plaintiff served process upon defendant Another Phyllis's, Inc. (hereinafter defendant) via the Secretary of State. Defendant subsequently moved to vacate the default judgment obtained by plaintiff on the basis that it did not receive actual notice of the pending action. Plaintiff now contends that the default judgment should not have been vacated because defendant failed to show a reasonable excuse for its default. However, insofar as Supreme Court considered defendant's motion under CPLR 317, which does not require a reasonable excuse, we find this argument to be without merit (see, Executive Motor Car v Allen, 211 AD2d 871). We further find that defendant adequately demonstrated a meritorious defense to the action. Accordingly, we see no reason to disturb Supreme Court's exercise of its discretion to vacate the default.
Mikoll, J. P., Crew III, White, Yesawich Jr. and Peters, JJ., concur.