IN RE: SANTANDER CONSUMER USA (2018)

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

In July 2016, A & E Liens Inc., on behalf of respondent Kobi Auto Collision & Paint Center, Inc. (hereinafter respondent), filed a garagekeeper's lien against a vehicle in which petitioner holds a perfected priority lien.  In October 2016, notice of the lien and sale was served on petitioner by certified mail.  In November 2016, petitioner commenced this proceeding against, among others, respondent, seeking, among other things, a declaration that the garagekeeper's lien is void and, upon petitioner filing an undertaking, the vehicle was released to petitioner.  Respondent failed to respond to the petition, and Supreme Court issued a default judgment awarding petitioner the relief sought, and released the bond.  Respondent moved to vacate the default, which would set aside the order directing the release of the vehicle and keep the lien in effect.  Supreme Court denied respondent's motion.  Respondent appeals, and we reverse.

Initially, we do not agree with petitioner that this appeal is moot because respondent is no longer in possession of the vehicle as issues exist beyond possession of the vehicle that effect the rights of the parties (see Matter of Nachman v. Crawford, 114 A.D.2d 672, 673, 494 N.Y.S.2d 493 [1985];  see generally Matter of Utica Mut. Ins. Co. [Selective Ins. Co. of Am.], 27 A.D.3d 990, 992, 813 N.Y.S.2d 547 [2006] ).  Turning to the merits, a party seeking to vacate a default judgment must show a reasonable excuse for the default and the existence of a meritorious defense to the action (see CPLR 5015[a][1];  Matter of Toyota Motor Credit Corp. v. Impressive Auto Ctr., Inc., 80 A.D.3d 861, 862, 915 N.Y.S.2d 657 [2011];  Abel v. Estate of Collins, 73 A.D.3d 1423, 1424, 901 N.Y.S.2d 749 [2010] ).  Whether there is a reasonable excuse for default is a discretionary determination and turns on a number of factors, including whether there has been willful neglect and prejudice to the opposing party, and “the strong public policy in favor of resolving cases on the merits” (Rickert v. Chestara, 56 A.D.3d 941, 942, 867 N.Y.S.2d 262 [2008] [internal quotation marks and citation omitted];  see Aaron v. Carter, Conboy, Case, Blackmore, Napierski & Maloney, P.C., 12 A.D.3d 753, 754, 784 N.Y.S.2d 665 [2004] ).

While this Court has, in the past, held that receiving legal documents and deciding to do nothing further due to a failure to understand the papers does not establish a reasonable excuse (see e.g. Kranenburg v. Butwell, 34 A.D.3d 1005, 1006, 825 N.Y.S.2d 163 [2006];  Guariglia v. Price Chopper Operating Co., Inc., 13 A.D.3d 1028, 1029–1030, 787 N.Y.S.2d 451 [2004];  Stoltz v. Playquest Theater Co., 257 A.D.2d 758, 758–759, 683 N.Y.S.2d 339 [1999] ), the instant case is factually distinguishable.  Here, respondent did not rest on its laurels and ignore the papers;  to the contrary, as detailed in the affidavit of Sabrina Perez, respondent's manager, she attempted to resolve the issue by contacting A & E Liens and “was told by [it] that [it] would handle the matter.”  Also, soon after learning of the default judgment, respondent obtained an attorney.  Accordingly, the record is devoid of evidence of bad faith or willful default (see Matter of Toyota Motor Credit Corp. v. Impressive Auto Ctr. Inc., 80 A.D.3d at 864, 915 N.Y.S.2d 657).  Moreover, as the motion to vacate was filed only two weeks after entry of the default judgment, there was no delay in filing nor has there been any showing that petitioner would suffer prejudice by having the matter determined on the merits (see id. at 864, 915 N.Y.S.2d 657).  As such, respondent has demonstrated a reasonable excuse for the default.

Additionally, respondent has proffered certain defenses that it claims are meritorious.  In particular, respondent has asserted that, by failing to commence a special proceeding within 10 days after the service of the notice of sale, petitioner failed to follow the notice requirements in Lien Law § 201–a.  Respondent has also alleged a colorable claim that petitioner misstated certain facts and provided inaccurate information to Supreme Court in support of its order to show cause, which resulted in the default judgment.  Finally, respondent raises certain unjust enrichment issues.  While ultimately these defenses may prove unsuccessful, we find them to be meritorious pursuant to CPLR 5015(a)(1), which requires a showing of “sufficient facts to demonstrate, on a prima facie basis, that a defense existed” (id. at 863, 915 N.Y.S.2d 657 [internal quotation marks and citation omitted] ).  Therefore, as respondent has demonstrated both a reasonable excuse for the default and the existence of a meritorious defense, the default must be vacated.

ORDERED that the order is reversed, on the law, with costs, motion granted, default vacated and matter remitted to the Supreme Court for further proceedings not inconsistent with this Court's decision.

Pritzker, J.

McCarthy, J.P., Devine, Mulvey and Rumsey, JJ., concur.