While counterclaims are not specifically mentioned in CPLR 3215, the statute applies to claims asserted as counterclaims in addition to those set forth in complaints (seeNajar v. Najar, 173 A.D.3d 748, 749, 99 N.Y.S.3d 703 ; Giglio v. NTIMP, Inc., 86 A.D.3d 301, 307, 926 N.Y.S.2d 546 ). "The language of CPLR 3215(c) is not, in the first instance, discretionary, but mandatory, inasmuch as courts ‘shall’ dismiss claims ( CPLR 3215[c] ) for which default judgments are not sought within the requisite one-year period, as those claims are then deemed abandoned" ( HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Grella, 145 A.D.3d 669, 671, 44 N.Y.S.3d 56 [internal quotation marks omitted]; seeKaramuco v. Gavriel Plaza, Inc., 172 A.D.3d 832, 832, 97 N.Y.S.3d 887 ). "The failure to timely seek a default may be excused if ‘sufficient cause is shown why the complaint should not be dismissed’ ( CPLR 3215[c] ), which requires the party to proffer a reasonable excuse for the delay in timely moving for a default judgment and to demonstrate that the cause of action is potentially meritorious" ( HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Grella, 145 A.D.3d at 671, 44 N.Y.S.3d 56 ; seeKaramuco v. Gavriel Plaza, Inc., 172 A.D.3d at 833, 97 N.Y.S.3d 887 ).
" ‘The language of CPLR 3215(c) is not, in the first instance, discretionary, but mandatory, inasmuch as courts "shall" dismiss claims ( CPLR 3215[c] ) for which default judgments are not sought within the requisite one-year period, as those claims are then deemed abandoned’ " ( HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Grella, 145 A.D.3d 669, 671, 44 N.Y.S.3d 56, quoting Giglio v. NTIMP, Inc., 86 A.D.3d 301, 307–308, 926 N.Y.S.2d 546 ; seeKaramuco v. Gavriel Plaza, Inc., 172 A.D.3d 832, 832, 97 N.Y.S.3d 887 ).
In any event, this Court is not bound by the doctrine of law of the case by a prior determination of the Supreme Court and may make its own determination with regard to whether the complaint was subject to dismissal as abandoned pursuant to CPLR 3215(c) (seeMartin v. City of Cohoes, 37 N.Y.2d at 165, 371 N.Y.S.2d 687, 332 N.E.2d 867 ; Ramanathan v. Aharon, 109 A.D.3d 529, 531, 970 N.Y.S.2d 574 ). "The language of CPLR 3215(c) is not, in the first instance, discretionary, but mandatory, inasmuch as courts ‘shall’ dismiss claims ( CPLR 3215[c] ) for which default judgments are not sought within the requisite one-year period, as those claims are then deemed abandoned" ( HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Grella, 145 A.D.3d 669, 671, 44 N.Y.S.3d 56 [citation and internal quotation marks omitted]; seeKaramuco v. Gavriel Plaza, Inc., 172 A.D.3d 832, 832, 97 N.Y.S.3d 887 ). "The failure to timely seek a default may be excused if ‘sufficient cause is shown why the complaint should not be dismissed’ ( CPLR 3215[c] ), which requires the plaintiff to proffer a reasonable excuse for the delay in timely moving for a default judgment and to demonstrate that the cause of action is potentially meritorious" ( HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Grella, 145 A.D.3d at 671, 44 N.Y.S.3d 56 ; seeKaramuco v. Gavriel Plaza, Inc., 172 A.D.3d at 833, 97 N.Y.S.3d 887 ).