Opinion
2018–08295 Index No. 703654/15
06-10-2020
Ramzan SHAH, Appellant, v. Benjamin UH, etc., Respondent.
Ramzan Shah, South Richmond Hill, NY, appellant pro se. Vigorito, Barker, Patterson, Nichols & Porter, LLP, Valhalla, N.Y. (Adonaid C. Medina of counsel), for respondent.
Ramzan Shah, South Richmond Hill, NY, appellant pro se.
Vigorito, Barker, Patterson, Nichols & Porter, LLP, Valhalla, N.Y. (Adonaid C. Medina of counsel), for respondent.
REINALDO E. RIVERA, J.P., RUTH C. BALKIN, JOHN M. LEVENTHAL, FRANCESCA E. CONNOLLY, JJ.
DECISION & ORDER
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
"Pursuant to 22 NYCRR 202.27(b), a court has the discretion to direct dismissal of a complaint where the plaintiff fails to appear or is not ready to proceed" ( Yi Jing Tan v. Liang , 160 A.D.3d 786, 787, 75 N.Y.S.3d 68 ). Here, we agree with the Supreme Court's determination to dismiss the action based upon the plaintiff's failure to appear at two post-note of issue conferences.
To be relieved of the default in appearing, the plaintiff was required to demonstrate both a reasonable excuse for the default and a potentially meritorious cause of action (see CPLR 5015[a][1] ; Murray v. New York City Health & Hosps. Corp. , 52 A.D.3d 792, 793, 861 N.Y.S.2d 372 ). We agree with the Supreme Court's determination to deny the plaintiff's motion, in effect, pursuant to CPLR 5015(a)(1) to vacate his default, as the plaintiff failed to establish the existence of a potentially meritorious cause of action (see Addison v. Avshalumov , 153 A.D.3d 477, 478, 59 N.Y.S.3d 746 ; see also Mosberg v. Elahi , 80 N.Y.2d 941, 590 N.Y.S.2d 866, 605 N.E.2d 353 ).
RIVERA, J.P., BALKIN, LEVENTHAL and CONNOLLY, JJ., concur.