Defendant's claim that he was unfamiliar with the legal system and did not understand that he needed an attorney to represent him is not a reasonable excuse for failing to timely appear and oppose plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint. Absent a reasonable excuse for the default, the court need not consider whether there is a potentially meritorious defense to the action.
Besler v. Uzieri, NY Slip Op 00687 (1st Dep't January 30, 2020)
Here is the decision.
