The Second Department is usually way more strict than the First (“not particular compelling”). This seems to be a change.
P&H Painting, Inc. v Flintlock Constr. Servs., LLC, 2020 NY Slip Op 00603 [2d Dept. 2020]
Although the general rule is that in order to vacate a default, a party must demonstrate a reasonable excuse for the default and a potentially meritorious defense (see CPLR 5015[a][1]), the sufficiency of an excuse is not as significant where the default is only a short period (see Vallario v 25 W. 24th St. Flatiron, LLC, 149 AD3d 791, 792-793; Chakmakian v Maroney, 78 AD3d 1103, 1104).
bruteforcelawyer.com 