While the City's generalized assertion of law office failure as the excuse for its delay is not particularly compelling, it constitutes "good cause" for the delay ( see Spira v New York City Tr. Auth., 49 AD3d 478). No prejudice to plaintiff has been shown ( see Cirillo v Macy's, Inc., 61 AD3d 538, 540), and New York's public policy strongly favors litigating matters on the merits ( see Silverio v City of New York, 266 AD2d 129). An affidavit of merit is not required where no default order or judgment has been entered ( see Cirillo, supra).