J.P. EQUIP. RENTAL v. FIDELITY GUARANTY

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with costs.

To succeed on a motion to vacate a judgment entered upon a default, a defendant must demonstrate both a reasonable excuse for the default and a meritorious defense to the underlying action (see, CPLR 5015[a][1]; Belesi v. Gifford, 269 A.D.2d 552). The determination of what constitutes a reasonable excuse for a default lies within the sound discretion of the Supreme Court and, as a general rule, its determination will not be disturbed (see, Parker v. City of New York, 272 A.D.2d 310).

Here, the Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in denying the defendant's motion to vacate the judgment entered upon its failure to appear and answer, since it failed to demonstrate a reasonable excuse for the default. In light of this determination, we need not consider whether the defendant established the existence of a meritorious defense (see, Phillips, Nizer, Benjamin, Krim Ballon v. Matteo, 271 A.D.2d 422).

O'BRIEN, J.P., McGINITY, H. MILLER and ADAMS, JJ., concur.