Appellate Division

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Overview

For information on how to represent yourself in an appeal, visit our Self-Help page

Court appeals in New Jersey go through the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. This is an intermediate appellate court. The state Supreme Court is the highest appellate court.  

Appeals come from trial courts, tax court, and administrative agencies. Review the Standards for Appellate Review to learn how the two- or three-judge appellate panels reach a decision in each case.

The division is composed of 32 judges divided into 8 parts. The division decides around 6,500 appeals and 10,000 motions each year. Appellate Division Court Term Parts List

Appellate Court opinions are posted at 10 a.m. each business day. Expected opinions for the following business day also are posted at 10 a.m. 

Alternative resolution programs can streamline the appeals process for some types of cases.  These include:

  • Civil Appeals Settlement Program (CASP). The clerk’s office identifies cases that might be settled with the help of a retired judge.  Alternatively, appeals with complex issues could go to a pre-argument conference. The conference helps clarify those issues prior to briefing. 
  • Sentencing Calendars. Appeals of criminal sentences   are argued without full briefing due to their narrow scope. This shortened process helps resolve those cases more quickly.

Forms and Filing Information

Attorneys must use eCourts Appellate to file all non-emergent appellate matters.

For emergent matters, contact the Appellate Division emergent clerks between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at  609-815-2950 and when prompted, press 1. 

The current self-representing appeals forms can be found under Forms and Instructions.

Use the Build-a-Brief Creator, the Letter Brief Sample, and the Formal Brief Sample for guidance on preparing appellate briefs. 

See the Pretrial Detention page for guidance filing an appeal on an order granting a motion for pretrial detention. 

Here are examples to help you complete your forms:

You will need a transcript of the lower court hearing. Order transcripts

Resources for Transcribers

The Judiciary maintains a list of certified transcribers. Also see the contact information for transcript offices in each Superior Court

Transcribers can consult the Judiciary Transcriber Manual and the Transcript Format for Judicial Proceedings. Use the payment voucher and follow the payment voucher instructions to receive payment. 

Calendars and Locations

The following are the upcoming calendars for appellate cases. Choose a date below to review the scheduled appeals. Appellate court calendars are subject to change due to uncontrollable circumstances. Call 609-815-2950 ext. 52627  to confirm calendar information for an appeal. 

As of September 13, 2021, all Appellate Division arguments will be held in-person. Check your notice for the location.

Audio recordings of prior remote arguments are available upon request by emailing Appeal-Trans.mailbox@njcourts.gov These arguments were held between March 18, 2020, and September 7, 2021. Note, this recording is not part of the official court record, with limited exceptions, and no transcript will be produced.

Court is in recess the week of March 25, 2024
Court is in recess the week of April 1, 2024
See appeals scheduled for the Week of April 8, 2024
See appeals scheduled for the Week of April 15, 2024

Appellate Division chambers are located throughout the state. Arguments are heard in courtrooms in Morristown, New Brunswick, Newark, and Trenton. Arguments are also heard in other courts from time to time. 

Appellate Division Clerk’s Office
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 006
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0970
609-815-2950

Notices to the Bar

The following are notices to bar regarding the appellate court and eCourts Appellate.