Supreme Court Committees

Any person who is a judge, an attorney or a professional in a related field and is interesting in being considered by the Supreme Court, either to specific committees or generally, should so indicate by e-mail to the following address: CommAppts.Mailbox@njcourts.gov.

The subject line of your e-mail should state "Interest in Supreme Court Committees." Please include the following in your e-mail: your full name, your attorney ID (if applicable), the county or counties in which you practice (for attorneys), and the name(s) of the committee(s) in which you are interested. Attorneys should include a resumé with their letter.

This Committee accepts inquiries from members of the New Jersey bar concerning proper conduct for a member of the legal profession under the Rules of Professional Conduct and Court Rules. R. 1:19-1 et seq. It also operates the attorney ethics research assistance hotline: (609) 815-2924. Address: R.J. Hughes Justice Complex, PO Box 970, Trenton, NJ 08625.
The committee is responsible for examining and making recommendations for amendments and additions to Parts I, II and IV of the Court Rules, non-rule changes and statutory amendments and new legislation related to court practice.
This Committee imposes discipline on attorneys for violation of the attorney advertising rules (RPC 7.1 through RPC 7.5) and issues advisory opinions to New Jersey lawyers regarding attorney advertising. R. 1:19A-1 et seq. It also operates the attorney ethics research assistance hotline: (609) 815-2924. Address: R.J. Hughes Justice Complex, PO Box 970, Trenton, NJ 08625.
This Committee reviews grievances regarding unauthorized practice of law and also issues advisory opinions. R. 1:22-1 et seq. Contact: (609) 815-2900 ext. 54965. Address: R.J. Hughes Justice Complex, PO Box 970, Trenton, NJ 08625.
The committee advises the Supreme Court on how the Judiciary can best assure fairness, impartiality and equal access to minority groups, including linguistic minorities; provides guidance to vicinage advisory committees on minority concerns; and conduct studies and other research related to minority concerns issues.
The committee considers family court procedures and recommends amendments to the Rules of Court to clarify and improve the procedures in the family courts.
The committee provides oversight of jury selection practices in both civil and criminal trials in order to provide a ready forum for review of proposed changes that may be generated by court decisions, committee recommendations, or other proposals, foster greater statewide uniformity in this area, and address new jury selection issues, including being responsible for maintaining the Judiciary’s Bench Manual on Juror Selection.
Appointed by the court to five-year terms, the trustees meet monthly to consider reimbursement of claims of misappropriation of trust funds by former clients of lawyers who have been suspended or disbarred.
The committee prepares and updates model civil jury charges and related judges’ notes. Trial judges and litigants use the model charges to provide juries with accurate and understandable instructions on the law in civil cases.
The committee develops the appropriate model language for judges to explain to juries the controlling legal principles and questions that they must decide.
The committee studies possible improvements and modifications to the Part VII Court Rules Governing the Municipal Courts and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court relating to these rules. The committee may also occasionally make non-rule recommendations to the court relating to municipal court practice.
The committee has jurisdiction to provide guidance to Judiciary employees on the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees. The committee includes six judges, one Surrogate, four Judiciary employees, two practicing attorneys and three public members who serve two-year terms.
The committee studies possible improvements and modifications to the New Jersey Rules of Evidence and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court relating to these Rules.
The committee provides the Supreme Court with rule, non-rule and statutory recommendations pertaining to the special civil part.
The working group advises the Supreme Court on systemic issues facing the court system in the area of domestic violence.
The committee includes members of the bench and tax bar, representatives of taxpayers' groups, local, county and state tax administrators, and others concerned with the administration and review of New Jersey tax laws. The committee examines Part VIII of the NJ Court Rules and proposes amendments and new rules to the Supreme Court.
The committee monitors the nature and extent of systemic gender bias in the court system and provides training to the bench, bar and others on the subject of gender bias to help ensure fair treatment for women in the legal system.