- Excusal Requests, Excusal Requests & Required Documentation Complete the Complete Your Questionnaire juror qualification questionnaire, before, submitting a request to be excused. Mail or email all documentation to your county Jury Management Contact List Jury Management Office for processing. The court will let you know if more information is needed for your request. Active duty of the United States military You may request an excusal if you are on active duty., How, : Submit your current assignment information. Use any of these: A copy of orders A letter from your commanding officer A copy of ID card showing an active-duty assignment Active member of a volunteer fire department, fire patrol, first aid or rescue squad You may request excusal if your volunteer service is required., How, : Submit one of these: A letter from your captain on fire company letterhead. OR A copy of a current ID card showing active volunteer status. Financial hardship You may request an excusal if your service will make you unable to financially support yourself or your family., How, : Submit the Certification in Support of Request to be Excused from Jury Service Due to Severe Financial Hardship Certification in Support of Request to Be Excused from Jury Service Due to Severe Financial Hardship . The form must show all of these: Household income How much your employer will pay for jury service. The impact jury service will have on your ability to support yourself and your family. Full-time teacher Teachers who cannot find a replacement may ask to reschedule their jury service. You may request an excusal if you are a full-time teacher and there is no way to find a substitute. , How, : Submit a letter from your school superintendent. The letter must say the following: You are a full-time teacher at a primary, middle, or secondary school:, AND EITHER, The school requires you to be there because they do not have enough coverage, OR, You are an essential special education teacher who is required to work. Healthcare worker You may request an excusal if you are a healthcare worker under certain conditions: You are directly involved in the care of a person with a mental or physical disability,, AND, Your continued presence is essential to the regular and personal treatment of that person. , How, : Submit a letter from your employer that says your continued presence is essential to the regular and personal treatment of the person. Medical excuse You may request an excusal based on certain medical conditions: The condition must prevent you from serving on jury duty;, AND, The condition must be unlikely to change within a year., How, : A licensed doctor must complete and submit the Physician Certification in Support of Medical Excuse Request Physician Certification in Support of Medical Excuse Request form. Over the age of 75 If you are over the age of 75 and wish to be excused, only, for the upcoming summons date rather than permanently,, submit, your date of birth to the summoning jury management office. Personal obligation to care for a minor child or children If you care for a minor and no alternative childcare is available without causing a severe Financial hardship,, submit, the Certification in Support of Request for Excuse from Jury Service: Personal Obligation to Provide Care for Minor Child(ren) certification which states you are personally obligated to care for the minor child(ren) . Personal obligation to care for a sick, aged, or infirm dependent You may request an excusal to care for a dependent in certain cases: You must be the only caregiver for that person. Your continued presence is essential to the regular and personal treatment of that person., How, : Submit a letter from a doctor stating these facts. Nursing or expressing mothers If you are a mother who is nursing or expressing milk for a child one year of age or younger, you must submit the Certification in Support of Request for Excuse from Jury Service: Mothers Nursing or Expressing Milk for their Child(ren) One Year of Age or Younger Certification in Support of Request for Excuse from Jury Service: Mothers Nursing or Expressing Milk for their Child(ren) One Year of Age or Younger form. Provider of highly specialized technical healthcare services You may request an excusal if you provide certain healthcare services: You must be a provider of highly specialized technical healthcare services;, AND, No one else can replace you at your job., How, : Submit copy of your medical license and a letter from your employer that says no one else can perform your work. Previous jury service within the last three years You may request an excusal if you completed jury service in the same county in the past three years. You will not be excused if your recent jury service was in federal or district court instead of state court. , How, : Submit the date you served in either Petit Jury, Grand Jury, or State Grand Jury within the last three years.
- Parenting Coordinator Program, On This Page, Body This program is designed to help parents implement their parenting plan and resolve day-to-day parenting issues with the assistance of a neutral third party. For example, one parent wants to change the court-ordered visitation time and the other parent disagrees. The Parenting Coordinator would talk to each parent to see if they could agree and would make a recommendation if they could not agree. Benefits of a parenting coordinator include: Effective communication with a focus on the child’s best interest. Reduced misunderstandings and a process for parents to reach a mutual compromise. Reduced litigation in court. Lower costs and shorter timeframes., Find Your Own Parenting Coordinator, Under Court Rule 5:8D the court may appoint a parenting coordinator selected by the parties. This can be a professional who is not on the Judiciary's roster, or it can be someone the parents trust, such as a mutual friend or community member. The benefit of choosing someone they know is that the person is familiar with the family members and their unique situation. , Use a Parenting Coordinator from the Court’s Roster, The court can appoint a parenting coordinator from the Judiciary's roster of trained professionals. They are often attorneys, mediators, or mental health professions who have completed mandatory training. They charge an hourly fee for their services., Apply to Be a Parenting Coordinator, If you want to be listed on the court’s roster as a professional parenting coordinator, Application for Admission to the Roster of Statewide Approved Parenting Coordinators you need to apply . Approved parenting coordinators can also Roster of Statewide Parenting Coordinators Change/Update Form change or update their roster status . For more information, contact the Family Practice Division at 609-815-2900 ext. 55350 or email AOCFamily.Mailbox@njcourts.gov ., Parenting Coordinators Roster, Location - Any - Administrative Office of the Courts Atlantic Cumberland Hunterdon Mays Landing Morris Atlantic City Atlantic/Cape May Cape May Gloucester Somerset Sussex Bergen Salem Warren Burlington Camden Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Essex Hudson Mercer Middlesex Monmouth Morris/Sussex Ocean Passaic Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren Union New Jersey Search Apply Filters sort by Parenting Coordinator Parenting Coordinator Approved for DV Cases sort by Hourly Rate Hourly Rate Faudia A. Hameed Clemenza, Esq. Law Office of Faudia A. Hameed Clemenza 21 Main Street Court Plaza South West Wing Suite 352 Hackensack, NJ 07601 Phone: (551) 800-2705 Email: faudia@gmail.com Yes $300.00 Holly Friedland, Esq. Jacobs Berger, LLC 16 Washington St. Morristown, NJ 07960 Phone: (973) 710-4366 Fax: (973) 710-4367 Email: holly@jacobsberger.com Yes $400.00 Jennifer S. Hall, Esq. McKenna, DuPont, Stone & Washburne 229 Broad Street Red Bank, NJ 07724 Phone: (732) 741-6681 Fax: (732) 576-1787 Email: jstonehall@redbanklaw.com I provide assistance to parents who have experienced an ongoing pattern of high conflict and/or litigation regarding their children. Ihelp parents implement and comply with court orders and parenting plans by making timely decisions to diminish the pattern of unnecessary litigation, animosity andconflict. My focus remains on the children's best interest. Yes $400.00 David S. Gomberg, Ph.D. David S. Gomberg and Associates 169 Maplewood Ave Maplewood, NJ 07040 Phone: (973) 313-9289 Fax: (973) 763-5604 Email: david@gomberg-associates.com Yes $425.00 Tamsen Thorpe, Ph.D. Directions, CLS, LLC 20 Community Pl 4th Fl Morristown, NJ 07960 Phone: (973) 425-8868 Fax: (973) 539-3687 Email: drthorpe@directions-cls.com Dr. Thorpe has been certified In Mediation Training since 2006 from the NJ Institute For Continuing Legal Education (!CLE). She received her Basic Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training In 2008 from the Center for Mediation and Collaborative Divorce. She has been trained as a Parent Coordinator since 2005 through the Association of Family and Conciliatory Courts (AFCC). Dr. Thorpe also received training through the AFCC in the area of children and divorce specifically family reconciliation when a child is refusing parental visitation. She has taken numerous advanced courses to keep current in the area of high conflict families. No $350.00 Marcy A. Pasternak, Ph.D. Marcy Pasternak, Ph.D., P.A. 96 Joan Drive Watchung, NJ 07069 Phone: (908) 769-7949 Fax: (973) 753-4930 Email: marcypasternak@gmail.com Dr. Marcy Pasternak is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who practices in Watchung, N.J. She conducts parenting coordination, divorce mediation, therapeutic mediation, psychotherapy, and forensic psychological evaluations. Dr. Pasternak has served as a psychological expert in numerous counties and served on the Court Ad Hoc Committee for Parenting Coordination in 2006. Yes $450.00 Danielle Forshee, Ph.D. Dr. Danielle Forshee, LLC 280 Highway 35 Suire 402C Red Bank, NJ 07701 Phone: (732) 695-4353 Email: drforshee@drdanielleforshee.com Dr. Forshee is a Licensed Psychologist in New Jersey and Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey and New York, specializing in clinical and forensic psychology practice. Expertise includes high-conflict coparenting, personality, and psychological disorders. Dr. Forshee's approach is child-centered, focused on educating about children's needs and development relevant to coparenting disputes. Yes $400.00 Nicole A. Kobis, Esq. Lindabury McCormick Estabrook & Cooper 53 Cardinal Drive Westfield, NJ 07091 Phone: (908) 233-6800 Fax: (908) 233-5078 Email: nkobis@lindabury.com I work with parents to help navigate their differences focusing on what is in the children's best interests. I ensure that both parents feel that they are being treated fairly and have the opportunity to provide me with the reasoning for their beliefs and positions. Yes $385.00 Lynn B. Norcia, Esq. Norcia Law, LLC www.NorciaLaw.com P.O. Box 218 Millington, NJ 07946 Phone: (908) 255-3661 Fax: (908) 604-9746 Email: lnorcia@norcialaw.com As a parenting coordinator, I help parents move forward while always keeping their focus on the best interests of the children. I have extensive family mediation experience and regularly serve as a Guardian Ad Litem on behalf of the court. Flexible evening and weekend appointments are available via ZOOM. Yes $350.00 Elena K. Weitz, Esq. Offit Kurman, P.A. Court Plaza South 21 Main Street, Suite 158 Hackensack, NJ 07601 Phone: (973) 245-9854 Fax: (732) 218-1835 Email: elena.weitz@offitkurman.com I have a B.A. in psychology, focusing on early childhood development, and am a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years, solely devoted to practicing family law. I have represented countless litigants in their custody and parenting time disputes, and have experience in handling high conflict matters. No $370.00 Marianne Zembryski, Esq. Marianne Zembryski, LLC 67 Walnut Avenue Suite 109 Clark, NJ 07066 Phone: (732) 340-1813 Fax: (732) 340-1826 Email: mzembryski@mariannezembryski.com I have always maintained a resolution-oriented family law practice. The most rewarding service I can perform is assisting parties in reducing conflict and moving their lives forward, including when fulfilling the role of parenting coordinator. No $350.00 Rebecca P. Stern, JD Pearl Mediation 169 W. Grand Ave Montvale, NJ 07645 Phone: (917) 848-4224 Email: rebecca@pearlmediation.com Rebecca Stern is a divorce & family mediator, certified co-parenting specialist, parenting coordinator, special education parent advocate, and founder of Pearl Mediation. A professional problem-solver, Rebecca navigates clients through high-conflict situations, building child-focused enduring agreements that limit court involvement, and move families forward on solid ground feeling heard, educated and empowered. No $400.00 Melissa Cipriano, Esq. Cipriano Law Office, PC 175 Fairfield Ave Suite 4 C/D West Caldwell, NJ 07006 Phone: (973) 403-8600 Fax: (973) 403-8610 Email: mcipriano@ciprianolaw.com I have been practicing family law for 25 years. I am a qualified mediator and qualified domestic violence mediator. I am also trained in collaborative law. I am also a trial attorney having tried several divorce cases and domestic violence cases. I have also been a parent coordinator for several years and have now completed the statewide PC course. Yes $450.00 Laurie L. Newmark, Esq. Townsend Tomaio and Newmark 100 South Jefferson Rd. Whippany, NJ 07981 Phone: (973) 539-0075 Fax: (973) 539-4151 Email: lln@ttnlaw.com Laurie Newmark is a certified matrimonial attorney in the State of NJ. She is also a qualified mediator in the State of NJ and a licensed family mediator in the State of FL. Ms. Newmark has her B.A. in psychology and has completed the AFCC training for parent coordination. No $400.00 Linda A. Schofel, Esq., LCSW Snyder Sarno D'Aniello Marceri & da Costa LLC 425 Eagle Rock Avenue Roseland, NJ 07068 Phone: (973) 274-5200 Fax: (973) 275-5202 Email: lschofel@snydersarno.com Linda A. Schofel has been a family law attorney for more than 30 years. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is collaboratively trained. She is a trained mediator for domestic violence matters. Her background as a therapist and family lawyer has resulted in hundreds of parent coordination court appointments. Yes $360.00 Sharon R. Montgomery, Psy.D. Sharon Ryan Montgomery, Psy.D. 20 Community Place 4th Fl Morristown, NJ 07960 Phone: (973) 285-0579 Fax: (973) 539-3687 Email: sharonrmpsy@gmail.com I have been a clinical forensic psychologist for over forty years. I have conducted numerous evaluations, served as a Parenting Coordinator since 2000, conducted all types of interventions and mediations, and have a specialty as a Parent-Child Contact Problems. Yes $425.00 Cindy B. Wilson, Esq. Wilson Family Law LLC 667 Shunpike Road Suite 5 Chatham, NJ 07928 Phone: (973) 520-4275 Fax: (973) 738-0603 Email: cindy@wilsonfamilylawllc.com Cindy has focused her legal career on family law and conflict resolution. She is a Court-qualified mediator and trained in collaborative family law. She studies mediation at the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation. Cindy was a special education teacher and understands the complex needs of children. No $395.00 Allison E. Holzman, Esq. Ross & Calandrillo, LLC 200 Sheffield Street Suite 209 Mountainside, NJ 07092 Phone: (908) 398-2300 Fax: (908) 543-4801 Email: aeh@rcfamilylawyers.com No $350.00 Elizabeth A. Smith, Esq. Dennigan Cahill Smith, LLC 12 Roszel Road, Suite C205 Princeton, NJ 08540 Phone: (609) 919-1600 Fax: (609) 919-1601 Email: bethsmith@dcs-lawyers.com Beth holds dual degrees in law and social work. After receiving initial training 15 years ago, she has worked with dozens of families as a Parenting Coordinator and Guardian Ad Litem, being appointed by the court or referred to by counsel. Beth looks at families using a strengths-based perspective and works with parents to achieve better communication and accountability for the sake of their children. No $395.00 Amanda M. Yu, Esq. Drisgula Divorce & Family Law 1501 Hamburg Turnpike Wayne, NJ 07470 Phone: (973) 872-1200 Email: ayu@njdivorcesolutions.com No $375.00 Pagination 1 Go to page 2 2 Go to page 3 3 Go to last page 5 Last page Go to next page > Next page Showing 1 to 20 of 83 items
- Original Courtroom, Overview The following are photographs of the old Supreme Court courtroom and conference room, which were located in the Statehouse Annex adjacent to the Statehouse. The annex was built in the late 1920s and originally housed the Judiciary and the New Jersey State Library and New Jersey State Museum. The old courtroom and conference room have been converted into hearing rooms for the state Senate and Assembly. The conference room includes details such as stained-glass windows embossed with old court seals and dark wood paneled walls with a carved state seal. These stained-glass windows, embossed with the seals of the old courts prior to enactment of the 1947 constitution, are now hidden behind heavy curtains in the old Supreme Court conference room. Virtual Tour of the NJ Statehouse Annex (video) Part 1 Virtual Tour of the NJ Statehouse Annex (video) Part 2, Original Courtroom, Carousel Image Preview Original Courtroom from Front Original Courtroom from Front Carousel Image Preview Original Courtroom From Back Original Courtroom from Back Carousel Image Preview Clock at Back Entrance Clock at Back Entrance Carousel Image Preview Bookshelf Inside Original Courtroom Bookshelf Inside Original Courtroom Carousel Image Preview Doors to Conference Original Room Doors to Conference Original Room Carousel Image Preview Double Doors at Back of Original Courtroom Double Doors at Back of Original Courtroom Carousel Image Preview Bookcase in Original Courtroom Bookcase in Original Courtroom Previous Next, Original Conference Room, Carousel Image Preview Hallway Between Original Courtroom and Conference Room Hallway Between Original Courtroom and Conference Room Carousel Image Preview Seating In Original Conference Room Seating In Original Conference Room Carousel Image Preview Ceiling Details Inside Original Conference Room Ceiling Details Inside Original Conference Room Carousel Image Preview Original Conference Table Original Conference Table Carousel Image Preview Bookshelf in Original Conference Room Bookshelf in Original Conference Room Carousel Image Preview Wood Paneling and Lamp Inside Original Conference Room Wood Paneling and Lamp Inside Original Conference Room Carousel Image Preview Closeup of Law Books in Original Conference Room Closeup of Law Books in Original Conference Room Carousel Image Preview New Jersey State Seal Carved from Wood New Jersey State Seal Carved from Wood Carousel Image Preview Reading Chairs in Original Conference Room Reading Chairs in Original Conference Room Carousel Image Preview Reference Library in Old Conference Room Reference Library in Old Conference Room Previous Next, Art & Fixtures, Carousel Image Preview Stained Glass Window Depicting NJ State Seal Stained Glass Window Depicting NJ State Seal Carousel Image Preview Stained Glass Seal of New Jersey Supreme Court Stained Glass Seal of New Jersey Supreme Court Carousel Image Preview Stained Glass Seal of New Jersey Appellate Court Stained Glass Seal of New Jersey Appellate Court Carousel Image Preview Stained Glass Seal Quoting Psalm 24:1 Stained Glass Seal Quoting Psalm 24:1 Carousel Image Preview Stained Glass Seal of New Jersey Court of Chancery Stained Glass Seal of New Jersey Court of Chancery Carousel Image Preview Fireplace in Original Conference Room Fireplace in Original Conference Room Carousel Image Preview Ornate Fireplace Tools Ornate Fireplace Tools Carousel Image Preview Light Fixture Hanging from Original Courtroom Ceiling Light Fixture Hanging from Original Courtroom Ceiling Previous Next
- R.J. Hughes Justice Complex Architectural Background, On This Page, Body Background as written by Thomas L. Doremus, 2020, architect of the R.J. Hughes Justice Complex, Introduction, I joined The Grad Partnership as an Associate Architect early in 1977 and was assigned to work on the Justice Complex project. The partner in charge of that project was David Dibner, and the Project Architect, who was also the Project Manager, was Fredric Rosen. He was responsible for the design of the facility and all of its detailing and furnishing. I worked under Fred and was assigned responsibility for much of the detailing of the courthouse block and its courthouses. But everything I did was directed and approved by Fred, and he remains the overall designer for the Hughes Justice Complex. Although the team was remarkably small for such a large project, other architects with major influence on the design were John Doran, Construction Manager on the Grad side of the joint venture; Joan Humphreys, architectural designer and detailer; Eunice Chan, Interior Designer for the facility; and David Zugale, who joined us on occasion to offer design and rendering support. There were also Drafters, an occupation that hardly exists anymore in these days of computer drawing. A joint venture between The Grad Partnership and J. Robert Hillier Architects of Camden had been formed to design and build this important state facility. To my personal knowledge, all of the design was accomplished at The Grad Partnership's offices at One Gateway Center in Newark. Although I believe personnel from the Hillier firm attended monthly progress meetings with the client, I have no personal knowledge of their participation, being told that they would take responsibility for carrying out the construction, once the documents had been prepared by Grad. I never met anyone from their office that I can recall., Photo Gallery, Carousel Image Preview RJH Exterior 1 These are views of the exterior of the justice complex during construction and after completion. Carousel Image Preview Exterior RJH Complex 2 These are views of the exterior of the justice complex during construction and after completion. Carousel Image Preview Exterior RJH Complex 3 These are views of the exterior of the justice complex during construction and after completion. Carousel Image Preview Exterior RJH Complex 4 These are views of the exterior of the justice complex during construction and after completion. Carousel Image Preview Exterior RJH Complex 5 These are views of the exterior of the justice complex during construction and after completion. Carousel Image Preview Exterior RJH Complex 6 These are views of the exterior of the justice complex during construction and after completion. Carousel Image Preview Exterior RJH Complex 7 These are views of the exterior of the justice complex during construction and after completion. Carousel Image Preview Exterior RJH Complex 8 These are views of the exterior of the justice complex during construction and after completion. Carousel Image Preview Exterior RJH Complex 9 These are views of the exterior of the justice complex during construction and after completion. Carousel Image Preview Exterior RJH Complex 10 These are views of the exterior of the justice complex during construction and after completion. Carousel Image Preview Interior RJH Complex 1 Court room Carousel Image Preview Interior RJH Complex 2 Carousel Image Preview Interior RJH Complex 3 The Conference room under construction Previous Next Carousel Image Preview Interior RJH Complex 4 The Conference room on the fourth floor Carousel Image Preview Interior RJH Complex 5 The Court room under construction Carousel Image Preview Architect RJH Complex 1 Outside the Supreme Court courtroom Carousel Image Preview Architect RJH Complex 2 On the north wing looking up from the mezzanine Carousel Image Preview Architect RJH Complex 3 The view toward the rear of the Supreme Court courtroom Carousel Image Preview Architect RJH Complex 4 Looking up toward the glass roof from outside the Supreme Court courtroom (upside down) Carousel Image Preview Architect RJH Complex 5 Outside the fourth floor conference center looking toward the north wing Carousel Image Preview Architect RJH Complex 6 Outside the Supreme Court courtroom Carousel Image Preview Architect RJH Complex 7 In front of the current A room in the conference center Carousel Image Preview Architecture RJH Complex 8 The Supreme Court conference room Carousel Image Preview Architect RJH Complex 9 On the eight floor bridge looking toward the Chief Justice’s chambers Carousel Image Preview Architect RJH Complex 10 The office of the administrative director of the courts Previous Next, Summary, This is a review of the design process that resulted in the construction of the Richard Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton, NJ between 1977 and 1982. lt is based on my recollections as an architectural designer for The Grad Partnership. Most of the drawings were done by myself for presentation to the design committee as work progressed. There was a commitment among all of the design personnel to produce an exceptional facility appropriate to the status of New Jersey's judicial system and the state constitution of 1947. We agreed that the building should be comfortable and efficient for those who would occupy it, be as transparent and inviting as possible to the public and be monumental in standing for the distinctive qualities that make New Jersey the state that it is today., Purpose and Precedent, When I joined the design team as an Associate Architect early in 1977, the building program had been defined as a facility housing all of the functions of the Judiciary in New Jersey including the Supreme Court and one new Appellate Courtroom. In addition, the Department of the Attorney General was to be housed within the complex. Soon, the Department of the Public Advocate was added as well, in the face of much resistance from that agency which felt that it worked best as individual offices distributed throughout communities within Trenton. But those charged with preparing the program wanted a centralized operation, one where information could be traded quickly and informal meetings would be easy to arrange. Essentially, the Justice Complex was to be a building full of lawyers and its design was meant to ease discussion and encourage early settlement of legal issues. The result would be the largest office building in New Jersey at that time, about a million square feet. It was recognized that the Complex would have a symbolic role as the home of the Supreme Court in its role as interpreter of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. The Courtroom had previously been located within the State House and would now stand on its own as a separate branch of government. Given this importance, the design team considered as precedents other buildings that housed supreme courts among the states as well as the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. That building was not seriously taken as a model for New Jersey's new facility. In spite of its steel-frame construction, up-to-date for its date of completion in 1935, the Greek Revival-style massing and details were intended to match its neighbors in the District of Columbia where strong constraints were in place regarding the appearance of government buildings. Although the overall facilities are not very different in kind from what was proposed for Trenton (four-stories of offices surrounding a public courtroom), the symbolism of its function seemed to us to be overdone, even melodramatic, more suited to a centralized government than to a democracy. The courtroom itself, although meant to be open to the public, was buried deep within the marble pile behind an overscaled phalanx of Corinthian columns, hardly accessible let alone transparent. The seated Justices, as typically pictured through courtroom sketch artists, appeared to be uncomfortably high above the proceedings, peering over their substantial bench from immense chairs that all but devoured them. They were depicted leaning to and fro, trying to see past each other in three angled tightly spaced ranks of chairs. The design team favored a very comfortable environment for the New Jersey court to pursue its public duties. Although direct access by the public must of necessity be limited, we wanted the Courtroom to be as transparent as possible, both to express the openness of the deliberations to public scrutiny and, ideally, to introduce as much daylighting as possible into the space so that the occupants would have a sense of time passing as well as a connection to the world outside. The other state government buildings in Trenton, particularly the State House, were scattered around a neighborhood in no particular order or hierarchy in a variety of styles and sizes. It must be said that the State House itself, sadly, did not do much to represent a state with the history, importance and wealth of New Jersey. Unlike the impressive capitol buildings of neighboring states, New Jersey's is relatively small and unimposing, especially from the adjoining sidewalk where the public entrance is located. There is very little lawn or park around it, and it is approached much like a local library or bank. It may be thought fortuitous that it wouldn't be visible from the new Justice Complex which was to be located on a relatively tight site a block or so to the south across from Trenton's historic Trent House. The core of the State House, from 1790 and not visible from outside, is the third-oldest capitol building among the states, only Maryland's and Virginia's preceding it. Virginia's capitol in Richmond housed its Supreme Court of Appeals on an upper floor above the assembly chamber. It was designed under the influence of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States, who himself practiced architecture. Jefferson was very cognizant of designing buildings for a new form of democratic government, and studied the latest trends of thought among European builders, primarily those in Paris. Although access to Greece itself was limited by its Turkish occupation, models from classical Roman times in the Greek style could be easily found in France, along with plans and elevations of ancient works published in books. One of the local buildings, called "Maison Caree" in Nimes, was recommended to Jefferson by his Parisian contact, the architect Charles-Louis Clerisseau, as a model of Greek democracy. Jefferson's design for Virginia's Capitol reflected his strong preference towards a new style for the new form of government. It would be constructed in much the same way that its precedent had been. Methods of building had not changed very much in thousands of years and there was no reason for a new building to look very different from an older one of similar purpose. However, a great transformation was to occur in just a few decades. By the later part of' the nineteenth century, new products like structural steel and reinforced concrete would join new methods of servicing buildings mechanically such as elevators, escalators , heating, cooling, ventilating, lighting and supply of power made available new types of facilities, public, commercial and residential. The traditional ways of building were brought into question. New Jersey was part of that industrialization of' society in a definitive way. The state prospered from the transformation of its manufacturing processes and became a source for many different products, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and even structural steel and locomotives for a while. By the middle of the twentieth century, when its new state constitution was adopted, New Jersey's appellation as "The Garden State" had become something of' a joke to those who drove through the state on its up- to- date highways on their way between New York and Philadelphia because most of what they saw there was industrial in nature. It was these structures - bridges, towers, viaducts in steel or concrete that brought another influence into our project. Just as New Jersey had brought itself into the modern age through its new constitution, the building where that constitution was to be interpreted and maintained would be just as up- to-date as we could make it., The Site, As has been mentioned, there was no coherent plan for the capitol buildings in Trenton. Vast areas of surface parking covered what might have been landscaped parks and plazas for the government center. The Justice Complex, therefore, needed to be self-contained, imposing by itself without a larger vision. The tightness of the site made an approach through landscaped grounds impractical. It was decided that the courthouses could be placed in a block of their own which might be embraced by the much larger office facilities, arranged as a background. If that block were raised (at a scale inconceivable to Thomas Jefferson), the space below it could form a sizable indoor room that would be suitable for announcements, events and exhibitions. Views to the Delaware River passing not far away would be greatly enhanced for both the public block and the offices behind. Since the site sloped down to the south and east, parking could be enclosed in a podium below the offices with landscaped areas above., Function and Themes, The new facility would address a need for space perceived as accompanying two large new tax initiatives in New Jersey: an income tax and permitting casino gambling in Atlantic City with expected revenues. So a tax courtroom was added to the stack of public rooms, as well as a large, divisible conference center meant to be accessible to the public without their entering the agency spaces. The office floors were to be as flexible as possible, easily modified as necessary for people sitting at desks with more or less privacy through partitions of different heights. Any ceremonial events which might be expected at such a facility could be held in the large open public space on the ground floor below the courthouse block. Clear separation of public and private functions would be enhanced by physical distance between them in the form of a continuous skylighted atrium crossed by bridges to connect the floors. Open galleries along this atrium on each floor would enhance encounters between staff members from the three main government agencies: the Department of the Attorney General, the Department of the Public Advocate and the Judiciary. The statues of Justice blindfolded holding a pair of scales, so familiar from hundreds of courthouses around the nation, represent a duality characteristic of such facilities. They express an ideal of disinterested judgment between two arguments, one made by the state as a charge and the other as a response by the citizen involved or their representative. Thus, the Judiciary oversees the judicial operations of the Department of the Attorney General and the Department of the Public Advocate, which represent opposing sides. But this balance, in operation, is equivalent rather than equal. The two departments exist in very different relations to the public and the Attorney-General's offices are far larger than those of the Public Advocate, which preferred not to be incorporated into the complex in the first place. So there is a quality of symmetry/ asymmetry, of equivalence rather than equality in the nature of the program. This is a theme that would have a great influence in the design of the building. Pedagogy was another theme that was felt to be important, especially in configuring the spaces in the courthouse block. The symbolic nature of the Supreme Court invited a focus on the structure of legal procedure within New Jersey. Visitors to the complex were expected, including public school students on excursions, and if the building could explain itself through its layout and composition, it would enhance their experience. This was in resonance with the overall theme of transparency in the workings of the laws of the state., Character of the Environment, The design team had agreed that the new facility must reflect the tradition of equal justice for all throughout the United States, while embodying New Jersey's status as a modern industrial society. The 1947 state constitution was regarded proudly as a model for a democratic society and, in fact, program spaces were to be set aside for visitors from other states and nations to observe the application of New Jersey's laws to contemporary situations. Chief Justices Richard Hughes and, after 1978, Robert Wilentz took the lead in demanding a modern facility of a stature and quality suited to the state's view of itself as an up-to-date democracy prepared for the challenges of the upcoming 21s century through its legal structures. To that end, a method was devised, along with Governor Brendan Byrne, of financing the proposed building through bonds floated by Mercer County rather than try to pass legislation through the State Assembly where the traditional conflict between the northern and southern parts of the state would most likely raise costs. The bonds were set to mature after thirty years, so in 2012 the state purchased the Justice Complex from Mercer County for one dollar. The single quality that would determine the appearance of the new building was "silver", meaning light in both substance and materials. Simple, clean geometric forms would predominate with spare, thin surfaces and a minimal of detailing as appropriate. The inevitably immense size of the office block would impact its neighborhood as a shining background articulated with a simple grid. The interior would be lit through ribbons of high, wide windows that brought in as much daylighting as could be managed while maximizing the efficiency of mechanically tempered ventilating air. The courthouses would sit centrally stacked in a block above a communal entrance plaza minimally screened from the exterior by the thinnest possible glazing. This plaza would be inviting to all by means of transparency. The organization of the two major courtrooms, Supreme and Appellate, along with the Tax Courtroom and conference center would be organized on alternating single and double-height spaces aligned with the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth floors, with the Supreme Courtroom at the top and its associated support spaces, including the offices of the Chief Justice and his staff, adjoining on floors cantilevered out over the plaza., Structure and Skin, The primary stylistic trope of Jefferson's Virginia Capitol, the 1935 U.S. Supreme Court Building and just about all neoclassical/Federal-style buildings is the classical colonnade. For the ancient Greeks who invented it, it represented the act of construction itself as a sacred endeavor when done for the purpose of serving a god. In the high Classical age during the Fifth Century B.C., the colonnade was codified in marble according to the importance of the gods that the building was dedicated to. Three orders of details-Doric, Ionic and Corinthia - are seen as the basis for standards of carving that commemorated the original wooden columnar structures of the older Greeks. For Jefferson, a dedicated student of Classical architecture as it was known in the 18'h century, the structure of the colonnade represented the soundness of government itself. As you approach the Capitol in Richmond, it stands above on a hill at the top of a wide, stone stair-although this was not the way the building was always entered. Today, the visitor sees first the great colonnade above and then continues to pass through the phalanx of shafts before entering the simple, rectangular block of the building, rendered in white stucco over brick with decorated marble surrounds at the windows which, parenthetically, were decidedly not part of the ancient kit of parts. The structure of the new Justice Complex with its great courthouse block overhanging a public plaza, was not anything that would have been conceived either by the ancient Greek builders or by Jefferson. The overhanging is achieved through a cantilever, a means of supporting an elevated load at one end only. Cantilevering at a modest scale is possible with wood, as the overhanging eaves of many wooden roofs demonstrate. But at the scale of the Justice Complex, structural steel with great strength in tension is required, and that is a material of modern times that makes our contemporary structures buildable. The support of the courthouse block is achieved through two orders of cantilevered trusses. A pair of each, one full story tall, connect at the outermost northwest corners of the fourth and seventh floors and support the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth floors at their bottoms and tops. These outrigger trusses are themselves held in place by pairs of two-story trusses that run through the four column structures which bear the total weight of the courthouse block. Structural steel must be fireproofed, so it usually can't be seen directly. At the Justice Complex, the design team decided to cover the fireproofed structure with silver aluminum in a way that reflected the configuration of the steel members. The quadruple sets of four columns would be circled by a thin wrap of aluminum skin, while the trusses, where visible, would be covered in folded wrappers that revealed their disposition. In this way, an analog to the Jeffersonian Federal celebration of structure is applied to express the scale and power of the judicial state. The articulation contrasts with the simple flat background of the office block behind., Geometry, The courtrooms themselves-Supreme, Appellate and Tax-would be stacked in a hierarchy. The spaces would be carved out of a square prism of space which, intersected by the truss structure, would be truncated at the ends to form an almost equilateral octagon. The Supreme Court would occupy the entire octagon, day lit from the four truncated corners by a wall of glass. The Justices would sit at an arced bench occupying one quadrant of the room, with the public galleries opposite within one-half of the space. The appellant would stand at the exact geometric center of the block behind a rostrum, expressing the position of the citizen at the center of government in a democracy. This format would be copied to some extent in the double-height Appellant Courtroom which was to be cruciform at the ceiling with triangular lobbies carved out at the corners. Single story preparation rooms at two of the glazed sides would reduce the floor of the courtroom to a rectangle, again with a three-judge bench opposing a public gallery. Once again, the appellant occupied the center on a rostrum. The single-story Tax Court would repeat the floor plan of the Appellate Courtroom below it. So all three courtrooms in the Justice Complex would share a common configuration adjusted for the hierarchy of the proceedings taking place within them. The conference center at the fourth floor was where most jurisprudence was expected to take place. Formal court proceedings are a small fraction of the business of justice, and it is always more efficient for an issue to reach settlement through negotiation, if that can be achieved. Visible through the trusses, the hierarchy of the courtrooms can be readily discerned from any of the galleries surrounding the atrium, and the building itself can be used to elucidate the processes of justice to visitors., Approach and Circulation, At the entrance level, continuity between exterior and interior was maximized by the details of the encompassing wall panels and the pa\ing. The structural grid of the office block is based on a module of thirty feet by thirty feet, and the wall panels repeat this module in the joints between. At the boundary, a glass wall provides the separation from the exterior off the main grid to reinforce the lightness of the barrier. This wall is built of thick tempered glass braced by glass fins, raised in two ranks -with an intermediate supporting beam. At the atrium, additional ranks of glass rise to the skylight at the roof. The supporting beams are recessed to allow the surface of the barrier to slide past as a continuous, thin membrane. The ceiling below the overhanging courthouse block, as well as the white fill-in panels at the ends, are detailed to let the glass slice through as needed with minimal detailing. The pattern in the granite paving is based on a three-foot grid with two nine-foot-wide paths on the axes of the twin approaches. This pattern is not interrupted by the glass barrier. As the paths reach the center of the entrance hall, the pavement gradually expands until they intersect at a nine - foot square paver which is directly beneath the rostra in the Supreme, Appellate and Tax Courtrooms above. From here, the Department of the Public Advocate was approached directly on the eastern side of the hall, while escalators on the east and south respectively led up to elevator banks accessing the Judiciary and the Department of the Attorney General. Elevators open on each level to a gallery facing the courthouses across a skylighted atrium. The courthouses themselves, as public spaces, are approached by v,ide bridges that cross the atrium and then through the encompassing trusses in a manner similar to Jefferson's Capitol in Richmond. The representation of structure in this case is a modern steel truss rather than a classical colonnade, but the spatial experience is the same., Surface and Details, The major components of the Justice Complex are the structural system, the skin cladding the office block and the courthouse, the paving at the entrance level and the ceiling above the entrance hall, suspended from the courthouse block above. These components were meant to be seen as independent, coherent systems and so were detailed with clear separations between them and an emphasis on articulation and how they fit together. The minimal articulation of the aluminum cladding panels emphasizes the thinness of the silver skin, a light wrapping around the eight stories of interior space. Where this skin is penetrated, primarily at the bridges between the offices and the courthouse, it drops away to reveal a white surface against the floor slabs of the office. Because the state required operable windows in the offices, opening ventilation slots were incorporated below the windows, although the mechanical systems in such a large space were designed to take care of all ventilation requirements. On the courthouse block, with its stack of single- and double-height rooms, the pattern varies with glazing optimized to reveal the supporting trusses behind. The main exterior facades on the north and west are continuous silver and glass, while the sides facing the interior galleries have a white infill on the exterior side of the glazed wall. The trusses are revealed here as well. The expression of structure at the courthouse block is probably the most important style element of the complex. The four quadruple columns are wrapped in cylinders of thin aluminum that are visibly penetrated by the truss elements reaching in to the columns. The fireproofed truss elements are wrapped in folded aluminum sheaths that represent the structural shape of the steel members inside. The consistency of the supporting structure is rendered clear and visible. The aluminum ceiling suspended below the courthouses and extending beyond the glass wall to the edge of the overhanging block outside are detailed as white ribbons with reveals between to emphasize the axial approach below. Where the courthouses occupy the floors above, the reveals are dropped. All of the detailing is meant to reinforce a consistent perception of space as one approaches the courthouse. Furthermore, the hierarchy of judicial action, from conference level through tax and appellate functions to the Supreme Court as final adjudicator is communicated through the ceiling heights and disposition of space. The Supreme Courtroom has special finishes, including marble sheathing on the walls and carved-glass windows., Special Spaces, On the seventh floor of the courthouse block is the office suite for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This includes a large corner office facing the Delaware River, a personal conference room with associated administrative areas, and an elliptical Supreme Court Conference Room where the Justices can meet privately outside of formal proceedings. Chambers for several Associate Justices with their accompanying administrative space were also planned, as was an extensive library for the Court itself. The Administrative Officer of the Court was assigned an office on the sixth floor. On the first floor of the south office block, one level above the entrance, a cafeteria was provided with access to the landscaping above the parking garage. Otherwise, the great amount of open floor space was left to be as flexible as possible for the changing needs of the judicial offices over time.
- About Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, The New Jersey Supreme Court sits in the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton. The eight-story, steel and aluminum structure was completed and opened by then - Gov. Brendan T. Byrne in January 1982. The 1.2 million-square-foot complex also houses the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Department of Law and Public Safety and the Public Defender. The building is named for the only person in New Jersey history to serve as governor and chief justice. Hughes, who died in December 1992 at the age of 83, was governor of New Jersey from 1962 to 1970 and served as chief justice from 1973 to 1979. From 1929 until 1982, the Supreme Court sat a short distance away in the Statehouse Annex, where standing lawyers looked down on seated justices in a space known for its poor lighting and acoustics. The old courtroom is now a meeting room for legislative committees. Planning for the justice complex began in 1977 and construction began the following year. The main portion of the building forms a "V" around a center cube that holds the Supreme Court courtroom, two additional courtrooms and office/conference space. Indoor bridges connect the offices on the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth floors. The main entrance to the building leads into the lobby/atrium, which is open through 10 stories to a skylight on the roof. Arguments in the new Supreme Court courtroom were first held on March 21, 1983. The courtroom was formally dedicated on April 15, 1983 during a ceremony attended by about 90 federal and state court judges and officials, executive branch officials, members of the Legislature, and representatives of the bar, contractors, and state employee unions. U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., a former New Jersey trial court judge who also sat on the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1952 until 1956, then-New Jersey Chief Justice Robert N. Wilentz, and then - Gov. Thomas H. Kean spoke. Brennan and Hughes were seated at the bench with members of the Supreme Court. The 10,800-square-foot Supreme Court courtroom features a 21-foot tall ceiling, sloping to 18 feet in the center, a 22.5-foot high skylight, polished walls fashioned from Vermont marble and etched glass created by glass artist Benoit Gilsoul. The bench, counsel's tables and podium were crafted from African mahogany veneer. There are two sets of bookcases, each seven feet tall, on either side behind the bench, and there are 80 upholstered theater-style chairs in curved rows on either side of the main entrance. Perhaps some of the most interesting characteristics of the justice complex are its artwork, specifically the life-size bronze sculptures by New Jersey native J. Seward Johnson, a scion of the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical conglomerate. Three works by sculptor Beverly Pepper, "Mute Metaphor," "Symbiotic Marker," and "Primary Presence," are located in the lobby of the justice complex, and a bust of Brennan is displayed in the glass breezeway between the Supreme Court courtroom and lobby on the eighth floor. The bust, which was sculpted by Jon Robert Bailey, was dedicated on Jan. 30, 2001. For a full story, written by the building architect, on how and why the R. J. Hughes building was constructed - please visit our R.J. Hughes Justice Complex Architectural Background R.J. Hughes Architectural page . Photo Gallery R.J.H. Justice Complex Carousel One
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- Briefs from Argued Cases, Search Start End Apply Filters A-2308-21 IN THE MATTER OF NICOLE-KIRSTIE LLC VS. NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION) Briefs A-2308-21 Briefs A-2308-21 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 30, 2025 A-2603-23 STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. DARYL M. WILLIAMS A/K/A DARYL WILLIAMS Briefs A-2603-23 Briefs A-2603-23 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 30, 2025 A-0203-24 MOERAE MATRIX, INC. VS. MCCARTER & ENGLISH, LLP, BEVERLY W. LUBIT, ESQ. Briefs A-0203-24 Briefs A-0203-24 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 30, 2025 A-2009-23 529 WATERFRONT PROPERTIES, LP VS. MICHAEL GARGIULO, ET AL. Briefs A-2009-23 Briefs A-2009-23 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 30, 2025 A-2700-23 MICHAEL BATTISTA; ET AL. VS. MICHAEL GARGIULO AND PATRICIA GARGIULO Briefs A-2700-23 Briefs A-2700-23 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 30, 2025 A-0147-24 BETH HAAS VS. BRETT HAAS PAUL Briefs A-0147-24 Briefs A-0147-24 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 29, 2025 A-0424-24 IN THE MATTER OF THE NEW JERSEY SOLAR TRANSITION PURSUANT TO P.L. 2018, C. 17 - APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION OF SOLAR FACILITY AS ELIGABLE FOR TRECS PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (T) OF THE SOLAR ACT OF 2012 - KOBER SOLAR AUTO PARTS, INC. Briefs A-0424-24 Briefs A-0424-24 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 29, 2025 A-3975-23 IN THE MATTER OF THE SOLAR TRANSITION PURSUANT TO L. 2018, C. 17 - APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION OF SOLAR FACILITY AS ELIGIBLE FOR TRECS PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (T) OF THE SOLAR ACT OF 2012 - REEDER PROPERTY SOLAR FARM, LLC, BLOCK 7, LOT 11 Briefs A-3975-23 Briefs A-3975-23 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 29, 2025 A-1476-23 IN RE CHALLENGE OF CLAYTON SAND COMPANY TO DECEMBER 4, 2023 AMENDMENTS TO N.J.A.C. 7:50-1.1 ET SEQ. Briefs A-1476-23 Briefs A-1476-23 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 29, 2025 A-3581-23 JOHN SLOAN VS. CAPE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, INC., ET AL. Briefs A-3581-23 Briefs A-3581-23 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 29, 2025 A-3881-23 JEFFREY BOVA, ET AL. VS. THE TOWNSHIP OF JACKSON PLANNING BOARD, ET AL. Briefs A-3881-23 Briefs A-3881-23 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 29, 2025 A-0291-24 AAKASH DALAL VS. JOHN L. MOLINELLI Briefs A-0291-24 Briefs A-0291-24 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 29, 2025 A-1081-24 NAGEL RICE, LLP VS. STARKEY, KELLY, KENNEALLY, CUNNINGHHAM & TURNBACH Briefs A-1081-24 Briefs A-1081-24 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 28, 2025 A-1763-24 PAL PARK BOYS, LLC VS. CITY OF HOBOKEN, RAVINDER SINGH BHALLA Briefs A-1763-24 Briefs A-1763-24 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 28, 2025 A-0722-24 NATURE'S TOUCH MED NJ, LLC D/B/A NATURE'S TOUCH VS. CITY OF HOBOKEN, ET AL. Briefs A-0722-24 Briefs A-0722-24 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 28, 2025 A-2854-24 TREVOR MILTON VS. CNBC, INC., NATHAN ANDERSON, AND HINDENBURG RESEARCH, LLC Briefs A-2854-24 Briefs A-2854-24 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 28, 2025 A-2791-24 TREVOR MILTON VS. CNBC, INC., NATHAN ANDERSON, AND HINDENBURG RESEARCH, LLC Briefs A-2791-24 Briefs A-2791-24 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 28, 2025 A-1414-24 VILLAS AT MANVILLE LLC VS. BROOKS TOWNHOUSES LLC Briefs A-1414-24 Briefs A-1414-24 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 28, 2025 A-1176-22 STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. FERREIE JOHNSON Briefs A-1176-22 Briefs A-1176-22 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 28, 2025 A-0179-25 ML, INC. VS. EDISON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION ET AL. Briefs A-0179-25 Briefs A-0179-25 Briefs Close Argued: Oct. 27, 2025 Pagination 1 Go to page 2 2 Go to page 3 3 Go to last page 37 Last page Go to next page > Next page Showing 1 to 20 of 734 items
- Recent Arguments Before the Supreme Court, We welcome your questions or feedback about the Supreme Court Webcasts. Please email us at Webcast.Mailbox@njcourts.gov . If you require a caption file of a below webcast, please email us at WebMaster.Mailbox@njcourts.gov . Webcasts also are available, along with appeal summaries and other case-related information, on the Supreme Court Appeals page. Watch the Court’s remarks commemorating the final oral argument sessions for Justice Jaynee LaVecchia , Justice Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina , Justice Barry T. Albin , and Justice Lee A. Solomon . Watch the Memorial remarks for Justice Coleman and Justice Handler Memorial Justice James H. Coleman Jr. and Justice Coleman and Justice Handler Memorial Justice Alan B. Handler ., Oral Argument Videos Forthcoming, Nov. 3, 2025 A-1-25 State v. Paul J. Caneiro (091055) Under the circumstances presented, where defendant’s house was on fire, was the warrantless seizure of evidence from the garage justified under the exigent circumstances exception to the warrant requirement?, Note:, The Court imposed an expedited, peremptory briefing schedule in this matter. Any motion for leave to appear as amicus curiae shall be served and filed through eCourts Supreme, with the proposed amicus brief, on or before 9/24/25. For information about submitting an amicus filing, please call the Clerkâs Office at 609-815-2955 609-815-2955 . No further submissions will be accepted unless requested by the Court. Leave to Appeal Granted Posted Argued Nov. 3, 2025 A-67-24 Cassandra Gigi Smith v. Newark Community Health Centers, Inc. (089809) Under the New Jersey Charitable Immunity Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-7 to -11, is defendant Newark Community Health Centers, Inc., organized exclusively for educational purposes, organized for charitable purposes such that a source-of-funds assessment was required, or organized exclusively for hospital purposes such that it is liable for up to $250,000 under N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-8? Certification Granted Posted Argued Briefs: A-67-24 Petition For Certification A-67-24 Respondent Brief A-67-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Nov. 3, 2025 A-32-24 State v. Tyrell S. Lansing (090121) Under Rule 1:2-1(b), should defendant’s expert be permitted to testify remotely at an evidentiary hearing and at trial? Leave to Appeal Granted Posted Argued Briefs: A-32-24 Brief In Support Of Motion A-32-24 Answering Brief Letter A-32-24 Appellate Division Brief A-32-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief A-32-24 Supplemental Respondent Brief A-32-24 Pashman Stein et al. Amicus Curiae Brief A-32-24 Lowenstein Sandler Amicus Curiae Brief A-32-24 Attorney General Amicus Curiae Brief, Webcast Archive, Oct. 21, 2025, A-68-24 In the Matter of the Verified Petition for the Proposed Creation of a PK-12 All-Purpose Regional School District (090182) A-68-24 A-68-24 Audio for A-68-24 Close Briefs: A-68-24 Petition for Certification A-68-24 Respondent Brief A-68-24 Respondent Brief Letter A-47-24 State v. Gerald W. Butler (090237) A-47-24 A-68-24 Part 1 Audio for A-68-24 Part 1 A-68-24 Part 2 Audio for A-68-24 Part 2 Close Briefs: A-47-24 Petition for Certification Letter A-47-24 Respondent Brief Letter A-47-24 Appellate Division Brief A-47-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief A-47-24 Supplemental Respondent Brief A-47-24 American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey Amicus Brief Letter A-47-24 Pashman Stein et al. Amicus Curiae Brief A-35-24 In the Matter of P.T. Jibsail Family Limited Partnership Tidelands License Number 1515-06-0012.1 TDI 190001 (089547) A-35-24 A-35-24 Audio for A-35-24 Close Briefs: A-35-24 Petition for Certification A-35-24 Respondent Brief Letter A-35-24 Respondent Brief A-35-24 Reply Brief A-35-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Letter A-35-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief A-35-24 Supplemental Respondent Brief A-35-24 Attorney General Supplemental Brief, Oct. 20, 2025, A-43-24 State v. Jeremy Arrington (090216) A-43-24 A-43-24 Audio for A-43-24 Close Briefs: A-43-24 Petition for Certification A-43-24 Appellate Division Brief A-43-24 Appellate Division Pro Se Supplemental Brief A-43-24 Appellate Division Reply Brief A-43-24 Respondent Brief Letter A-43-24 Appellate Division Brief A-43-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief A-43-24 Supplemental Respondent Brief A-43-24 Gibbons PC Amicus Curiae Brief A-43-24 ACLU of New Jersey Amicus Curiae Brief A-43-24 Attorney General Amicus Curiae Brief A-59-24 State v. Kader S. Mustafa (090329) A-59-24 A-59-24 Part 1 Audio for A-59-24 Part 1 A-59-24 Part 2 Audio for A-59-24 Part 2 Close Briefs: A-59-24 Petition for Certification A-59-24 Respondent Brief Letter A-59-24 Appellate Division Brief A-59-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief A-59-24 American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey Amicus Curiae Brief Letter A-59-24 Attorney General Amicus Curiae Brief A-59-24 Gibbons PC Amicus Curiae Brief A-59-24 Appellant Response to Amicus Curiae Brief Letter A-46-24 In the Matter of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and AFSCME Local 888 (090230) A-46-24 A-46-24 Audio for A-46-24 Close Briefs: A-46-24 Petition for Certification A-46-24 Respondent Brief A-46-24 Beckett Paris LLC Respondent Brief A-46-24 Reply Brief A-46-24 Zazzali PC Amicus Curiae Brief A-46-24 Weissman & Mintz LLC Amicus Curiae Brief A-46-24 Attorney General Amicus Curiae Brief A-46-24 Sills Cummis & Gross Response to NJEA Amicus Curiae Brief A-46-24 Sills Cummis & Gross Response to Attorney General Amicus Curiae Brief A-46-24 Sills Cummis Response to American Federation of Teachers et al. Amicus Curiae Brief, Oct. 9, 2025, A-34-24 Mist Pharmaceuticals, LLC v. Berkley Insurance Company (089689) A-34-24 A-34-24 Audio for A-34-24 Close Briefs: A-34-24 Petition For Certification A-34-24 Respondent Brief A-34-24 Reply Brief A-34-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief A-34-24 Supplemental Respondent Brief A-44-24 State v. Jule Hannah (089819) A-44-24 A-44-24 Part 1 Audio for A-44-24 Part 1 A-44-24 Part 2 Audio for A-44-24 Part 2 Close Briefs: A-44-24 Petition For Certification A-44-24 Respondent Brief Letter A-44-24 Appellate Division Brief A-44-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief A-44-24 Supplemental Respondent Brief A-44-24 Aclu Amicus Curiae Letter A-44-24 Gibbons PC Amicus Curiae Brief A-44-24 Pashman Stein et al. Amicus Curiae Brief A-44-24 Appellant Response To Amicus Curiae Brief A-45-24 Andris Arias v. County of Bergen (089642) A-45-24 A-45-24 Audio for A-45-24 Close Briefs: A-45-24 Petition For Certification A-45-24 Respondent Brief A-45-24 Reply Brief A-45-24 Britcher Leone Sergio Amicus Curiae Brief A-45-24 Genova Burns Amicus Curiae Brief, Oct. 6, 2025, A-27-24 Sergio Lopez v. Marmic LLC (089632) A-27-24 A-27-24 Part 1 Audio for A-27-24 Part 1 A-27-24 Part 2 Audio for A-27-24 Part 2 Close Briefs: A-27-24 Petition For Certification A-27-24 Respondent Brief A-27-24 Reply Brief A-27-24 Amicus Curiae Brief A-27-24 Respondent Response To Amicus Curiae Brief A-27-24 Seton Hall Center For Social Justice Amicus Curiae Brief A-27-24 Rutgers Law And Upenn Carey School Of Law Amcius Curiae Brief A-27-24 Attorney General Amicus Curiae Brief A-27-24 Costello Mains et al. Amicus Curiae Brief A-27-24 Respondent Response To Amicus Curiae Brief A-42-24 Despina Alice Christakos v. Anthony A. Boyadjis, Esq. (090214) A-42-24 A-42-24 Audio for A-42-24 Close Briefs: A-42-24 Brief In Support Of Motion A-42-24 New Jersey State Bar Association Amicus Curiae Brief A-42-24 Appellant Response To Amicus Curiae Brief, Sept. 26, 2025, A-36-24 Russell Forde Hornor v. Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education (089973) A-36-24 A-36-24 Part 1 Audio for A-36-24 Part 1 A-36-24 Part 2 Audio for A-36-24 Part 2 Close Briefs: A-36-24 Brief in Support of Motion A-36-24 Answering Brief A-36-24 Reply Brief A-36-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief A-36-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Renaud Collicchio LLC A-36-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Scarinici Hollenbeck A-36-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Levy Konigsberg LLP A-36-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Howarth and Associates LLC A-36-24 Supplemental Respondent Brief A-36-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Attorney General A-36-24 Appellant Response to Amicus Brief Attorney General A-36-24 Appellant Response to Amicus Curiae Other A-36-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Hach Rose et al. A-36-24 Respondent Reply Amicus Brief A-37/38/39-24 Ormond Simpkins, Jr. v. South Orange-Maplewood School District (089974) A-37/38/39-24 A-37/38/39-24 Part 1 Audio for A-37/38/39-24 Part 1 A-37/38/39-24 Part 2 Audio for A-37/38/39-24 Part 2 Close, Sept. 25, 2025, A-62/63-24 State v. Jamel Carlton (090241) A-62/63-24 A-62/63-24 Audio for A-62/63-24 Close A-24-24 Horace Cowan v. New Jersey State Parole Board (089243) A-24-24 A-24-24 Part 1 Audio for A-24-24 Part 1 A-24-24 Part 2 Audio for A-24-24 Part 2 Close Briefs: A-24-24 Petition for Certification A-24-24 Respondent Brief Letter A-24-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief A-24-24 Supplemental Respondent Brief A-24-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Pashman Stein et al. A-24-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Seton Hall Law School Center for Social Justice A-24-24 Amicus Curiae Brief ACLU of New Jersey A-31-24 Giuseppe Amato v. Township of Ocean School District (090133) A-31-24 A-31-24 Audio for A-31-24 Close Briefs: A-31-24 Brief in Support of Motion Letter A-31-24 Answering Brief Letter A-31-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Levinson Axelrod PA A-31-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Pellettieri Rabstein Altman A-31-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Zazzali Law A-31-24 Appellant Response to Amicus Brief Letter D-109-24 IMO Scott Eric Diamond (090728) D-109-24 D-109-24 Audio for D-109-24 Close D-110-24 IMO Jesse M. Cohen (090729) D-110-24 D-110-24 Audio for D-110-24 Close, Sept. 9, 2025, A-26-24 In the Matter of the Certificates of Nicholas Cilento, State Board of Examiners, New Jersey Department of Education (089658) A-26-24 A-26-24 Audio for A-26-24 Close Briefs: A-26-24 Petition for Certification A-26-24 Respondent Brief Letter A-26-24 Reply Brief A-26-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Schwartz Law Group LLC A-26-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Zazzali PC A-26-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief Letter A-26-24 Supplemental Respondent Brief A-28-24 Extech Building Materials, Inc. v. E&N Construction, Inc. (089720) A-28-24 A-28-24 Audio for A-28-24 Close Briefs: A-28-24 Petition for Certification A-28-24 Respondent Brief A-28-24 Reply Brief, Sept. 8, 2025, A-48/49-24 In the Matter of Petition for Rulemaking to Amend N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.11, N.J.A.C. 10A:71-2.2, and N.J.A.C. 10A:71-3.20 (089529) A-48/49-24 A-48/49-24 Audio for A-48/49-24 Close Briefs: A-48/49-24 Petition for Certification A-48/49-24 Respondent Brief Letter A-48/49-24 Reply Brief A-48/49-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Seton Hall Law School A-29-24 C.A.L. v. State of New Jersey (089655) A-29-24 A-29-24 Audio for A-29-24 Close D-104-24 IMO Mendel Zilberberg (090690) D-104-24 D-104-24 Audio for D-104-24 Close D-65-24 IMO Jon Mitchell De Masi (090308) D-65-24 D-65-24 Audio for D-65-24 Close, July 1, 2025, D-89-24 IMO Stacey Dawn Wilson (090583) D-89-24 D-89-24 Audio for D-89-24 Close D-88-24 IMO Brittany L. Parisi (090564) D-88-24 D-88-24 Audio for D-88-24 Close D-79-24 IMO Rodrigo Sanchez (090469) D-79-24 D-79-24 Audio for D-79-24 Close, April 29, 2025, A-25-24 States Newsroom Inc. v. City of Jersey City (089943) A-25-24 A-25-24 Audio for A-25-24 Close A-40-24 Donald Whiteman v. Township Council of Berkeley Township (089641) A-40-24 A-40-24 Audio for A-40-24 Close Briefs: A-40-24 Petition for Certification A-40-24 Respondent Brief A-40-24 Reply Brief A-20-24 State v. Delshon J. Taylor Jr. (089386) A-20-24 A-20-24 Audio for A-20-24 Close Briefs: A-20-24 Petition for Certification A-20-24 Respondent Brief Letter A-20-24 Appellate Division Brief A-20-24 Supplemental Appellant Brief A-20-24 Supplemental Respondent Brief A-20-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Attorney General A-20-24 Response to Amicus Curiae Brief Letter A-20-24 Amicus Curiae Brief Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey A-20-24 Amicus Curiae Brief American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
- Court Holidays and Recesses 2025-2026, SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY, It is ORDERED that the schedule of legal holidays and court recesses for the trial division of the Superior Court and for the Tax Court for the court year commencing July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026, is as follows: Tuesday, July 1, 2025 First Day of 2025-2026 Court Year Friday, July 4, 2025 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Monday, September 1, 2025 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Monday, October 13, 2025 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Tuesday, November 4, 2025 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, November 24, 25, and 26, 2025 Statewide Judicial College (Emergent Matters Only) Thursday, November 27, 2025 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Thursday, December 25, 2025 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Friday, December 26, 2025 through Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Court Recess (Emergent Matters Only) Thursday, January 1, 2026 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Monday, January 19, 2026 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Monday, February 16, 2026 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Friday, April 3, 2026 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Monday, May 25, 2026 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Friday, June 19, 2026 Legal Holiday (Emergent Matters Only) Wednesday, July 1, 2026 First Day of 2026-2027 Court Year Dated: July 1, 2024
- Motion Day Schedule 2025-2026, SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY, It is ORDERED that for the court year commencing July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026, motions in all trial courts (including the Tax Court) shall be heard on Fridays or as otherwise provided by a judge pursuant to 1:6-2- Form of Motion; Hearing Rule 1 :6-2(b), except that motions to be argued in the Law Division of Superior Court shall be heard on the following days: Thursday July 3, 2025 Friday July 18, 2025 Friday August 1, 2025 Friday August 15, 2025 Friday August 29, 2025 Friday September 12, 2025 Friday September 26, 2025 Friday October 10, 2025 Friday October 24, 2025 Friday November 7, 2025 Friday November 21, 2025 Friday December 5, 2025 Friday December 19, 2025 Friday January 9, 2026 Friday January 16, 2026 Friday January 30, 2026 Friday February 13, 2026 Friday February 27, 2026 Friday March 13, 2026 Friday March 27, 2026 Friday April 10, 2026 Friday April 24, 2026 Friday May 8, 2026 Friday May 22, 2026 Friday June 5, 2026 Thursday June 18, 2026 Dated: July 1, 2024
- Judgment Lien Public Access, Instructions, First-time users must register with the New Jersey Courts to search judgment liens. If you already have a user ID and password to access eCourts, Evidence Submission, Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) or Municipal Case Resolution, you must use those credentials. Attorneys must use their assigned attorney bar ID credentials to access the eCourts Civil Case Jacket. Judgment Lien Public Access -Returning Users RETURNING USERS Judgment Lien Public Access-First-Time User Registration FIRST-TIME USER REGISTRATION, Disclaimer, Certain records may not be available for public inspection in accordance with Federal and State statutes and the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey or court order. Common examples of confidential records include those involving child victims of sexual abuse, cases involving trade secrets and records in any case ordered impounded by a judge. Confidential records and information will not be returned in your search results. The information displayed on this website is generated from computerized records in the custody and control of the New Jersey Judiciary and is intended for informational purposes only. The Judiciary provides this information as a public service and makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, regarding its accuracy, reliability, currency, completeness, or suitability for any particular purpose. Additionally, the Judiciary assumes no liability for the improper or illegal use of information obtained from its computerized systems. Attempts to interfere with the operation of the Judiciary's computerized systems or to alter records in the Judiciary's computerized systems is strictly prohibited and may result in criminal prosecution, civil penalties, or disciplinary action where appropriate. In addition, the Judiciary will seek indemnification, including costs and attorneys fees, for any claims brought in connection with the improper or illegal use of information obtained from its computerized systems.
- Civil Motion Calendar, Instructions, First-time users must register with the New Jersey Courts to search civil mediators, civil motion calendars, and discovery end dates. After logging in, please proceed to the “Find a Case – Public Access” tile and select “Civil Search." If you already have a user ID and password to access eCourts, Evidence Submission, Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) or Municipal Case Resolution, you must use those credentials. Attorneys must use their assigned attorney bar ID credentials to access the eCourts Civil Case Jacket. Returning Users RETURNING USERS First-Time User Registration FIRST-TIME USER REGISTRATION, Disclaimer, Certain records may not be available for public inspection in accordance with Federal and State statutes and the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey or court order. Common examples of confidential records include those involving child victims of sexual abuse, cases involving trade secrets and records in any case ordered impounded by a judge. Confidential records and information will not be returned in your search results. The information displayed on this website is generated from computerized records in the custody and control of the New Jersey Judiciary and is intended for informational purposes only. The Judiciary provides this information as a public service and makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, regarding its accuracy, reliability, currency, completeness, or suitability for any particular purpose. Additionally, the Judiciary assumes no liability for the improper or illegal use of information obtained from its computerized systems. Attempts to interfere with the operation of the Judiciary's computerized systems or to alter records in the Judiciary's computerized systems is strictly prohibited and may result in criminal prosecution, civil penalties, or disciplinary action where appropriate. In addition, the Judiciary will seek indemnification, including costs and attorneys fees, for any claims brought in connection with the improper or illegal use of information obtained from its computerized systems.
- Civil Mediation, Parties in civil cases can use mediation to reach a solution to their dispute instead of having the court decide the case. , On This Page, Body, Litigant Resources, What is Civil Mediation? , A mediator helps the plaintiff and defendant reach an agreement on some or all of their issues. Mediators do not issue a decision on a case. Their job is to help both parties find common ground for a settlement. Statewide Mediation (Non-Foreclosure) Program - brochure Read the brochure and Statewide Civil Mediation Program - Frequently Asked Questions visit our FAQ to discover more about mediation. The Civil Mediation Program Resource Manual Civil Mediation Program Resource Manual contains detailed information about the program. During mediation, the parties get to: Express their feelings and diffuse anger. Clear up misunderstandings. Discover underlying interests or concerns. Find what they agree on. Use common ground to reach a solution. Use the Civil Mediators Search Civil Mediators Search to find a mediator for your case. , Surveys , Mediation surveys help improve the program. Please complete the survey after your mediation. Survey Online Form Title Attorney Survey Monkey Statewide Attorney Questionnaire (Sample Form) 10524 Litigant Survey Monkey Statewide Litigant Questionnaire (Sample Form) 10525 Mediator Survey Monkey Statewide Mediation Case Information Form (Sample Form) 10526 , Mediator Resources, CLE Opportunity for Mediators:, New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators (NJAPM) is hosting a 40-Hour Civil Mediation Training in February 2026. The fee for the 40-hour mediation training is $1,525. Registration is required. Learn more about the course Learn more about the course and register in advance register in advance . For more information about the 40-Hour Mediation Training requirement please, see 1:40-12(b) Court Rule 1:40-12(b)(5) . Mediators can satisfy their 2025 CLE requirement with one of two remote trainings on Nov. 6 and Dec. 11. The courses will be conducted by Eric Max of Max Mediation. The fee for the 4-hour Zoom session is $250. Registration is required. Learn more about the course https://maxmediation.com/cle here . For more information about mandatory CLE for mediators, see Court Rule 1:40-12(b)(2). All mediators should use the Mediator’s Tool Box Mediator’s Tool Box . Mediators need to know the 1:40-Complementary Dispute Resolution Programs CDR (Rule 1:40) and rules on compensation. Before mediation, you and the parties need to sign a disclosure. After the mediation session, you need to submit a completion form. CN Title 11183 Disclosure Concerning Continuation of Mediation and Mediation Preparation Time Disclosure Concerning Continuation of Mediation and Mediation Preparation Time 10827 Completion of Mediation Form Completion of Mediation Form, How to Become a Mediator , Potential mediators need to apply. Use the application form: CN TITLE 10523 Application for Admission to the Roster of Mediators Application for Admission to the Roster of Mediators If approved, you will be added to the Roster of Mediators. All mediators should know the Standards of Conduct. , STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR MEDIATORS IN COURT-CONNECTED PROGRAMS , [, As Adopted by the Supreme Court January 4, 2000, ] Preamble, Scope and Purpose These standards of conduct are intended to instill and promote public confidence in the mediation process and to be a guide to mediators in discharging their professional responsibilities. Public understanding and confidence are vital to a strong mediation program. Persons serving as mediators are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that will merit the confidence of parties, members of the bar, and judges. These standards apply to all mediators when acting in state court-connected programs. Definition of Mediation Mediation is a process in which an impartial third party neutral (mediator) facilitates communication between disputing parties for the purpose of assisting them in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. Mediators promote understanding, focus the parties on their interests, and assist the parties in developing options to make informed decisions that will promote settlement of the dispute. Mediators do not have authority to make decisions for the parties, or to impose a settlement. Principle Of Self-Determination A mediator shall proceed with the understanding that mediation is based on the fundamental principle of self-determination by the parties. Self-determination requires that the mediation process rely upon the ability of the parties to reach a voluntary agreement without coercion. A mediator shall inform the parties that mediation is consensual in nature, that the mediator is an impartial facilitator, that any party may withdraw from mediation at any time as specified in Complementary Dispute Resolution Programs R.1:40-4(a) through (h) , and that the mediator may not impose or force any settlement on the parties. The primary role of a mediator is to facilitate a voluntary resolution of the dispute, allowing the parties the opportunity to consider all options for settlement. Because a mediator cannot personally ensure that each party has made a fully informed choice to reach a particular agreement, a mediator should make the parties aware of the importance of consulting other professionals, where appropriate, to help them make informed decisions. Impartiality A mediator shall always conduct mediation sessions in an impartial manner. The concept of mediator impartiality is central to the mediation process. A mediator shall only mediate a dispute in which there is reason to believe that impartiality can be maintained. When a mediator is unable to conduct the mediation in an impartial manner, the mediator must withdraw from the process. When disputing parties have confidence in the impartiality of the mediator, the quality of the mediation process is enhanced. A mediator shall therefore avoid any conduct that gives the appearance of either favoring or disfavoring any party. A mediator shall guard against prejudice or lack of impartiality because of any party's personal characteristics, background, or behavior during the mediation. A mediator shall advise all parties of any circumstances bearing on possible bias, prejudice, or lack of impartiality. Conflicts Of Interest A mediator must disclose all actual and potential conflicts of interest reasonably known to the mediator. After disclosure, the mediator may proceed with the mediation only if all parties consent to mediate. Nonetheless, if the mediator believes that the conflict of interest casts doubt on the integrity of the mediation process, the mediator shall decline to proceed. A mediator shall always avoid conflicts of interest when recommending the services of other professionals. If requested, a mediator may provide parties with information on professional referral services or associations that maintain rosters of qualified professionals. Related Matters: A mediator who has served as a third party neutral, or any professional member of that mediator's firm/office, shall not subsequently represent or provide professional services for any party to the mediation proceeding in the same matter or in any related matter. Unrelated Matters: A mediator who has served as a third party neutral, or any professional member of that mediator's firm/office, shall not subsequently represent or provide professional services for any party to the mediation proceeding in any unrelated matter for a period of six months, unless all parties consent after full disclosure. Competence A mediator shall only mediate when the mediator possesses the necessary and required qualifications to satisfy the reasonable expectations of the parties. A mediator appointed by the court shall have training and education in the mediation process, and shall have familiarity with the general principles of the subject matter involved in the case being mediated. A mediator shall have information available for the parties regarding the mediator's relevant training, education, and experience. A mediator has an obligation to continuously strive to improve upon his or her professional skills, abilities, and knowledge of the mediation process. Confidentiality To protect the integrity of the mediation, a mediator shall not disclose any information obtained during the mediation unless the parties expressly consent to such disclosure, or unless disclosure is required by applicable rules or law. A mediator shall not otherwise communicate any information to the court about the mediation, except: (1) whether the case has been resolved in whole or in part; or (2) whether the parties or attorneys appeared at a scheduled mediation. Consistent with Mediation – General Rules Rule 1:40-4 , a mediator shall: Preserve and maintain the confidentiality of all mediation proceedings and advise the parties of the Rule's provisions; Prior to the commencement of mediation, reach agreement with the parties concerning the limits and bounds of confidentiality and non-disclosure; Conduct the mediation so as to provide the parties with the greatest protection of confidentiality afforded by court rule and mutually agreed to by the parties; Maintain confidentiality in the storage and disposal of all records and remove all identifying information when such information is used for research, training, or statistical compilations, except minimum identifiers necessary to link research documents; and Not use confidential information obtained in a mediation outside the mediation process. Quality Of The Process : A mediator shall conduct the mediation fairly, diligently, and in a manner consistent with the principle of self-determination by the parties. To further these goals, a mediator shall: Work to ensure a quality process and to encourage mutual respect among the parties, including a commitment by the mediator to diligence and to procedural fairness; Assess the case and determine that it is appropriate and suitable for continuing the mediation; Provide adequate opportunity for each party in the mediation to participate fully in the discussions, and allow the parties to decide when and under what conditions they will reach an agreement or terminate the mediation; Not unnecessarily or inappropriately prolong a mediation session if it becomes apparent to the mediator that the case is unsuitable for mediation, or if one or more parties is unwilling or unable to participate in the mediation process in a meaningful manner; Only accept cases when the mediator can satisfy the reasonable expectations of the parties concerning the timetable for the process, and not allow a mediation to be unduly delayed by the parties or their representatives; and Where appropriate, recommend that parties seek outside professional advice or consider resolving their dispute through arbitration, counseling, neutral evaluation, or other processes. Fees For Service: A mediator shall fully disclose and explain any applicable fees and charges to the parties. Payment for mediation services shall be in accordance with Mediation – General Rules Rule 1:40-4 of the Rules of Court. Fees charged by the mediator shall be reasonable, taking into account, among other things, the subject area and the complexity of the matter, the expertise of the mediator, the time required, and the rates customary in the community. A mediator shall provide parties with sufficient information about fees in writing at the outset of a mediation. A mediator shall not enter into a fee agreement in which the amount of the fee is contingent upon the result of the mediation or the financial amount of the settlement. Source : Standards adopted by Supreme Court January 4, 2000. Contact your Arbitration and CDR Point Persons point person from the Committee for more information New mediators also need to complete the Mentoring program mentoring program. Mediator Mentors have specific guidelines to follow: Following the successful completion of a qualified mediation course of at least forty (40) hours, each applicant for admission to the Roster of Mediators for Civil, General Equity and Probate Cases should attend and observe at least two (2) Superior Court Law Division– Civil Part or Chancery Division–General Equity or Probate Part Mediation – General Rules R. 1:40-4 and Mediation of Civil, Probate, and General Equity Matters -6 mediations of at least five (5) hours total duration. In the event that the two (2) mediation sessions were less than five (5) hours in duration, the applicant, in order to fulfill this requirement, would be required to attend additional sessions until the time requirement is met. The mediator mentor shall be an approved mediator on the Roster of Mediators for Civil, General Equity and Probate Cases who shall certify that they have completed at least fifteen (15) mediations under Mediation – General Rules R. 1:40-4 and Mediation of Civil, Probate, and General Equity Matters -6 or comparable mediation program. The approved mediator mentors list shall be published on the Judiciary’s website. The mediator mentor, in addition to permitting the applicant to fully observe all aspects of the process, shall meet with the applicant to describe the process and approach in advance of the session and to brief the applicant after the session, intending that this process be part of the education. The mediator mentor shall make available the submissions of the parties and include the applicant on the telephonic conference call. The mediator mentor shall, no later than the telephonic conference call, obtain the parties’ consent to the applicant’s attendance during the mediation process. The applicant shall be firmly bound by the standards of mediator conduct, including without limitation, the confidentiality of the process, the conflict-of-interest provisions, as well the reasonable expectation of the parties. There shall be no charge to the applicant, nor a fee collected by the applicant, for the sessions. Following completion of the required mentoring sessions, the applicant shall certify his/her compliance to the Civil Practice Division of the Administrative Office of the Courts by providing the name(s) of mentor(s), dates of each session, number of hours of each session, and the case names/docket numbers You can change or update your roster status if anything changes: CN Title 10826 Civil Mediator Roster Change / Update Form Civil Mediator Roster Change / Update Form Mediator Mentors For Civil Roster Applicants Mediator Mentors Civil Roster, Frequently Asked Questions, What is mediation? Mediation is a dispute resolution process in which an impartial third party - the mediator - facilitates negotiations between the parties to help them reach a mutually acceptable settlement. The major distinction of mediation is that a mediator does not make a decision about the outcome of the case. The parties, with the assistance of their attorneys, work toward a solution with which they are comfortable. What are the roles of counsel and litigants in mediation? The goal of mediation is to reach an amicable resolution. Attorneys and parties are required to make a good faith effort to cooperate with the mediator and engage in constructive dialogue toward this end. Attorneys should prepare their clients prior to mediation by explaining what will happen, and particularly what the roles of both attorneys and clients are. They should also agree on who will be the principal spokesperson in presenting the party's view early in the mediation session. Throughout the process, attorneys act as advocates for their clients' interests. For example, attorneys may make brief opening summaries of the issues as they see them, but clients should also be given an opportunity to speak. In mediation, understanding is often promoted when the parties explain their positions directly to each other. When it comes to discussing terms of settlement, the litigants must play an active part, for it is their case and their settlement. During this process, attorneys should provide counsel on the advisability of settlement options, suggest options and be available for any further consultation with their clients. What if the case is not resolved in mediation? Sometimes the parties are unable to reach agreement or only agree on certain aspects of the dispute. If certain aspects of the dispute remain unresolved, the parties can submit that portion to an expert for an opinion (binding or non-binding) or use some other creative means. The case also can be returned to court and continue on track towards trial. Even in these cases, the mediation process may have helped the parties clarify their positions and also move toward settlement. How is a mediator selected for a case? A roster of mediators is maintained by the court system and is posted on the Judiciary’s website at Civil Mediation njcourts.gov in a searchable format. When a case is referred to mediation, the parties have 14 days to select a mediator whom they feel is suitable, whether on the roster or not. If the parties do not select a mediator in a timely manner, the court-appointed mediator named in the Order of Referral will serve as the mediator. Court-appointed mediators have been approved for inclusion on a roster after careful screening to ensure that they meet educational, training and mentoring requirements set forth in Mediators and Arbitrators in Court Annexed Program Court Rule 1:40-12 . How does a case get into mediation? Appropriate cases for referral to mediation can be identified by judges, court staff, or the parties themselves, at any point in the life of a case. A form of order for referral is prepared and signed by the judge. Parties desiring their case to be referred to mediation should contact the Civil Division Manager in the county in which the case is pending. How much does mediation cost? Under Mediation – General Rules Court Rule 1:40-4(b) , any mediator who is on the roster will provide the first two hours on a case, including an initial one hour session, without charge before a party may opt out of mediation. Thereafter, mediators will generally be paid their market rate fee which is to be shared by the parties. Fees will be waived in any case covered by Proceedings by Indigents Court Rule 1:13-2(a) . Any mediator selected by the parties who is not on the roster may negotiate a fee with the parties from the outset and need not provide the free time. What are some of the advantages of mediation? Some advantages of mediation include: confidentiality; the result may benefit both or all sides and thus present a win/win solution; the outcome can be tailored to meet the unique needs of the case and the particular parties; specially trained mediators assist the parties in fashioning more creative solutions not customarily occurring with other CDR techniques; and mediation can be a more cost-efficient, less formal and more meaningful alternative to the traditional trial process. What happens in mediation? There are certain ground rules the mediator will ask participants to follow. The first, and most important, is that with a few exceptions covered in Mediation – General Rules Court Rules 1:40-4(c) and (d) , what goes on in mediation is confidential. That is, what is said in mediation cannot be discussed outside of the mediation process unless the parties consent. Prior to mediation, the mediator will usually ask the attorneys to prepare a brief summary of the issues in dispute. Then, at the mediation session, the mediator will ask attorneys and their clients to make brief presentations about the issues from their own perspectives. After that, the mediator will help the parties to explore areas of possible compromise and to develop a solution that meets everyone’s interests. Sometimes, the mediator may meet with the parties separately for a private discussion that might help move the parties toward a resolution. If an agreement is reached, a document will be prepared detailing the terms of the agreement. Thereafter, the mediator will notify the court that the case can be dismissed. If the case is not resolved, the mediator will advise the court, and the case will remain on the docket. What kinds of cases could benefit from mediation? Mediation has been used successfully in a broad range of cases which exhibit characteristics such as: the parties have an ongoing business or personal relationship or have had a significant past relationship; communication problems exist between the parties; the principal barriers to settlement are personal or emotional; parties want to tailor a solution to meet specific needs or interests; cases involve complex technical or scientific data requiring particular expertise; the parties have an incentive to settle because of time, cost of litigation, or drain on productivity; the parties wish to retain control over the outcome of the case; or the parties seek a more private forum for the resolution of their dispute. While there is not any case type that could not potentially benefit, commercial, construction, environmental, Law Against Discrimination (LAD) cases, and certain General Equity and Probate cases are particularly suited to mediation because they tend to exhibit some of the characteristics described above. What about pretrial discovery? Generally, pretrial discovery is not stayed while a case is in mediation. The case will be placed on the trial calendar at the end of the discovery period. If, however, the court determines that a stay of discovery is necessary, the court shall only provide for a stay of discovery by court order. Even if formal discovery is stayed, the mediator is authorized to facilitate the informal exchange of information materials needed to enhance the effectiveness of the mediation process. At what time in the court process should a case be referred to mediation? The earlier that a case can be referred to mediation, the greater the likelihood that parties can resolve their dispute at a cost savings to themselves and the court. Parties should feel they have enough information to discuss the dispute, which may mean that some information exchange should be completed. Mediators also can help the parties determine how much informal discovery is needed. Even if discovery has been completed, settlement negotiations have been unsuccessful, or the parties are close to a trial date, the mediation process may still help the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
- How to File, If your motion involves child support, check ( Court Rule 5:6A Child Support Guidelines N.J. Court Rule 5 :6A) . to see the guidelines that are used to determine child support amounts., 12 Steps for Filing a Motion:, Fill out the Notice of Motion (Form A) This form tells the court and other party what you wish to change. It also lists the date the motion will be heard. Get a court date for your motion – Court Calendars, Schedules, and Agendas Court Calendar Use the link to go to the court calendar. Under “Miscellaneous,” select “Motion Day Schedule.” Pick a Friday that allows enough time to meet all requirements. Fill in that date on your Notice of Motion Form. Complete the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet eForm or download the document and complete it on your device. Fill out the Certification in Support of Motion (Form B) Type or print the reasons the court should agree to your request. Reasons must be based on facts. Include a copy of all pervious orders. Include any supporting documents, such as pay stubs or tax returns. Sign and date the form. Fill out the Proposed Order (Form C) Include everything you are asking the court. The original and two copies of your Proposed Order must be included. Do not use this form to establish a new child support claim. Do not use this form to increase or decrease your child support obligation. Fill out the Certification of Filing and Service (Form D) Tells the court the day you mailed or delivered your motion. Lists the method of delivery. Fill out the Notice to Litigants (From E) Use this form to inform the other party of your request., Failing to include the Notice to Litigants could get your case dismissed., Fill out the Statement for the Probation Division (Form F), Only use this form if child support is through the Probation Division., Fill out the Family Part Case Information Statement Case Information Statement (CIS) Use this form if you previously filed a CIS in the case. You must include a copy of the most recent CIS if you’re seeking monetary relief. Fill out the Letter to the Clerk (Form G) Complete the Letter to the Clerk of the Superior Court. This letter must be the first page of the documents you send to court. You must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Check your completed forms and make copies Check your forms. Make sure they are complete. Remove all instruction sheets. Make sure you signed where required. Make 3 copies of the entire packet. Make 2 extra copies of the proposed order. Keep one packet of copies for your records. Submit your forms Forms can be submitted electronically, by mail, or by delivery. You can upload your forms on Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) . To mail your forms or deliver them in person, find your Directory of Superior Court Family Division Offices county courthouse. You can properly serve the packet the other party or their attorney by: Certified or regular mail through the USPS Process server or Courier Service An adult neutral third party Delivery by you You must be able to prove in court you delivered the packet to the other party The How to Ask the Court to Change or Enforce an Order in Your Case (Family Multipurpose Post-Judgment Motions) Family Multi-Purpose Post Judgment Motion Packet has more detailed instructions for filling out the required forms.
- Filing a Non-Dissolution Case, Follow these steps to file your case in family court. If you want to change an existing court order, see How to file a request to modify a Non-Dissolution "FD" Court Order previously issued by the court How to File a Post-Judgment Family Motion . , 8 Steps for Filing a Non-Dissolution case in Superior Court, Fill out the following form. You are the "Plaintiff." Non-dissolution "FD" Case - How to file a non-divorce application for custody, child/spousal support or parenting time (visitation) Verified Complaint or Counterclaim Include the current address of the other party. This is very important. The other party will receive a Notice to Appear in court and a copy of your court papers. If the other party cannot be reached, your case might be dismissed or delayed. What to do if you cannot find the other party If you are asking for child support, your county welfare office can help you locate the other parent. They receive federal funding to perform this service for child support recipients. If you are not asking for child support, you can complete the Certification of Diligent Search Kit Diligent Search Kit to show that you tried to find the other party. Your case cannot proceed until the other party is found. Complete the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet eForm or download the document and complete it on your device. Complete other forms as needed. For child support, establishment of paternity, spousal support, and/or health insurance coverage, fill out these forms: Certification in Support of Establishing Paternity Certification in Support of Establishing Paternity Financial Statement for Summary Support Actions Summary Form for Financial Information Family Part Case Information Statement (CIS) Family Case Information Statement Also complete the NJ Child Support Application Form child support application form at njchildsupport.gov For custody, parenting time or visitation, also complete the Certification of Non-Military Service Certification of Non-Military Service Double check the forms. Do not leave any blank spaces. Write N/A if something does not apply to you. Make sure you sign them where it is required. Make a copy of the forms and keep them in a safe place. There are 3 ways to deliver the forms. Option 1: You can upload your forms on Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) . If you are asking for child support, include the child support application form. You can pay the $6 fee with a credit card. Option 2: You can deliver your forms to the Directory of Superior Court Family Division Offices county courthouse. If you are asking for child support, bring the child support application form and a $6 check or a money order payable to Treasurer, State of NJ. Option 3: You can mail your forms to the Directory of Superior Court Family Division Offices county courthouse . If you are asking for child support, include the child support application and a $6 check or money order payable to Treasurer, State of NJ.
- Change a Court Order, Follow these steps to change a parenting time, custody, or visitation order. , Change a Non-Dissolution Court Order, Fill out the How to file a request to modify a Non-Dissolution "FD" Court Order previously issued by the court Application for Modification of Court Order or Cross-Application for Modification of a Court Order. Include the current address of the other party. This is very important. The other party will receive a Notice to Appear in court and a copy of your court papers. If the other party cannot be reached, your case might be dismissed or delayed. What to do if you cannot find the other party: If you are asking for child support, your county welfare office can help you locate the other parent. They receive federal funding to perform this service for child support recipients. If you are not asking for child support, you can complete the Certification of Diligent Search Kit Diligent Search Kit to show that you tried to find the other party. Your case cannot proceed until the other party is found. Complete the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet eForm or download the document and complete it on your device. If you are asking for child support or a change to your child support order, fill out the Financial Statement for Summary Support Actions Summary Form for Financial Information . If you are married and are asking for spousal support or a change to your child support order, fill out the Family Part Case Information Statement Family Case Information Statement. Double check the forms. Do not leave any blank spaces. Write N/A if something does not apply to you. Make sure you sign them where it is required. Make a copy of the forms and keep them in a safe place. There are 3 ways to deliver the forms. Option 1: You can upload your forms on Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) here. You can pay the $25 filing fee with a credit card. Fee Waivers Do you qualify for a fee waiver ? Option 2: You can deliver your forms to the Directory of Superior Court Family Division Offices county courthouse . Bring a $25 check or money order payable to Treasurer, State of NJ Option 3: You can mail your forms to the Directory of Superior Court Family Division Offices county courthouse . Include a $25 check or money order payable to Treasurer, State of NJ.
- Responding to a Complaint, Learn about your options when you receive a non-dissolution complaint. , Responding to a Non-Dissolution Complaint Filed Against You, If you received a complaint, you have a choice: You have the right to file a response. You can also file a counterclaim asking the court to make other changes besides those that were requested. You are not required to respond. The court case will proceed anyway. To file a response to a non-dissolution complaint, follow the steps listed under "File a Case."" You are the "Defendant." Non-dissolution "FD" Case - How to file a non-divorce application for custody, child/spousal support or parenting time (visitation) Verified Complaint or Counterclaim Complete the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet eForm or download the document and complete it on your device. If you are asking for child support, establishment of paternity, spousal support, or health insurance coverage, complete these forms too: Certification in Support of Establishing Paternity Certification in Support of Establishing Paternity Financial Statement for Summary Support Actions Summary Form for Financial Information Family Part Case Information Statement (CIS) Family Case Information Statement Also complete the Njchildsupport.gov Child Support Application form. For custody, parenting time or visitation, also complete the Certification of Non-Military Service Certification of Non-Military Service
- General Jury Information, On This Page, Body, ADA Accommodation Requests and Information, If an ADA accommodation or ASL interpreter is needed for your summons date and you would like additional information on the types of accommodations offered or how to request an accommodation, click ADA Title II Get Help Request an ADA Accommodation for assistance., Courthouse Closings/Inclement Weather, For court closings and inclement weather, all jurors should check the Court Closing Info State Court Closing Information page before reporting to the courthouse. , Employed by State/Government Agencies, If you are employed full time by a State of New Jersey agency, you will not get paid for your jury service as outlined with N.J.S.A. 2B:20-16. Your state agency employer will continue to pay your regular wages during your service. If you are unsure if you work for a state or government agency, contact your Jury Office Contact Info local jury management office . Participants who are employed by a state agency should provide this information when completing the paper or New Jersey Jury Service Qualification Questionnaire online questionnaire as well as notifying the jury management office when reporting for service. If a check is issued to you in error, you will be required to return it to the Jury Management Office directly., Employers Are Not Required to Pay Staff During Jury Service, In New Jersey there is no statutory requirement that a private employer pay your salary during juror service. It is in your best interest to speak with your employer before your summons date to determine whether your employer offers juror pay and for the number of days provided for jury service. , Employers Cannot Penalize You for Jury Service, N.J.S.A. 2B:20.17 prohibits an employer from penalizing you because you serve as a juror. Penalties for a violation of this statute include the possibility of a criminal charge, as a disorderly person’s offense, and a possible civil action for monetary damages and for reinstatement of employment. , Juror Qualification, N.J.S.A., 2B:20-1 establishes six criteria for a person to qualify for jury service, : be a resident of New Jersey; be a citizen of the United States; be physically and mentally able to perform the functions of a juror (noting that the Judiciary will provide accommodations consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act); have no conviction for an indictable offense On January 11, 2026, the Office of the Governor issued an Executive Order No. 411 to restore the right to serve on a jury for certain individuals who were disqualified solely because of a conviction for a New Jersey indictable offense. Individuals with indictable (felony) convictions may be eligible to serve if all of the following criteria apply: The conviction occurred on or before January 10, 2026; The person has completed all non-monetary parts of their sentence (such as incarceration, probation, or parole); The conviction was under the jurisdiction of New Jersey Superior Court; and The conviction was not for impeachment or treason. Examples of persons who would be disqualified are anyone who was convicted of, or pled guilty to, a crime in Federal Court or another state court; or anyone currently on PTI (Pre-trial Intervention Program.) Examples of persons who would qualify to serve jury duty are anyone whose only convictions are in Municipal Court (most traffic violations fall into this category, as do most shoplifting charges;) or anyone who has been accused of a crime but has not yet been convicted or has yet to enter a guilty plea, or anyone who meets the criteria set forth in the Executive Order No. 411 as outlined above. Also, traffic offenses, juvenile and DWI related offenses that occurred in New Jersey are not grounds for disqualification. You are not disqualified with respect to criminal record if you successfully completed a Pre-Trial Intervention program (PTI) for an offense and have not been convicted or pled guilty to another disqualifying offense. be at least 18 years of age; and be able to read and understand the English language., Juror Scams, The Judiciary will, never, ask for, personal information, or, payments, over the phone or by email. Contact your Jury Management Office Contact List local jury management office if you have any concerns. The Judiciary will, never, request personal identifiers (such as social security numbers) or payment (credit card, checking, savings account information, etc.) for a fine for not going to jury duty over the phone or by e-mail. If you receive suspicious communication concerning jury duty, hang up and call or e-mail your Jury Management Office Contact List local jury management office . If you believe you have been the victim of a jury duty scam, contact your local jury management office and law enforcement in your county., Phone Use in the Courtroom, Cellphone use in the courtroom is not permitted. You, must not, take any photographs or digital images, including ZOOM displays, or make any audio or video recordings of any kind. This includes broadcasting or posting any proceedings during your time in the courthouse. If you are found to have violated this directive by creating a photograph, digital image, audio, video, or other recording, you may be subject to punishment under New Jersey law. Phones must be concealed at all times. Exposed phones will be confiscated. , Types of Jury Service & Payments, Petit Jury Service, Questionnaires are required to be completed, four days, before the date of service. Petit jury is for civil and criminal trials. Petit jurors listen to evidence presented by both parties during a trial and return a verdict. The role of a juror is to listen to all the evidence presented and render a verdict at the end of the trial. 12 jurors are typically selected for a civil or criminal trial. Jurors are paid, $5, for the first three days of attendance and, $40, for each day after. Juror Service Video Watch a video about jury service., Grand Jury Service, Questionnaires are required to be completed, four days, before the date of service. Grand jury examines allegations against a person or persons charged with a crime. Grand jury does not determine guilt or innocence, but whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime was committed. The role of a grand juror is to determine whether there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime. 23 jurors are selected to be on a panel. Depending upon the county, the term of service for a panel can be from eight weeks to 20 weeks long. Jurors are paid , $5 , for each day they attend., State Grand Jury Service, Questionnaires are required to be completed, 35 days, before the date of service. State Grand Jury is a statewide program with jurors summoned from every county in New Jersey. If you are one of the 23 jurors selected, you will serve one day per week for, 16 to 20 weeks., State Grand Jury is managed by the Mercer County Jury Management Office. Jury selection will be held virtually, and a Zoom link will be emailed to you the day before your summons date. If you are selected as a juror, you will be required to appear at:, Richard Hughes Justice Complex, Administrative Office of the Courts 25 Market Street 4th Floor Trenton, NJ 08625 Jurors are paid, $5, for each day they attend., Items Not Permitted in the Courthouse, To ensure everyone’s safety, all persons visiting the courthouse, including jurors, litigants, attorneys, employees, vendors, and other visitors, are subject to security screening when entering. Please allow sufficient time to pass through the court’s security system, as you will be required to walk through metal detection equipment. Illegal items will be confiscated and may subject you to prosecution., Prohibited Items, : Weapons of any kind Firearms Knives of any size Sharp objects, scissors, or cutting tools of any type Pepper spray Aerosol sprays or containers E-cigarettes or similar items Audio/visual equipment, including cameras, unless you have prior written permission from the court.
- Guardianship Self-Help, On This Page, Body, Adult Guardianship in New Jersey, Court-appointed guardians oversee adults who are not able to make decisions or care for themselves. They need to have legal authority to make decisions for the person under guardianship (also called “incapacitated person”). Only the courts can grant that power. Adult guardianship cases are filed with the county Surrogate’s Office and heard in Superior Court. Reasons why someone may need a guardian include: Mental illness Intellectual disability. Physical illness or disability. Chronic drug use. Chronic alcoholism. There are three types of guardianship:, Guardianship of the person and estate., The guardian takes care of the well-being and finances of the person under guardianship., Guardianship of the person only., The guardian only takes care of the well-being of the person under guardianship., Guardianship of the estate only., The guardian only manages the financial affairs of the person under guardianship. The court decides if the person needs general or limited guardianship., General Guardianship, . The guardian can exercise all rights and powers on behalf of the person under guardianship., Limited Guardianship, . The guardian’s role is less intrusive and more individualized, so that the person under guardianship can make some decisions for themselves. Guardians have important responsibilities. They must follow all court rules and file periodic reports. Learn more with the Guardianship of the Person Guardianship of the Person , Guardianship of the Estate Guardianship of the Estate , and Guardianship Reporting Forms brochures. You can also watch a Tutorial on court-appointed guardianship tutorial on court-appointed guardianship . Volunteers in the Guardianship Monitoring Program (GMP) Guardianship Monitoring Program (GMP ) help the court by reviewing reports and documents contained in guardianship files. The GMP is part of the court’s role in ensuring the affairs of incapacitated adults are being handled properly and in their best interest. Watch the https://vimeo.com/1108086895/b85e4f6cd9 GMP volunteer video ., Do I need a lawyer?, The court system can be confusing, and it is a good idea to get a lawyer if you can. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can contact the legal services program in your county to see if you qualify for free legal services. Legal Services of New Jersey maintains a directory of Legal Services of New Jersey regional legal services offices or may be reached at Regional Legal Services Office Telephone Number 732-572-9100 . The NJ State Bar Association also maintains a list of County Bar Associations county referral services that might be helpful., Things to think about before you represent yourself in court, While you have the right to represent yourself in court, you should not expect any special treatment, help, or attention from the court. You must still comply with the Rules of the Court, even if you are not familiar with them. The following is a list of some things the court staff can and cannot do for you. Please read it carefully before asking the court staff for help. We can explain and answer questions about how the court works. We can tell you what the requirements are to have your case considered by the court. We can give you some information from your case file. We can provide you with samples of court forms that are available. We can provide you with guidance on how to fill out forms. We can usually answer questions about court deadlines. We cannot give you legal advice. Only your lawyer can give you legal advice. We cannot tell you whether or not you should bring your case to court. We cannot give you an opinion about what will happen if you bring your case to court. We cannot recommend a lawyer, but we can provide you with the telephone number of a local lawyer referral service. We cannot talk to the judge for you about what will happen in your case. We cannot let you talk to the judge outside of court. We cannot change an order issued by a judge., How to Become a Guardian, A person applying to the court for guardianship needs to prove the person is incapacitated. They are an alleged incapacitated person (AIP) until the court reaches a decision in the case. File your case with New Jersey Surrogates county surrogate in the county where the AIP Lives. Do you need a guardianship of the estate? Does the AIP have: Income from earnings or pension, Real property, or Stocks, bonds, etc. In many cases, guardianship of the estate is, not required if, : The AIP has no assets or real property. The AIP is only collecting Social Security Benefits. Some AIPs are eligible for Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) benefits. There are If the AIP is Eligible for DDD Benefits special filing instructions for these cases. For standard guardianship cases, you will need:, Certification of Physician or Psychologist , (2). A doctor must certify as to the AIP’s condition. A second doctor or psychologist also needs to certify as to their condition. They must conduct personal examinations of the AIP within 30 days of filing the application for guardianship. You will complete the top section of the form. The health professional(s) will complete the rest of the form., Adult Guardianship Case Information Statement (CIS)., This form outlines the details of the case. Instructions are provided with the form., Verified Complaint Form., This document describes why the AIP cannot make decisions or care for themselves and asks the court to find them incapacitated and appoint a guardian for them., Certification of Assets., This form lists all property and income of the AIP. It is required even if you are not seeking guardianship of the estate., Certification of Criminal and Civil Judgment History, . This form describes the proposed guardian’s criminal and civil judgment history, if any. Having a criminal or civil judgment history does not automatically prevent someone from serving as guardian. The court can use this information and other factors to help decide who should serve as guardian., Order Fixing Guardianship Hearing Date., The court needs to set a court date and assign an attorney for the AIP. You will complete the top section identifying yourself as plaintiff. Leave the docket number blank. The court will assign a docket number. The judge will set the date, assign counsel for the AIP, and return the completed form to you., Judgement of Incapacity and Appointment of Guardian(s) of the Person and Estate OR Judgment of Incapacity and Appointment of Guardian(s) of the Person, . Choose the appropriate form if you are seeking to be guardian of the estate or not. You will complete the top section. The judge will complete the rest of the judgment if approved. The attorney representing the AIP typically works pro bono. If the attorney is to be paid, you can use the AIP’s assets to pay the fees. If their assets are insufficient, you will have to pay the fees., If the AIP is Eligible for DDD Benefits, Choose which packet applies: How to Apply for Guardianship of the Person and Estate (Property) of an Individual Eligible for Services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) How to Apply for the Guardianship of the Person and Estate. Adult Guardianship - How to Apply for Guardianship of the Person of an Individual Eligible for Services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) How to Apply for the Guardianship of a Person Only. Complete the forms in the appropriate packet. Detailed instructions are provided. A doctor or psychologist must examine the AIP. They need to sign an affidavit certifying as to the AIP’s condition. They need to personally examine the AIP within six months of filing. A second document is needed to support the case. It can be: An affidavit from the DDD program administrator. An affidavit from a designee of the DDD. An affidavit of a second doctor or psychologist. A copy of the person’s Individualized Education Program. It must include any medical or other reports. It cannot be older than two years prior to filing. An affidavit from a licensed care professional., File Your Case, Attach the required certifications to the forms. Make at least 2 copies of all forms. Keep a set of copies for your records. Include the originals and one copy of each when you file. Include a fee of $200. Send the fee, completed forms and copies to the NJ County Surrogates county surrogate . You can deliver them in person or by mail., After You File, The court will appoint an attorney to represent the AIP. The judge sets a court date. The attorney will interview the AIP and others involved in the AIP’s care. They then write a report for the court. If the AIP contests the guardianship, the attorney may file an answer to the complaint instead of a report. During the hearing, you will present your case. You need to prove that the AIP is incapacitated and needs a guardian. If you succeed, the judge will complete the written judgment naming the guardian. Keep the written judgment in your records., Obtaining Letters of Guardianship, You cannot act as guardian until you qualify with the NJ County Surrogates county surrogate . You must qualify within 30 days of the judgment. To qualify: Sign papers from the county surrogate, including an Acceptance of Guardianship. Acknowledge receipt of guardianship training guide(s). Acknowledge completion of guardian background screening, if it applies to you. Post a surety bond**, if ordered by the judge., Letters of Guardianship, are issued after you qualify. These letters give you the power to act as guardian. Keep the letters in your records. Do not give them out. You can use short certificates to prove you are a legal guardian. Examples include providing short certificates to doctors or banks. You can purchase short certificates from the county surrogate. ** Surety bonds protect the ward’s assets. If a guardian steals or misuses the assets, the bond covers their loss. Guardians will still be legally liable for any improper use of funds., Payment for Guardians, Guardians of the estate are entitled to compensation for their efforts. The commission structure is based on the total value of the estate. In addition, guardians can receive a percentage of any income. Guardians can also apply to court to cover: Out-of-pocket costs related to guardianship. Court fees and other required fees. Attorney fees for reasonable actions. Paying for professional services (doctors, housecleaners, etc.) Guardians: Cannot receive fees or other payments from the person under guardianship unless specifically ordered by the court. Cannot receive gifts from the person under guardianship without prior court approval. Guardians can also ask the court for permission to make gifts on behalf of the person under guardianship. It is very important to keep detailed financial records. You will need to include this information in your periodic reports to the court. You might need to show proof of expenses. The court can request more information on spending. Friends and family members of the person under guardianship can ask the court to look into your spending. Keep all receipts, invoices, etc. for your records., Concerns About a Guardianship, The friends and family of the person under guardianship have the right to check up on the guardianship. They can check to see if the person is being treated fairly. They can ask the court to review financial records. The guardian has a responsibility to show they are doing the right thing. Use the Adult Guardianship - How to File a Motion in a Guardianship Case Motion Kit to file with the court once guardianship goes into effect. Any party-in-interest can file a motion. This includes the guardian themselves, the ward, or friends and family. You can file a guardianship motion if you want to: Modify guardianship protection (such as reducing the amount of a surety bond).. Modify reporting requirements. Review a guardian’s conduct. Review a guardianship., Guardianship Reporting Requirements, Most guardians are required to periodically file reports with the court. The written judgment states your reporting requirements, including when you need to report and which forms to use. Begin with the Adult Guardianship - Reporting Forms - Introductory Instructions Introductory Instructions . You should also learn the Adult Guardianship - Terms and Procedures Guardianship Terms and Procedures . These documents will help you learn the ins and outs of reporting. All periodic guardian reports must include the Report of Guardian Adult Guardianship - Report of the Guardian Cover Page Cover Page . Save this form. The Adult Guardianship - Report of Well-Being Report of Well-Being states the overall care of the person under guardianship. You need to answer the questions about the person under guardianship to the best of your ability. The report needs to include the Adult Guardianship - Certification of Examining Professional Certification of Examining Professional ., Guardianship of the Estate Reporting, Guardians of the estate need to file more involved reports. Typically, you must file the Adult Guardianship - Guardian Inventory Guardian Inventory within 90 days of the written judgment. This document lists all assets and income of the person under guardianship. In most cases, the Guardian Inventory only needs to be filed once. You will need to complete one of two forms: Adult Guardianship - EZ-Accounting Form EZ Accounting Form. Adult Guardianship - Comprehensive Accounting Form Comprehensive Accounting Form ., Copy of Social Security Representative Payee Report, . The judgment will say which form to use, how often to file the report, and when the report is due. Reports typically require a fee of $5 per page made payable to the county Surrogate. Contact the county Surrogate’s Office for payment details. For questions about how to complete periodic guardian reporting forms, contact the , Civil Practice Division, at 609-815-2900 ext. 54900 or NJGuardianship.Mailbox@NJCourts.gov . For questions regarding how to file guardian reporting forms, contact the appropriate New Jersey Surrogates County Surrogate's Office.