This notice announces additional statewide steps by the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation to address the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis in New Jersey.
The N.J. Division of Workers’ Compensation shall implement a cautious return to normal operations with the resumption of limited in-person proceedings and an increase of on-site presence of workers’ compensation judges and court staff as set forth below.
The Supreme Court in its June 9, 2020 Order required that all persons who enter or occupy Judiciary areas of court locations must wear masks and maintain social distancing. The requirement to (1) wear a mask and (2) maintain social distancing is subject to narrow exceptions, including for persons who require accommodations. The Judiciary in a June 17, 2021 notice confirmed the continuation of the policy and provided further direction as to the circumstances in which a judge may permit individuals in a courtroom to remove or lower their mask. This notice is to advise as to the consequences for willful violation of the Court’s policy, which is intended to mitigate against the risks to public health and safety posed by the COVID-19 virus.
A person who enters or occupies a Judiciary location and refuses to wear a mask or maintain social distancing in willful violation of the Supreme Court’s policy as set forth in the above-referenced order and notice may be excluded from the court location. Such individual also may be held in contempt of court (Rule 1: 10-1 ). Those provisions do not apply to individuals who are exempted from the policy, including persons who require medical accommodations and children under the age of two years. Nor do they apply if an individual has been permitted by a judge to remove their mask in a courtroom.
County Sheriffs may be called to assist in any situation in which an individual is in willful violation of those health and safety requirements.
Questions should be directed to the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts at (609) 376-3000.
/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.
Acting Administrative Director of the Courts
Dated: July 30, 2021
As of August 2, 2021, the Bergen County Surrogate’s Court will reopen to the public. Appointments for probating and other court work as well as record researching are mandatory. Individuals without appointments will be required to leave the premises.
In order to arrange an appointment, please call 201-336-6700 and ask for an employee in the appropriate division. Read More
State Court Locations Fully Open as of August 2, 2021
All state court locations will reopen to the public as of August 2, 2021, thus concluding the temporary restrictions on public access to the courthouses implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of that August 2, 2021 date, individuals may be present in court locations regardless of their involvement in a scheduled court proceeding and without the need for an appointment.
State Court Employees and Judges:
This broadcast message announces four important steps in the Judiciary’s transition to post-pandemic operations:
(1) As of August 2, 2021, all state court locations will fully reopen to the public.
(2) Also as of August 2, 2021, on-site presence of state court employees will increase from 50% to 75%.
(3) As of September 7, 2021, on-site presence of state court employees will increase from 75% to 100%.
(4) The Supreme Court has authorized in concept a plan for remote work for eligible state court employees in good standing, currently under development and expected to be available starting September 7, 2021.
State Court Locations Fully Open as of August 2, 2021 Read More
The Supreme Court has authorized mandatory settlement conferences in residential landlord tenant matters. This interim step is effective immediately pending further Court action on the Report and Recommendations of the Judiciary Special Committee on Landlord Tenant (“Special Committee”).
All vicinages will schedule mandatory settlement conferences for pending landlord tenant cases. As set forth in the Court’s attached July 1, 2021 Order, priority will be given to the nearly 14,000 landlord tenant cases that have been pending for more than one year or in which more than 12 months of rent is claimed to be due.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share in tonight’s program honoring United States Magistrate Ed Kiel and Bergen County Assistant Prosecutor, Karen Gwynn – both of whom have distinguished themselves in every walk of life. It is truly my privilege.
It is also my privilege to lead the Bergen Judiciary – a judiciary dedicated to the principles of fairness, equality, courtesy, and respect for all individuals.
It has been along time since I’ve had the opportunity to speak to you from an in-person podium and not on a Zoom Platform. It feels great.
Our criminal part judges continue to handle criminal matters by utilizing technology to enable the parties to appear remotely.
I have assigned our criminal part judges to handle emergent matters for the months of September through December, 2021 as set forth in the schedule listed below. Of course, this schedule is subject to any changes that may be implemented.
The schedule is as follows: Read More
Current Items:
Given the suspension of most civil jury trials during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court has relaxed the provisions of Rule 4:25-4 (“Designation of Trial Counsel”), including to suspend the presumptive expiration of the designation of trial counsel in Track III medical malpractice cases. The Court’s June 15, 2021 Order is attached.
Questions about this notice or the Court’s June 15, 2021 Order should be directed to the Civil Practice Division of the Administrative Office of the Courts at (609) 815-2900 x54900.
/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.
Acting Administrative Director of the Courts
Dated: June 17, 2021
Notice and Order – COVID-19 – Designation of Trial Counsel – Relaxation of Rule 4:25-4.pdf