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  • Address: 15 Bergen St, Hackensack, NJ
  • Phone: (201) 488-0032
  • Email Address: [email protected]

Category Archives: Bergen County Bar Association

Notice to the Bar and Public: COVID-19 Adjustment as to Juror Masks

Author By J.G.Posted on

In light of updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and growing use of masks including N95s and KN95s, effective immediately all jurors who participate in in-person proceedings, including trials and grand juries, will have the option to use any appropriate mask and will not be required to use clear masks.

For jurors and other court users who lack an appropriate face mask, the Judiciary will provide a disposable mask and, optionally, an additional cloth mask to be worn on top of the disposable mask.

The Judiciary appreciates the ongoing cooperation by all court users — and especially the commitment of members of the public who continue to serve as jurors — to support health and safety in our court locations during COVID-19.

Questions on this notice should be directed to the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts at (609) 376-3000.

/s/ Glenn A. Grant

Administrative Director of the Courts

1/28/22

Civil Arbitration Program – Initial Arbitrator Training Tuesday, April 12, 2022- NJSBA Webcast

Author By J.G.Posted on

This Notice is to advise that an initial arbitrator training course will be offered as a webcast on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in conjunction with the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA).

Pursuant to Rule 1:40-12( c ), all individuals wishing to serve as arbitrators in the court-annexed civil arbitration program must complete at least three classroom hours of initial training in a course approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts. This training will provide instruction on applicable statutes, court rules and administrative directives and policies; standards of conduct; and applicable procedures for conducting arbitrations. It is intended for those individuals who meet the qualifications set forth in Rule 4:21A-2(b) for admission to the roster of arbitrators.

Individuals seeking to attend this initial arbitrator training must register in advance. The registration link is available on the NJSBA webpage at WebcastInitial Arbitration Training Program (njsba.com).

Any questions regarding this Notice or the Civil Arbitration Program may be directed to Melissa Czartoryski, Chief, Civil Court Programs, Administrative Office of the Courts, Hughes Justice Complex, P.O. Box 981, Trenton, NJ 08625; telephone (609) 815-2900 ext. 54900; email: [email protected].

/s/ Glenn A. Grant

Administrative Director of the Courts

Dated: January 21, 2022

The Family Files: Family Law Committee Report-Status of the Family Part (12/10/21)

Author By J.G.Posted on

BRUCE EVAN CHASE, ESQ.
Bergen County Bar Association
Co-Chair, Family Law Committee

On December 10, 2021, Judge Melchionne agreed to meet with me and to provide an update of certain information important to the Family Part and the practicing Bar.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MATTERS
First appearances continue to be conducted via Zoom platform. However, all other proceedings are now being conducted “live” in the courthouse. The change from “Zoom” proceedings was in part a reaction to litigants participating in online, video proceedings while in a car, in a bathroom, and in a coffee shop!

To deal with the domestic violence backlog, in addition to Judge Antoniewicz and Judge Janeczko regularly assigned to FV, Judge Francois has a domestic violence additional assignment one day per week. The FM Judges were enlisted to assist by covering FV calendars as needed and maintaining the cases they are assigned. Read More

Reduction in On-Site Presence of Judges and Staff to Continue through January 23, 2022

Author By J.G.Posted on

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 surge and consistent with COVID-19 public health recommendations, the Judiciary will continue the current reduction in on-site presence of judges and staff through January 23, 2022. As of now, we plan to resume regular on-site presence on Monday, January 24, 2022, and we will continue to monitor the situation.

State court operations will continue as follows:

  • All state court locations will remain fully open to the public and all judicial operations will continue uninterrupted.
  • State court judges and court staff will support all essential functions and conduct emergent matters.
  • Virtual jury selection and virtual trials will continue. For ongoing jury matters that are not entirely virtual, judges should advise jurors that they should plan to report in person on or after Monday, January 31, 2022. For new jury selections, judges should advise jurors that they should plan to report in person as of January 31 or a later date (e.g., February 7 or February 14) as determined by the judge.
  • Certain other in-person court events will also continue to proceed as scheduled.

Managers will provide further direction regarding work requirements, including as to employee requirements to report on-site to court locations during this time.

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner

Administrative Director Glenn A. Grant

A Message from Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and Administrative Director Glenn A. Grant: Reduced On-Site Presence of Judges and Staff for First Two Weeks of January 2022

Author By J.G.Posted on

In light of the current COVID-19 surge and consistent with COVID-19 public health recommendations, the Judiciary will reduce on-site presence of judges and staff for the first two weeks of January 2022. As we monitor and assess the changing COVID-19 conditions, we currently plan to resume regular on-site presence as of Monday, January 17, 2022.

During this period, notwithstanding the reduced on-site presence, all state court locations will continue to be fully open to the public and all judicial operations will continue uninterrupted. State court judges and court staff will support all essential functions and conduct emergent matters. In-person trials already in progress may continue. Virtual jury selection and virtual trials will continue but jurors will not report in-person for new trials until after January 17. Certain in-person court events will also proceed as scheduled. The Presiding Judge for Administration of the Appellate Division, Vicinage Assignment Judges, and the Presiding Judge of the Tax Court will provide judges with more detailed guidance as to ongoing and scheduled in-person court events during this time.

Managers will provide further direction regarding work requirements, including as to employee requirements to report on-site to court locations during this time.

Everyone is reminded of the importance of following the masking and social distancing requirements when working in on-site locations. Care should also be taken when working remotely and outside of work.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week issued revised isolation and quarantine recommendations. In light of those recommendations, the Judiciary is in the process of revising certain COVID-19 policies so as to reduce the time for exclusion from work of employees who have tested positive, been diagnosed, developed symptoms, or have been exposed to the virus. Further details will be provided.

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner

Administrative Director Glenn A. Grant

 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY: Court Operations Under The Exigent Circumstances Created By COVID-19 – Standing Order 2021-11

Author By J.G.Posted on

WHEREAS, due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the National Emergency,
first declared on March 13, 2020, remains in effect, as does the national public health
emergency, renewed again by the federal government on October 18, 2021; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public
health authorities continue to advise taking precautions to reduce the possibility of exposure
to COVID-19 and to slow the spread of the disease by, among other things, wearing masks fully
covering the nose and mouth, limiting sustained group gatherings of people, maintaining six feet
of physical distance from others (social distancing), and limiting sustained indoor activities
involving spoken presentations; and Read More

Attorneys Needed: Domestic Violence Legal Advocacy Project (DVLAP)

Author By J.G.Posted on

DVLAP is a joint program of the Bergen County Alternatives to Domestic Violence and the Bergen County Bar Association.  Participating attorneys help eligible victims of domestic violence take their first step to begin a life beyond their abusive relationship.

To learn more, please call Elizabeth R. Ostuni, Victim Advocate Coordinator at [email protected].

Any person interested in applying should complete an application using the following link: Bergen County New Jersey. Please complete, print, and sign the application. You may either scan and e-mail to: [email protected] or fax to (201) 336-7555.

VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY COACHES AND JUDGES NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION

Author By J.G.Posted on

The New Jersey State Bar Foundation is hosting its annual Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial competition this year with a modified format. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the competition will proceed virtually via Zoom for the second season in a row. As a result, volunteering to coach or judge is even more convenient than it has been in the past.

Once again, Nicole McDonough, Esq. of Archer & Greiner P.C. and John McDermott, Esq. of Harwood Lloyd are serving as co-coordinators of the Bergen County competition. We are writing to request your participation in the competition as an attorney-coach or judge.

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