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Category Archives: Civil

NOTICE: Continuing the Suspension of Court Proceedings, Extending Deadlines, and Timeframes

Author By J.G.Posted on

COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS – SUPREME COURT’S MARCH 27, 2020 OMNIBUS ORDER CONTINUING THE SUSPENSION OF COURT PROCEEDINGS AND EXTENDING DEADLINES AND TIMEFRAMES THROUGH APRIL 26, 2020

The Supreme Court on March 27, 2020 issued an omnibus order regarding the Judiciary’s response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus public health crisis.

Over the past few weeks, the Court entered a series of orders and notices suspending certain court proceedings, extending deadlines, and tolling time periods because of the practical impossibility of continuing business as usual during this unprecedented emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The omnibus order extends numerous of those provisions – including the suspension of jury trials, Landlord/Tenant calendars, and all Municipal Court sessions – through April 26, 2020.

In addition to those continuations, the Court’s March 27 Order also takes a number of new steps. In Civil matters, the Order extends deadlines to additional areas, including for filing affidavits of merit in medical and professional malpractice cases and various types of discovery, and it tolls time periods for lack of prosecution dismissals and discovery end dates. Read More

SUPREME COURT: Omnibus Order on COVID-19 from Friday, March 27, 2020

Author By J.G.Posted on

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

In response to the growing public health crisis worldwide and in this state involving the COVID-19 coronavirus, the New Jersey Judiciary has implemented various modifications to court operations, including an ongoing transition to video and phone proceedings instead of in-person appearances and related measures intended to minimize in-person contact and adhere to crucial social distancing measures recommended by the New Jersey Department of Health (“NJ DOH”) and the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”).

In conjunction with those operational changes, the Court has entered a series of orders suspending certain court proceedings, extending deadlines, and tolling time periods because of the practical impossibility of continuing business as usual during this public health crisis. Since the entry of those orders and notices, the effect of the COVID-19 corona virus has continued to increase exponentially, prompting emergency declarations at the national, -state, and county levels, and further disrupting the practice of law and the normal operations of the courts. The Court has reviewed its interim measures and determined that, in the interest of justice, the effective periods must be extended based on current restrictions on movement and activity recommended by the NJ DOH and CDC, as well as provisions of Executive Order 107 (March 21, 2020). Read More

NOTICE: Rule Relaxation Regarding “Courtesy Copies” of Civil Motion Papers

Author By J.G.Posted on

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

In response to the growing public health crisis worldwide and in this state involving the COVID-19 coronavirus, the New Jersey Judiciary continues to implement all possible measures to apply social distancing in court operations consistent with the recommendations of the New Jersey Department of Health (“NJ DOH”) and the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”).

The Judiciary accordingly has closed comi buildings to the public and adjusted the operations of court offices to reduce the risk of exposure to or transmission of the virus.

Executive Order 107 (March 21, 2020) imposed strict limitations on the operations of “brick-and-mortar” businesses and required telecommuting to the greatest extent possible, causing law firms to transition expeditiously to remote work operations with few if any attorneys or staff working from their law firm offices. Read More

NOTICE: Suspending Depositions and Appearances of Medical Professionals Involved in Addressing COVID-19

Author By J.G.Posted on

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

In response to the still expanding public health crisis worldwide and in this state involving the COVID-19 coronavirus, the New Jersey Judiciary continues to modify court operations to the fullest extent possible in accordance with the recommendations of the New Jersey Department of Health (“NJ DOH”) and the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”).

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a critical need for the uninterrupted services of many doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals.

Recognizing that critical need, it is ORDERED that effective immediately through Sunday, April 26, 2020, all depositions of and all required appearances for any doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals who are involved in responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency are suspended, except for appearances and depositions (i) that are requested by the doctor, nurse, or healthcare professional; or (ii) that are for matters related to COVID-19.

For the Court

/s/ Stuart Rabner

Chief Justice

Dated: March 24, 2020

NOTICE: Bergen County Courthouse Emergent Phone Numbers

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As you know, there are currently no in-person court proceedings, except for limited emergent matters, because of concerns related to COVID-19. In the event you have an emergent matter in the Bergen Vicinage please call our main telephone number (201) 221-0700.

For Family Division matter per docket type please use the following extension:

DV Matters – 25168

FM Matters – 25237

FJ Matters – 25205

CIC Matters – 25216

For Criminal Division Trial matters please call either extension 25007 or 25008.

For Pretrial matters call extension 25009.

For Civil Division matters please use the following extensions: 25722.

For Child Support matters, please call (877) 655-4371.

For the Fiance Division please call extension 25135 or 25136.

These extensions are being constantly monitored. In the event you leave a voice mail message, you will receive a call back from staff.

 

/s/ Laura Simoldoni,

Trial Court Administrator

Dated: March 24, 2020

NOTICE: Bergen County Civil Pre-Trial Settlement Conference Program

Author By J.G.Posted on

As reflected in the court’s Automated Case Management System, pretrial judicial settlement conferences, scheduled to be conducted by the Hon. Lisa Perez-Friscia, J.S.C., through April 3, 2020, are CANCELLED.  Civil Judges in Bergen – including Judge Perez-Friscia – may call counsel and initiate settlement conferences telephonically.  The Bar is advised to check ACMS for scheduling updates on their cases.

 

/s/ Hon. Robert L. Polifroni, P.J.Cv.

Dated: March 24, 2020

NOTICE: Extension of Property Tax Appeal Filing Deadline Due to COVID-19

Author By J.G.Posted on

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

WHEREAS, a national emergency has been declared and the Governor of New Jersey has declared a State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency because of the COVID-19 coronavirus public health crisis, with statewide implementation of social distancing measures to attempt to slow the spread of the virus; and

WHEREAS, those measures are resulting in unprecedented closures and cancellations throughout the state such that corporate and residential property taxpayers are severely disrupted in their ability to meet filing deadlines in property tax appeals before the County Boards of Taxation and the New Jersey Tax Court; Read More

NOTICE: Update Related to Bergen County Superior Court Operations

Author By J.G.Posted on

NOTICE TO THE BERGEN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

MARCH 18, 2020

The Bergen County Judiciary, in conjunction with the New Jersey Judiciary, is continuing to take preventive measures to reduce risks of exposure to and transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus.  As of March 18, 2020, and until further notice, there shall be NO in-person Superior Court proceedings (except for extremely limited emergent matters as set forth in the March 15, 2020, Notice to the Bar attached).

The Bergen Judiciary shall attempt to handle as many matters as possible (including case management conferences, motions, and hearings) by telephone or video conference, whether from the courthouse or remotely in the days and weeks ahead.  This is all part of the Judiciary’s social distancing effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.

In order to conduct conferences via video we shall be using the Zoom Platform.  To prepare, I urge that you download the application on your devices.

In the meantime, the situation is fluid and we continue to plan for further adjustments.  At the time of this writing the Bergen Judiciary has implemented the following changes: Read More

NOTICE: Adjourning Civil Commitment Initial Hearings – Adult and Juvenile

Author By J.G.Posted on

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has created a public health emergency that requires an adjournment of scheduled involuntary civil commitment hearings to implement measures to support the safety of individuals subject to involuntary civil commitment as well as others involved in the proceedings.

The Judiciary is working with the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Office of the Public Defender, and County Adjusters to make such operational adjustments, which may include social distancing as well as conducting proceedings using video or phone conferencing when appropriate.

Accordingly, it is ORDERED that all initial hearings for the involuntary civil commitment of an adult scheduled from Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 27, 2020, will be adjourned for a period of not more than 14 days, pursuant to Rule 4:74-7( c )(1); and

It is FURTHER ORDERED that all initial hearings for the involuntary civil commitment of a minor scheduled from Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 27, 2020, will be adjourned for a period of not more than 7 days, pursuant to Rule 4:74-7A(b)(2).

For the Court,

/s/ Stuart Rabner

Chief Justice

Dated: March 17, 2020

NOTICE: Order Extending Discovery and Tolling Filing Deadlines

Author By J.G.Posted on

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY

WHEREAS, a national emergency has been declared and the Governor of New Jersey has declared a State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency and has recommended the cancellation of mass gatherings throughout the State in response to the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus; and

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Health (“NJ DOH”), Centers for Disease Prevention (“CDC”), and other public health authorities have advised public and private agencies to promptly take necessary precautions to reduce exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 and slow the spread the disease; and

WHEREAS, in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Health, the Judiciary postponed non-emergent court proceedings effective March 16, 2020, as the court system prepares to provide services through video and phone conferencing rather than in-person;

IT IS ORDERED that, effective immediately and until further order, pursuant to N.J. Const., Art VI, sec. 2, par. 3:

  1. In Civil matters, the provisions of Rules 4:24-1(a), 4:24-1(c), 4:46-1, and 4:36-3 are relaxed and supplemented to permit the extension of discovery deadlines; and
  2. In Family matters, the provisions of Rule 5:5-1(e) are relaxed and supplemented to permit the extension of discovery deadlines; and
  3. In the computation of time periods under the Rules of Court and under any statute of limitations for matters in all courts, for purposes of filing deadlines, March 16 through March 27, 2020 shall be deemed the same as a legal holiday,

 

For the Court,

/s/ Stuart Rabner

Chief Justice

Dated: March 17, 2020

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