The New Jersey courts currently are conducting limited on-site court proceedings, with in-person socially distanced jury trials scheduled to begin in late September 2020. Consistent adherence to public health requirements remains critical to supporting the health and safety of all court users. At the same time, attorneys and clients must have appropriate methods to communicate with the judge and privately during in-person court proceedings. To that end, this notice provides a list of approved options for sidebar communications and confidential attorney-client communications during jury trials and other on-site proceedings. Additional options may be considered on a case-by-case basis, with court approval, taking into consideration facilities and individual participant needs (including language access services and ADA accommodations).
As of this date we would like to update you on COVID-19 procedures and information regarding the partial reopening of the courthouse. Please note the following:
- We are currently in Phase 2 of statewide reopening and, in accordance with the guidelines, 15% of the courthouse staff are in the courthouse buildings.
- The courthouse is not currently open to the public for all proceedings. We will keep you informed of a projected opening date as we receive information.
- Probation and drug court litigants are being seen and drug testing is being done by appointment.
- Virtual Grand Jury continues.
- Numerous virtual proceedings in Family, Civil, Chancery, and Criminal take place on a daily basis. We have received very favorable responses from attorneys who have commented on the efficiency of these proceedings.
- Criminal trials and Civil trials will start on a very limited basis at the end of September.
- Municipal court is working well and efficiently using virtual platforms.
- There is no start date for Phase 3 at this time, wherein up to 50% of staff will be allowed in the courthouse building.
There have been major safety and health measures taken with respect to the reopening:
- When entering the courthouse building there are thermal scanners in place. If you have a temperature of 100.4 or higher, you will NOT be permitted to enter the building.
- Signage is placed throughout the courthouse with instructions on social distancing and wearing a mask in all public areas. Please bring your mask if you plan on coming to the courts.
- Touchless hand sanitizer units have been placed in all hallways for public use.
- Public intake areas are having plexiglass barriers installed.
- Efforts are underway by the county to change all the bathroom faucets and toilets “no touch” systems.
- Disinfectant wipe downs of all touch areas i.e. doorknobs, elevator buttons etc. are being done nightly by the county.
- Social distancing floor stickers are being placed on the floor at all entrances and customer service areas to facilitate social distancing.
We will continue to provide you with updates in the future. I wish to thank your President, Joseph Maurice and your Executive Executive Director, Frank O’Marra, for their efforts to bring updated information to the Bergen Bar members.
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. We continue to handle as many matters as possible by telephone, Zoom or Teams platforms. However, during Phase II of operations certain in-person proceedings are being scheduled.
This is a reminder, especially during the peak of the vacation season, that should you have an in-person proceeding scheduled and have travelled to a quarantine impacted state as contained on New Jersey’s updated Quarantine Advisory, it is incumbent upon you to inform the court as soon as possible to allow for an appropriate quarantine time period.
Please know that you will not be permitted entry into the courthouse facilities until the required 14 day quarantine period has expired from the time of your last contact within the identified state.
We are being vigilant in our efforts to ensure the safety of all in the courthouse. Therefore, in addition to the disclosure of travel to an impacted state, you have an obligation to disclose whether you have experienced:
- Fever (A Temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater);
- Symptoms (Cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chills, sore throat, muscle aches and pains, loss of taste or smell, any other unexplained illness);
- Close contact with anyone who has exhibited any of these symptoms; or
- Whether someone in your household or someone you have been in close contact that has tested positive for COVID-19 (Close contact with an infected person means within 6 feet for 10 minutes or more).
Your cooperation in keeping our courthouse safe for all who enter is much appreciated.
/s/ Bonnie J. Mizdol, A.J.S.C.
Dated: August 26, 2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to apply social distancing and other protective measures, the Judiciary by April 2, 2020 notice temporarily modified the procedures for applying for a protective order under SASPA, the Sexual Assault Survivor Protection Act of 2015. That temporary modification instructed litigants applying for a SASPA protective order to submit the completed application packet via email to the emergent mailbox either in the county in which the victim resides, the county in which the defendant resides, or the county where the act occurred.
This notice is to advise that where to submit the completed application for a SASPA protective order has changed. Those applications no longer should be submitted to the emergent mailbox, but rather should be sent through the Judiciary Electronic Document System (JEDS) at https://www.njcourts.gov/selfhelp/jeds.html. The SASPA application packet (CN 12590) has been updated on page 4 to reflect these new instructions.
Questions about this notice may be directed to the AOC’s Family Practice Division at 609-815-2900 ext. 55350.
/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.
Acting Administrator Director
Dated: August 13, 2020
NOTICE Revised Instructions for Submitting SASPA Protective Orders.pdf
The new clerks will begin their 53 weeks of service on August 25th. There will be overlap of law clerks from August 25th to August 31st.
Due to the change in the date for the Bar Examination, now October 5th and 6th, the new clerks will be off from September 28th through October 2nd to study and the additional two days for the exam on October 5th and 6th.
Because the rescheduling of the Bar impacts motion calendars, the motion calendars will be adjusted as follows:
Original Dates New Dates
August 7th August 7th to remain the same
August 21st August 28th to allow for a motion day overlap
September 4th September 11th to allow new clerks to prepare 1st motion calendar
September 18th September 25th
October 2nd October 16th to allow law clerks to study and take the exam
October 30th October 30th to remain the same
The New Jersey courts are continuing to support comprehensive court services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including for individuals seeking protection from domestic violence. Consistent with the Supreme Court’s July 24, 2020 Seventh Omnibus Order, domestic violence temporary restraining order (TRO) applications will be accepted in person with or without a prior appointment. Effective August 3, 2020, plaintiffs also can contact the Family Division by telephone during normal court hours to apply for the entry of a TRO.
Plaintiffs who contact their local police department after Superior Court hours will continue to be assisted by law enforcement with the filing of their TRO application and be heard by a Municipal Court judge. Additionally, if law enforcement issues a complaint-summons to a domestic violence defendant, or contacts the Municipal Court to request a complaint-warrant, plaintiffs should be afforded the opportunity to apply for a TRO at the same time, with the assistance of law enforcement, even if this occurred when the Superior Court is open. These TRO applications that are submitted with a complaint-warrant or a complaint-summons should be heard by a Municipal Court judge, even during Superior Court hours.
The Supreme Court has issued its Seventh Omnibus Order on Court Operations and Legal Practice during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A copy of the Order is attached.
This July 24, 2020 Seventh Omnibus Order continues certain adjustments necessitated during the COVID-19 period, including the prioritization of remote proceedings and permission for electronic signatures, remote depositions, and electronic service on the State of New Jersey. It also concludes certain blanket suspensions and extensions (including as to discovery involving experts, affidavits of merit, relaxation of Rule 4:86 regarding guardianships of incapacitated persons, and depositions and appearances by medical professionals) while permitting extensions based on the facts and circumstances of an individual case.
The July 24, 2020 Seventh Omnibus Order includes the following key provisions:
- Jury Trials. Authorizing new jury selections and new jury trials starting on or after September 21, 2020, with selections to be conducted in a primarily virtual format and trials to be conducted in person with social distancing, consistent with the Court’s July 22, 2020 Order;
- Grand Jury. Providing for the virtual selection of new grand jury panels on or after September 21, 2020;
- Criminal. Continuing excludable time provisions through September 20, 2020;
- Special Civil Part. Clarifying that Special Civil Part (DC) and Small Claims (SC) proceedings including trials can be conducted remotely with or without consent;
- Family – Quasi-Criminal. Providing that Family quasi-criminal (FO) trials shall proceed remotely only with the consent of the parties, and in the absence of consent such matters will proceed in person;
- Family – Domestic Violence. Amending Phase 2 of the Judiciary’s Post Pandemic Plan to allow applicants seeking a domestic violence restraining order to appear at court without an appointment; and
- Municipal Courts. Confirming that Municipal Court sessions will be conducted primarily using remote technologies, although in limited circumstances in-person sessions may be conducted, including for complex matters such as DWI trials and certain cases involving a consequence of magnitude.
Questions about this notice or the Court’s Seventh Omnibus Order may be directed to the Office of the Administrative at the Courts at (609) 376-3000.
/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.
Acting Administrative Director of the Courts
Dated: July 24, 2020
The Supreme Court by Order dated June 30, 2020 has relaxed Rule 1 :40-12(b) (“Mediator Training Requirements”) to temporarily allow mediator training to be conducted virtually (by video) rather than only in an in-person classroom format. The Court’s June 30, 2020 Order is attached.
Rule 1 :40-12(b) establishes mediator training requirements, including the 18-hour basic mediation training and an additional 22 hours (for a total of 40 hours) for mediators on the family roster and the civil, general equity, and probate roster. The rule requires “classroom” courses for the basic and specialized mediation and complementary dispute resolution (CDR) trainings, which courses historically have been conducted in person.
In-person trainings have been suspended during the COVID-19 crisis based on public health requirements. Over the past several months, the Judiciary has converted classroom-based curricula to support virtual mediation and CDR courses, including by using virtual breakout rooms to enable small groups to engage in interactive exercises and role plays. The Court’s June 30, 2020 Order will enable mediator trainings to resume in a virtual format during the COVID-19 crisis while social distancing requirements restrict in-person gatherings.
Questions on this notice should be directed to Kathleen Gaskill, Manager of CDR and Volunteer Programs, at [email protected].
/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.
Acting Administrative Director of the Courts
Dated: July 7, 2020
Please see the attached Notice to the Bar from the Bergen County Courthouse in regards to the Family Part Division.
The Supreme Court has issued its Fifth Omnibus Order on Court Operations and Legal Practice during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A copy of the Order is attached.
This June 25, 2020 Fifth Omnibus Order follows the format of the earlier Omnibus Orders. It continues certain suspensions and extensions through July 12, 2020 and affirms that other provisions remain in full force and effect.
The Fifth Omnibus Order concludes the restrictions on the Office of Foreclosure as established in earlier Omnibus Orders, meaning that in addition to non-dispositive motions (e.g., motions to substitute plaintiff, motions to enter default, motions for surplus funds and motions to correct defendant), the Office of Foreclosure now may recommend judgments or dispositive motions received on or after March 1, 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and based on developments in the coming weeks, the Court will revisit the provisions of the Fifth Omnibus Order and make adjustments as appropriate.
Questions about this notice or the Court’s Fifth Omnibus Order may 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: June 25, 2020
NOTICE Fifth Omnibus Order on Court Operations and Legal Practice.pdf