The Bergen County Jail (BCJ) has created a computer lab where inmates can view discovery weekly during scheduled blocks of time. Tablets may be available for inmates to access Lexis/Nexis for research purposes. Laptops may also be utilized as necessary and in the discretion of the BCJ. Viewing time for discovery may be expanded by court order during the inmate’s trial upon consultation with BCJ officials. Read More
NOTICE FROM HONORABLE JOHN D. O’DWYER, P.J.Cv.
As of March 1, 2023, all mandatory Civil Arbitrations in the Bergen County Vicinage will be conducted In-Person at the Bergen County Courthouse. The provisions of Rule 4:21A-4 as to appearance at Arbitration will be in effect.
Please alert colleagues as to this change and requirement.
The Office of Attorney Ethics welcomes applicants to apply for appointments by the New Jersey Supreme Court to the District Ethics and Fee Arbitration Committees. Please submit application materials directly to the Office of Attorney Ethics for appointment for the four-year term to begin on September 1 of the upcoming year. Click below for more information.
Click below for the new docket numbers for Pre-Judgment-Dissolution Motions/Trials and Post-Judgment – Motions/Plenary Hearings.
The Supreme Court in the attached October 24, 2022 Order has concluded the temporary suspension of the requirement to submit paper “courtesy copies” to the judge in Civil and Family matters. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2023, attorneys must send paper copies to the judge as required by Rule 1:6-4 (“Superior Court; Place for Filing Motions, Orders to Show Cause and Orders”).
Questions on the Court’s Order may be directed to the Civil Practice Division at (609) 815-2900 X54900 or the Family Practice Division at (609) 815-2900 x55350.
/s/ Glenn A. Grant
Administrative Director of the Courts
Dated: October 25, 2022
As of November 1, 2022, the standard hourly fee in guardianship matters for court appointed counsel shall increase to $275.00 per hour.
In matters in which individuals have greater financial resources, Chancery Judges shall consider augmenting that hourly amount.
For those individuals who have contributed their time and energies at a reduced rate, your efforts and generosity are recognized and appreciated.
/s/ Hon. Bonnie J. Mizdol, A.J.S.C.
Dated: October 21, 2022
The Judiciary in October 2021 announced the creation of a new eCourts user access role for attorneys’ staff using an independent user ID; see the October 1, 2021 Notice. Initially limited to Criminal eCourts, this user access role for attorneys’ staff was expanded in March 2022 to also include eCourts for Civil Law, General Equity, Special Civil Part, and Tax Court, as well as the eCourts Expungement System; see the March 24, 2022 Notice. This notice is to advise that this user access role for attorneys’ staff is being further expanded to eCourts Family effective September 30, 2022.
To acquire this user access, attorneys’ staff must first register via the Judiciary website at the self-registration portal. Once registered, the attorneys’ staff person must provide that new user ID to the attorney so that the attorney can associate the staff person’s account to the attorney’s bar ID. Once that has been done, the attorneys’ staff may electronically file documents, view the case jacket, and save and print documents using their user access without the need to use the attorney’s credentials.
Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office at SCCO.mailbox@njcourts.gov or 609-421-6100.
/s/ Glenn A. Grant,
Administrative Director of the Courts
September 29, 2022
Early Disposition Court (EDC) is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Bergen County. During the pandemic, we have continued to make this pre-indictment court a priority and carved out new protocols to effectuate case dispositions in a virtual manner. With the elimination of social distancing, it has been determined that a return to in-person proceedings is now warranted. Effective OCTOBER 3, 2022, all appearances from stakeholders and litigants will be required to be in person for both sessions (Tuesdays and Thursdays).
EDC Supplemental Information
This is a supplement and modification to the previously submitted announcement regarding EDC. Effective 10/3/2022, ALL defendants, including those that are detained in the Bergen County Jail, will be present for their court appearances in EDC on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
In response to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social distancing and masks will no longer be required for jury proceedings in New Jersey courtrooms.
The changes, announced in an order signed today by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, go into effect Sept. 1. The order makes clear that face masks are still permitted in jury proceedings but not required. It also continues the process for all jurors to report virtually at first while providing trial judges the discretion to continue juror voir dire virtually or in person. Read More
Condemnation Commissioners
The Court is seeking to recruit attorneys who may be interested in serving as Condemnation Commissioners. Judge Mizdol asks that anyone interested in a potential appointment, please send a letter of interest along with a resume directly to her chambers.
N.J.S.A. 20:3-12 governs the Appointment of Commissioners.
Commissioners shall be residents of the county in which any part of the property being condemned is located or, in the case of the commissioner who must be an attorney, be actively engaged in the practice of law in the county.