Dear Members,
The Bergen County Bar Association leadership meets with the Bergen County Assignment Judge
on a bimonthly basis to discuss issues of mutual interest to the judiciary and our membership.
For matters of general importance that you believe should be raised at our next meeting, please
email the BCBA.
This is a summary of the September 9, 2025, meeting with the Hon. Carol Novey Catuogno,
A.J.S.C.
Judge Catuogno opened the meeting by extending her appreciation for the cooperation
between the Judicial Bench and the Bar.
Courthouse Updates:
- Court User Resource Center – The former Law Library has been converted into
a Court User Resource Center. The Ombudsman and staff will be located there,
and the public will have access to the computers for research. - Exterior Renovation – Scaffolding will remain in place for some time, while the
State Historical Renovation Committee oversees the restoration work. This has
also pushed back the start of Phase 2 of the courthouse renovation. - Attorney Lounge – The County, in partnership with the Bergen County Bar Association,
is working on refreshing the current Attorney Lounge. The County has graciously
agreed to certain minor updates. These improvements are intended as an interim
step until Phase 2 construction is finished and the new Attorney Lounge is
opened.
Division Information:
1. Family Division
- FD Blitzes are scheduled for October 17, 2025, and November 17, 2025.
- FM Blue-Ribbon Panels of retired judges and experienced attorneys have been assisting
in resolving matrimonial matters. - Family Division COOP (remote) days are set for September 19, 2025, and November
10, 2025.
2. Criminal Division
- The Attorney-Conducted Voir Dire (ACVD) pilot program is continuing in the Criminal
Division; one such matter is currently on trial. - The Criminal Visitation Team reported a high mark for collaboration with both internal
and external stakeholders. - Criminal Division COOP (remote) day is set for October 10, 2025.
3. Civil Division
- Civil trials are proceeding; attorneys can anticipate being “sent out” on their listed trial
date. - Carrier Settlement Days are as follows:
Plymouth Rock – 9/23 and 11/18/25
Travelers – 9/23/25
Farmers – 10/15/25
Geico – 9/30/25 - Recent addition of the Round-Up cases to the MCL docket.
- Mount Laurel Cases, in the challenge phase, are moving forward.
- Settlement conference weeks are: 9/15, 9/29, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10, 12/8, and 12/22/25.
- Fees for “de novo’s” have increased to $265.00, and fees for arbitrators have increased to
$400.00 per day. - Civil Division COOP (remote) day is scheduled for December 12, 2025.
4. General Equity Division
- Judge DiBiasi, P.J.Ch. and Judge Ostuni continue to advance cases.
- The Probate Litigation, Guardianship, and Elder Law Committee will host a CLE,
Mastering Elder Law: Advanced Strategies for the Modern Practitioner, on October
16–17, 2025. - General Equity COOP (remote) day is to be announced.
5. Miscellaneous:
- Domestic Violence DP Contempt Calendar / Public Defender – The County has
graciously agreed to provide funding to maintain this position through the end of 2025,
ensuring continued representation for those whose liberty interests may be implicated. - The Judiciary and other stakeholders are deeply grateful to the County for their
commitment to sustaining this vital role and hope that it will find budgetary support to
continue into the new year and beyond. - Law Clerks – This year’s law clerks overlapped for a two-week period to allow for
training and a smooth transition. The initiative proved to be both successful and highly
beneficial for the incoming clerks.