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 is implementing all possible measures to apply social distancing in current court operations consistent with the recommendations of the New Jersey Department of Health (“NJ DOH”) and the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”).
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that effective immediately and until further order: Read More
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
The deadline has been extended for filing an application for certification for examinations given in 2020. The extended deadline is May 29, 2020 by postmark or hand delivery for submitting a completed application for Civil Trial Certification, Criminal Trial Certification, Matrimonial Law Certification, Workers’ Compensation Law Certification, and Municipal Court Law Certification. Applications are available from the Board’s website at:
https://www.njcourts.gov/attorneys/attres.html
Supreme Court of New Jersey
Board on Attorney Certification
PO Box 965
Trenton, NJ 08625-0965
(605) 815-2930
Clerk of the Supreme Court
Dated: March 18, 2020
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
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:
For the Court,
/s/ Stuart Rabner
Chief Justice
Dated: March 17, 2020
Consistent with the March 9, 2020 notice, the Judiciary is continuing take preventive measures to reduce risks of exposure to and transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus. In conjunction with those precautionary efforts, we are implementing the following immediate changes to our business operations and planning for potential further adjustments in the coming days and weeks.
1. We are making changes to jury management and operations. Read More
Pursuant to Regulation 201:8 (“Alternative Verifiable Learning Formats”), the Board on Continuing Legal Education requires that attorneys complete twelve credit hours in the form of live classroom instruction for each two-year compliance period for continuing legal education. In response to the growing public health crisis worldwide and in New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended social distancing to try to minimize exposure to and transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
It is therefore, for good cause shown, ORDERED that effective immediately and until further order of the Court, the live classroom instruction requirement is relaxed. Until further notice, all twenty-four credit hours for the compliance period may be fulfilled through approved courses offered in alternative verifiable learning formats.
For the Court,
/s/ Stuart Rabner
Chief justice
Dated: March 10, 2020
The New Jersey courts are following the guidance of the New Jersey Department of Health (NJ DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to navigate the evolving situation relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Based on that guidance, we are currently maintaining normal business operations. All courthouses and court facilities at present remain open according to their regular schedules.
At the same time, we are taking preventive measures to reduce risk and allay concerns. It is imperative that attorneys, litigants, court users, and court employees not come to court if they are or may be at risk of exposure to or transmission of COVID-19. Instead, as stressed in the message posted on our public website (njcourts.gov), anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 or a risk of exposure (including a risk based on recent travel) should contact the court by phone and request to reschedule the proceeding or seek some other accommodation. Requests should be documented in writing as well. Judges and staff will handle requests on a case-by-case basis consistent with the most up-to-date guidance from the NJ DOH and CDC.
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