Sunday, September 6, 2015

Supreme Court adopts rule amendments to become effective September 1, 2015. Click here to read the Court’s 2015 Omnibus Rule Amendment Order.


 SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY 
It is ORDERED that the attached amendments to the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey are adopted to be effective September 1, 2015. 
For the Court, 
Chief Justice 
Dated: July 27, 2015 - 1 -The Rules and Appendices Amended and Adopted by this Order Are as Follows: 
1:20-11A 1:38-3 1:40-2 1:40-3 1:40-4 1:40-6 1:40-7 1:40-8 1:40-12 2:9-1 3:5-7 3:10-3 (new) 3:13-3 3:14-1 3:21-11 (new) 3:26-2 4:21A-1 4:59-1 5:1-4 5:1-5 (new) 5:3-2 5:3-8 (new) 5:4-2 5:5-4 5:5-6 5:5-7 5:6-1 5:7-4 5:7-4A (new) 5:7-5 5:7-11 (new) 5:12-4 5:14-4 (new) 7:5-2 7:5-4 (new) 7:7-2 
RPC 7.5 
Appendix V Appendix IX-A Appendix IX-B Appendix IX-C Appendix IX-D Appendix IX-H Appendix XXVI Appendix XXIX-A (new) Appendix XXIX-B (new) Appendix XXIX-C (new) Appendix XXIX-D (new) - 2 -
1:20-11A. Suspension of License to Practice Law for Failure to Support Dependents 
(a) Suspension and Reinstatement of License. Upon receipt of an order issued pursuant to 
R. 5:7-5[(e)](b), that calls for the suspension of a license to practice law in New Jersey, the Supreme Court shall enter an order suspending the attorney from the practice of law. The Supreme Court shall enter an order reinstating the license to practice law, without the need for the attorney to file a verified petition for reinstatement or publish a notice as required by R. 1:2021, upon receipt of an order issued by the Chancery Division, Family Part calling for the reinstatement of the license. 
(b) Release of Attorney Information to Probation Division. The Office of Attorney Ethics and the New Jersey Lawyer's Fund for Client Protection shall, upon request, provide the Probation Division of the Superior Court with, if available, an attorney's social security number, home address and primary law office address when the basis for such a request is a license revocation proceeding in accordance with R. 5:7-5[(e)](b)
Note: Adopted March 15, 1996, to be effective immediately; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 3 -
1:38-3. Court Records Excluded from Public Access The following court records are excluded from public access: 
(a) General. . . . no change. 
(b) Internal Records. . . . no change. 
(c) Records of Criminal and Municipal Court Proceedings. . . . no change. 
(d) Records of Family Part Proceedings. 

(1) . . . no change. 
(2) Confidential Litigant Information Sheets pursuant to R. 5:4-2(g) and Affidavits or Certifications of Insurance Coverage pursuant to R. 5:4-2(f)
(3) . . . no change. 
(4) . . . no change. 
(5) . . . no change. 
(6) . . . no change. 
(7) . . . no change. 
(8) . . . no change. 
(9) . . . no change. 
(10) . . . no change. 
(11) . . . no change. 
(12) . . . no change. 
(13) . . . no change. 
(14) . . . no change. 
(15) . . . no change. 
(16) . . . no change. 
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(17) . . . no change. 

(e) Records of Guardianship Proceedings. . . . no change. 
(f) Records of Other Proceedings. . . . no change. 

Note: New Rule 1:38-3 adopted July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; subparagraph (b)(1) amended December 9, 2009 to be effective immediately; paragraphs (e) and (f) amended January 5, 2010 to be effective immediately; subparagraph (c)(11) amended, subparagraph (c)(12) adopted, and subparagraph (d)(10) amended February 16, 2010 to be effective immediately; subparagraph (d)(1) amended June 23, 2010 to be effective July 1, 2010; paragraph 
(e) amended October 10, 2010 to be effective immediately; paragraph (e) amended February 28, 2013 to be effective immediately; subparagraph (d)(12) amended July 9, 2013 to be effective September 1, 2013; subparagraph (d)(2) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 5 -
1:40-2. Modes and Definitions of Complementary Dispute Resolution 
Complementary Dispute Resolution Programs (CDR) conducted under judicial supervision in accordance with these rules, as well as guidelines and directives of the Supreme Court, and the persons who provide the services to these programs are as follows: 
(a) "Adjudicative Processes" means and includes the following: 
(1) Arbitration: A process by which each party and/or its counsel presents its case to a neutral third party, who then renders a specific award. The parties may stipulate in advance of the arbitration that the award shall be binding. If not so stipulated, the provisions of Rule 4:21A-6 (Entry of Judgment; Trial De Novo) shall be applicable. 
(2) Settlement Proceedings: A process by which the parties appear before a neutral third party or neutral panel [of such neutrals], who assists them in attempting to resolve their dispute by voluntary agreement. 
(3) Summary Jury Trial: A process by which the parties present summaries of their respective positions to a panel of jurors, which may then issue a non-binding advisory opinion as to liability, damages, or both. 
(b) "Evaluative Processes" means and includes the following: 
(1) Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE): A pre-discovery process by which the attorneys, in the presence of their respective clients, present their factual and legal contentions to a neutral evaluator, who then provides an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each position and, if settlement does not ensue, assists in narrowing the dispute and proposing discovery guidelines. 
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(2) Neutral Fact Finding: A process by which a neutral third party, agreed upon by the parties, investigates and analyzes a dispute involving complex or technical issues, and who then makes non-binding findings and recommendations. 
(c) "Facilitative Process," which [means and] includes mediation, [which] is a process by which a [mediator] neutral third party facilitates communication between parties in an effort to promote settlement without imposition of the [mediator’s] facilitator’s own judgment regarding the issues in dispute. 
(d) "Hybrid Process" means and includes: (1)(A) Mediation-arbitration: A process by which, after an initial mediation, unresolved issues are then arbitrated. (1)(B) Arbitration-mediation: A process by which, after initial arbitration proceedings, but before the award is delivered, the parties are jointly given the opportunity to mediate a resolution. If successful, the mediated settlement is executed by the parties and the arbitration award is disregarded. If unsuccessful, the arbitration award is delivered to the parties. 
(2) Mini-trial: A process by which the parties present their legal and factual [conditions] contentions to either a panel of representatives selected by each party, or a neutral third party, or both, in an effort to define the issues in dispute and to assist settlement negotiations. A neutral third party may issue an advisory opinion, which shall not, however, be binding, unless the parties have so stipulated in writing in advance. 
(e) . . . no change. 
(f) "Neutral Third Party:" A "neutral third party" is an individual who provides a CDR process. [A "qualified neutral" is an individual included on any roster of neutrals maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts or an Assignment Judge. Neutral evaluators, neutral fact 
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finders, and settlement program panelists] Neutral third parties serving as mediators must comply with the requirements of R. 1:40-12. Neutral third parties serving as other than mediators, that is, who are conducting Arbitrations, Settlement Proceedings, Summary Jury Trials, Early Neutral Evaluations, or Neutral Fact Finding processes, are not required to comply with the [training] requirements of [Rule] R. 1:40-12 [or to be on any roster of neutrals maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts or an Assignment Judge]. 
(g) Roster Mediator; Non-Roster Mediator: A roster mediator is an individual included on any roster of mediators maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts or an Assignment Judge. A non-roster mediator is an individual who provides mediation, but is not listed on any roster of mediators maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts or an Assignment Judge. The parties may agree to use a roster mediator or a non-roster mediator. 

Note: Adopted July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; caption and text amended, paragraphs (a) through (d) deleted, new paragraphs (a) through (f) adopted July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; corrective amendment to paragraph (a)(3) adopted November 8, 2000 to be effective immediately; subparagraphs (a)(2) and (b)(2) amended, paragraph (c) amended, subparagraph (d)(1) redesignated as subparagraph (d)(1)(A), new subparagraph (d)(1)(B) adopted, subparagraph (d)(2) amended, paragraph (f) amended and new paragraph (g) adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 8 -
1:40-3. Organization and Management 
(a) Vicinage Organization and Management. Pursuant to these rules and Supreme Court guidelines, the Assignment Judge of each vicinage shall have overall responsibility for CDR programs, including their development and oversight, continuing relations with the Bar to secure the effectiveness of these programs, and mechanisms to educate judges, attorneys, staff, and the public on the benefits of CDR. The Assignment Judge shall appoint a CDR coordinator to assist in the oversight, coordination and management of the vicinage CDR programs. The Assignment Judge shall maintain, pursuant to these rules, all required rosters of [neutrals] neutral third parties except the roster of statewide civil, general equity, and probate action mediators, which shall be maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts
(b) Statewide Organization and Management. . . . no change. 
Note: Adopted July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; caption amended, text amended and designated as paragraph (a), and new paragraph (b) adopted July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; paragraph (a) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 9 -
1:40-4. Mediation -General Rules 
(a) Referral to Mediation. . . . no change. 
(b) Compensation and Payment of Mediators Serving in the Civil and Family Economic Mediation Programs. [Parties] The real parties in interest in Superior Court, except in the Special Civil Part, assigned to mediation pursuant to this rule shall equally share the fees and expenses of the mediator on an ongoing basis, subject to court review and allocation to create equity. Any fee or expense of the mediator shall be waived in cases, as to those parties exempt, pursuant to [Rule] R. 1:13-2(a). Subject to the provisions of Guidelines 2 and 15 in Appendix XXVI, Guidelines for the Compensation of Mediators, if the parties select a mediator from the court’s rosters of civil and family mediators, the parties [A party] may opt out of the mediation process after the mediator has expended two hours of service, which shall be allocated equally between preparation and the first mediation session, and which shall be at no cost to the parties. As provided in Guideline 7 in Appendix XXVI, fees for roster mediators after the first two free hours shall be at the mediator’s market rate as set forth on the court’s mediation roster. As provided in Guideline 4 in Appendix XXVI, if the parties select a non-roster mediator, that mediator may negotiate a fee and need not provide the first two hours of service free. [Fees shall be as determined by the mediator and the parties. Failure to pay the mediator may result in an order by the court to pay the fees and costs of the mediator including any additional costs and fees incurred due to the non-payment and imposing appropriate sanctions.] 
(c) Evidentiary Privilege. . . . no change. 
(d) Confidentiality. . . . no change. 
(e) Limitations on Service as a Mediator. 
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[(1) Mediators shall be qualified and trained in accordance with the provisions of Rule 1:40-12.] 
[(2)] (1) No one holding a public office or position or any candidate for a public office or position shall serve as a [court-approved] mediator in a matter directly or indirectly involving the governmental entity in which that individual serves or is seeking to serve. 
[(3)] (2) The approval of the Assignment Judge is required for service as a mediator by any of the following: (A) police or other law enforcement officers employed by the State or by any local unit of government; (B) employees of any court; or (C) government officials or employees whose duties involve regular contact with the court in which they serve. 
[(4)] (3) The Assignment Judge and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall also have the discretion to [require] request prior review and approval of the Supreme Court of prospective mediators whose employment or position appears to either the Assignment Judge or the Administrative Office of the Courts to require such review and approval. 
(f) Mediator Disclosure of Conflict of Interest. 
(1) Before accepting a mediation, a [person who is requested to serve as a] mediator shall: 
(A) make an inquiry that is reasonable under the circumstances to determine whether there are any known facts that a reasonable person would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the mediator, including a financial or personal interest in the outcome of the mediation or an existing or past relationship with a mediation party or foreseeable participant in the mediation; and 
(B) disclose any such known fact to the mediation parties as soon as is practicable before accepting a mediation. 
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(2) . . . no change. 
(3) After entry of the order of referral [in an economic] to mediation, if the court is advised by the mediator, counsel, or one of the parties that a conflict of interest exists, the [court shall reassign the case to a different mediator. The] parties shall have the opportunity to select a replacement mediator [from the roster] or the court may appoint one. An amended order of referral shall then be prepared and provided to the parties. All data shall be entered into the [Family Automated Case Tracking System (FACTS)] appropriate Judiciary case management system
(g) Conduct of Mediation Proceedings. Mediation proceedings shall commence with an opening statement by the mediator describing the purpose and procedures of the process. Mediators may require the participation of persons with negotiating authority. An attorney or other individual designated by a party may accompany the party to and participate in a mediation. A waiver of representation or participation given before the mediation may be rescinded. Non-party [witnesses may be heard in the discretion of the mediator, and other non-parties shall be permitted to attend] participants shall be permitted to attend and participate in the mediation only with the consent of the parties and the mediator. Multiple sessions may be scheduled. Attorneys and parties have an obligation to participate in the mediation process in good faith and with a sense of urgency in accordance with program guidelines. 
(h) Termination of Mediation. 
(1) The mediator or a [participant] party may adjourn or terminate the session if 
(A) [there is an imbalance of power between the parties that the mediator cannot overcome,] a party challenges the impartiality of the mediator, (B) [a party challenges the impartiality of the mediator,] a party continuously resists the mediation process or the mediator, (C) [there is 
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abusive behavior that the mediator cannot control,] there is a failure of communication that seriously impedes effective discussion, or (D) [a party continuously resists the mediation process or the mediator] the mediator believes a party is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
(2) The mediator shall terminate the session if (A) [there is a failure of communication that seriously impedes effective discussion,] there is an imbalance of power between the parties that the mediator cannot overcome, (B) [the mediator believes a party is under the influence of drugs or alcohol,] there is abusive behavior that the mediator cannot control, or (C) the mediator believes continued mediation is inappropriate or inadvisable for any reason. 
(i) Final Disposition. If the mediation results in the parties’ total or partial agreement, [it shall be reduced to writing and a copy thereof furnished to each party.] said agreement must be reduced to writing, signed by each party, and furnished to each party. The agreement need not be filed with the court, but [if formal proceedings have been stayed pending mediation, the] both roster and non-roster mediators shall report the status of the matter to the court by submission of the Completion of Mediation form [whether agreement has been reached]. If an agreement is not reached, the matter shall be referred back to court for formal disposition. 

Note: Adopted July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; paragraph (c)(3) amended and paragraph (c)(4) adopted June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996; paragraphs (a) and (c)(2) amended and paragraph (c)(3)(v) adopted July 10, 1998 to be effective September 1, 1998; caption amended, paragraph (a) amended and redesignated as paragraphs (a) and (b), paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) amended and redesignated as paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(3) amended July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; paragraph (b) amended July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006; new paragraph (c) adopted, former paragraph (c) redesignated as paragraph (d) and amended, former paragraph (d) redesignated as paragraph (e), new paragraph (f) adopted, former paragraph (e) redesignated as paragraph (g) and amended, former paragraph (f) redesignated as paragraph (h), and former paragraph (g) redesignated as paragraph (i) June 15, 2007 to be effective September 1, 2007; paragraph (b) amended and new subparagraph (f)(3) adopted July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; paragraph (b) amended, subparagraph (e)(1) deleted, - 13 -
subparagraphs (e)(2), (e)(3) and (e)(4) amended and redesignated as subparagraphs (e)(1), (e)(2) and (e)(3), subparagraphs (f)(1) and (f)(3) amended, paragraph (g) amended, subparagraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) amended, and paragraph (i) amended July 27, 2105 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 14 -
1:40-6. Mediation of Civil, Probate, and General Equity Matters 
The CDR program of each vicinage shall include mediation of civil, probate, and general equity matters, pursuant to rules and guidelines approved by the Supreme Court. 
(a) Referral to Mediation. . . . no change. 
(b) Designation of Mediator. Within 14 days after entry of the mediation referral order, the parties may select a mediator, who may, but need not, be listed on the court's Roster of Civil Mediators. Lead plaintiff's counsel must in writing provide the CDR Point Person in the county, as well as the individual designated by the court in the mediation referral order, with the name of the selected mediator. If the parties do not timely select a mediator, the individual designated by the court in the mediation referral order shall serve. All roster and non-roster mediators [on the court's roster as well as those not on the roster], whether party-selected or court-designated, shall comply with the terms and conditions set forth in the mediation referral order. 
(c) Stay of Proceedings. . . . no change. 
(d) Withdrawal and Removal from Mediation. . . . no change. 
(e) Mediation Statement. . . . no change. 
(f) Procedure Following Mediation. . . . no change. 
(g) Compensation of Mediators. . . . no change. 

Note: Adopted July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000 (and former Rule 1:40-6 redesignated as Rule 1:40-7); paragraph (b) amended July 12, 2002 to be effective September 3, 2002; paragraphs (e) and (g) amended July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006; paragraph (a) amended September 11, 2006 to be effective immediately; paragraph (e) amended July 31, 2007 to be effective September 1, 2007; paragraph (d) amended July 9, 2008 to be effective September 1, 2008; paragraph (e) amended July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; paragraph (b) amended July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011; paragraph (b) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 15 -
1:40-7. Complementary Dispute Resolution in the Special Civil Part 
(a) Small Claims. Each vicinage shall provide a small claims settlement program in which (1) law clerks from all the divisions who have been trained in settlement techniques and as mediators pursuant to R. 1:40-12(b)[(5)](6), and other employees and volunteers who have been trained in settlement techniques and as mediators pursuant to R. 1:40-12(b)(1), serve as trained [neutrals] facilitators who help litigants settle their cases, and (2) cases that are not settled are tried on the same day, if possible. The training requirements apply to law clerks but not to other attorneys. 
(b) Tenancy Actions. . . . no change. 
(c) Other Actions for Damages. . . . no change. 

Note: Adopted July 14, 1992 as Rule 1:40-6 to be effective September 1, 1992; amended and redesignated as Rule 1:40-7 July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; caption and text deleted, new caption and new paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) adopted July 12, 2002 to be effective September 3, 2002; paragraph (a) amended July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; paragraph (a) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 16 -
1:40-8. Mediation of Minor Disputes in Municipal Court Actions 
(a) Referral. A mediation notice may issue pursuant to [Rule] R. 7:8-1 requiring the parties to appear at a mediation session to determine whether mediation pursuant to these rules is an appropriate method for resolving the minor dispute. No referral to mediation shall be made if the complaint involves (1) serious injury, (2) repeated acts of violence between the parties, (3) clearly demonstrated psychological or emotional disability of a party, (4) incidents involving the same persons who are already parties to a Superior Court action between them, (5) matters arising under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 et seq.), [or] (6) a violation of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Code (Title 39), or (7) matters involving penalty enforcement actions
(b) Appointment of Mediators. A municipal court mediator shall be appointed by the Assignment Judge or a designee. The municipal mediator must comply with the requirements of 
R. 1:40-12. The Assignment Judge or a designee [who] may, either sua sponte or on request of the municipal court judge, remove a mediator upon the determination that the individual is unable [properly] to perform the mediator's functions. 

Note: Adopted July 14, 1992 as Rule 1:40-7 to be effective September 1, 1992; paragraph (a) amended January 5, 1998 to be effective February 1, 1998; redesignated as Rule 1:40-8, paragraph (a) amended, and caption and text of paragraph (b) amended July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 17 -
1:40-12. Mediators and Arbitrators in Court-Annexed Programs 
(a) Mediator Qualifications. 
(1) . . . no change. 
(2) . . . no change. 

(3) Civil, General Equity, and Probate Action Roster Mediators. Mediator applicants to be on the roster for civil, general equity, and probate actions shall have at least: (A) a bachelor’s degree; (B) five years of professional experience in the field of their expertise in which they will mediate; (C) completed the required mediation training as defined in subparagraph (b)(5) within the last five years; and (D) evidence of completed mediation of a minimum of two civil, general equity or probate cases within the last year. Applicants who had the required training over five years prior to their application to the roster must complete the six-hour family or civil supplemental mediation course as defined in subparagraph (b)(8) of this rule. [as well as either an advanced degree or an undergraduate degree, coupled in both cases with mediation experience. For purposes of this rule, an advanced degree means a juris doctor or equivalent; an advanced degree in business, finance, or accounting, an advanced degree in the field of expertise in which the applicant will practice mediation, for example, engineering, architecture, or mental health; or state licensure in the field of expertise, for example, certified public accountant, architect, or engineer. For purposes of this rule, mediation experience which, together with an advanced degree, will qualify an applicant means evidence of successful mediation of a minimum of two cases within the last year, provided however that mediation experience is waived if mediation training was completed within the last five years. For purposes of this rule, mediation experience which, together with an undergraduate degree, will 
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qualify an applicant means evidence of successful mediation of a minimum of ten cases involving subject matter otherwise cognizable in the Superior Court within the last five years.] 
(4) Special Civil Part Mediators/Settlors. In addition to [qualified neutrals] mediators on the civil roster, those judicial law clerks, court staff, and volunteers who have completed a course of mediation training approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts may mediate/settle Small Claims actions. In the discretion of the Assignment Judge, such persons may also mediate/settle landlord-tenant disputes and other Special Civil Part actions, provided that they complete additional substantive and procedural training in landlord-tenant law of at least three and one-half hours for law clerks and attorneys and at least seven hours for all others, with such training to be approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts. 
(5) . . . no change. 
(6) Family Part Economic Mediators. To be listed on the approved roster, mediators [Mediators] of economic issues in family disputes shall meet the applicable requirements [herein] set forth below for attorneys and non-attorneys and shall complete the required training set forth in paragraph (b) of this Rule: 
(i) Attorneys 
a. Juris Doctor (or equivalent law degree) 
b. Admission to the bar for at least seven years 
c. Licensed to practice law in the state of New Jersey 
d. Practice substantially devoted to matrimonial law 
(ii) Non-Attorneys 
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a. Advanced degree in psychology, psychiatry, social work, business, finance, or accounting, or a CPA or other relevant advanced degree deemed appropriate by the credentials committee, 
b. At least seven years of experience in the field of expertise, and 
c. Licensed in New Jersey if required in the field of expertise 

(iii) Any retired Superior Court judge with experience in handling dissolution matters. 
(b) Mediator Training Requirements. 
(1) General Provisions. All persons serving as mediators shall have completed the basic dispute resolution training course as prescribed by these rules and approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Volunteer mediators in the Special Civil Part and Municipal Court mediators shall have completed 18 classroom hours of basic mediation skills complying with the requirements of subparagraph (b)(3) of this rule. Mediators on the civil, general equity, and probate roster of the Superior Court shall have completed [18] 40 classroom hours of basic mediation skills complying with the requirements of subparagraph [(3)] (b)(5) of this rule and shall be mentored in at least two cases in the Law Division -Civil Part or Chancery Division - General Equity or Probate Part of the Superior Court for a minimum of five hours [being mentored] by [an experienced] a civil roster mentor mediator [on the roster] who has been approved in accordance with [guidelines] the "Guidelines for the Civil Mediation Mentoring Program" promulgated by the Administrative Office of the Courts [in at least two cases in the Superior Court. Individuals may obtain a waiver of the mentoring requirement from the Administrative Office of the Courts on the successful demonstration that they have previously served as a mediator in at least five cases under R. 1:40-4 or comparable mediation program or 
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have satisfactorily completed at least 10 hours in an approved advanced mediation course.] Family Part mediators shall have completed a 40 hour training program complying with the requirements of subparagraph (b)(4) of this rule[; and judicial] and, unless otherwise exempted in this rule, at least five hours being mentored by a family roster mentor mediator in at least two cases in the Family Part. In all cases it is the obligation of the mentor mediator to inform the litigants prior to mediation that a second mediator will be in attendance and why. If either party objects to the presence of the second mediator, the second mediator may not attend the mediation. In all cases, the mentor mediator conducts the mediation, while the second mediator observes. Mentored mediators are provided with the same protections as the primary mediator under the Uniform Mediation Act. Child welfare mediators and staff/law clerk mediators are exempted from the mentoring requirements except as required to do so for remedial reasons. Mediators already serving on the Civil mediator roster prior to September 1, 2015 are exempted from the updated training requirements. Family Roster mediators who wish to serve on the Civil Roster, must complete the six-hour supplemental Civil Mediation training and must comply with the Civil roster mentoring requirement of five hours and two cases in the Civil Part. Judicial law clerks shall have successfully completed 12 classroom hours of basic mediation skills complying with the requirements of subparagraph [(5)] (b)(6) of this rule. 
(2) Continuing Training. Commencing in the year following [the completion of the basic training course or the waiver thereof] admission to one of the court’s mediator rosters, all mediators shall annually attend four hours of continuing education and shall file with the Administrative Office of the Courts or the Assignment Judge, as appropriate, an annual certification of compliance. To meet the requirement, this continuing education shall include instruction in ethical issues associated with mediation practice, program guidelines and/or case 
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management and should cover at least one of the following: (A) case management skills; and (B) mediation and negotiation concepts and skills. [(A) reinforcing and enhancing mediation and negotiation concepts and skills, (B) other professional matters related to mediation. Mediators who have been approved to serve as mentors under subsection (b)(1) of this Rule may apply the time spent mentoring to satisfy this requirement.] 
(3) . . . no change. 
(4) Mediation Course Content -Family Part Actions. The 40-hour classroom course for family action mediators shall include basic mediation skills as well as at least 22 hours of specialized family mediation training, which should cover family and child development, family law, dissolution procedures, family finances, and community resources. In special circumstances and at the request of the Assignment Judge, the Administrative Office of the Courts may temporarily approve for a one-year period an applicant who has not yet completed the specialized family mediation training, provided the applicant has at least three years of experience as a mediator or a combination of mediation experience and service in the Family Part, has co-mediated in a CDR program with an experienced family mediator, and certifies to the intention to complete the specialized training within one year following the temporary approval. Economic mediators in family disputes [: (1)] shall have completed 40 hours of training in family mediation in accordance with this rule [, or (2) shall have completed a minimum of 25 hours of mediation training with a commitment to complete the remaining 15 hours of specialized training within one year following their addition to the roster of mediators consistent with the requirements of this subparagraph]. 
(5) Mediation Course Content - Civil, General Equity, and Probate Actions. The 40-hour classroom course for civil, general equity and probate action mediators shall include 
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basic and advanced mediation skills as well as specialized civil mediation training as approved by the Administrative Director of the Courts. 
[(5)] (6) Training Requirements for Judicial Law Clerks. Judicial law clerks serving as mediators shall first have completed either a 12-hour training course prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts, an approved course conducted by another institution or agency, or other comparable training. Proof of completion of any training other than the prescribed 12-hour course shall be submitted to the Administrative Office of the Courts for a determination of suitability. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall work with other institutions and agencies to encourage their provision of judicial law clerk mediation training and shall either approve or evaluate that training. 
[(6)] (7) Co-mediation; mentoring; training evaluation. In order to reinforce mediator training, the vicinage CDR coordinator shall, insofar as practical and for a reasonable period following initial training, assign any new mediator who is either an employee or a volunteer to co-mediate with an experienced mediator and shall assign an experienced mediator to mentor a new mediator. Using evaluation forms prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts, the vicinage CDR coordinator shall also evaluate the training needs of each new mediator during the first year of the mediator's qualifications and shall periodically assess the training needs of all mediators. 
(8) Mediation Course Content - Supplemental Mediation Training for Civil and Family Mediators. Applicants to the roster who have been trained in a 40-hour out-of-state mediation training or who took the 40-hour New Jersey mediation training more than five years prior to applying to the roster, and who otherwise qualify under this rule, must further attend a six-hour supplemental course approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts. There shall - 23 -
be two distinct supplemental courses, one for family mediators and one for civil mediators. The 
courses shall include, but are not limited to, training in facilitative methods, case management 
techniques, procedural requirements for an enforceable mediated settlement, NJ Rules and 
mediator ethics, Guidelines for Mediator Compensation (see Appendix XXVI to these Rules), 
the Uniform Mediation Act ( N.J.S.A. 2A:23C-1 to -13), and mediation case law. 
(c) Arbitrator Qualification and Training. . . . no change. 
(d) Training Program Evaluation. . . . no change. 

Note: Adopted July 14, 1992 as Rule 1:40-10 to be effective September 1, 1992; caption amended, former text redesignated as paragraphs (a) and (b), paragraphs (a)3.1 and (b)4.1 amended June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996; redesignated as Rule 1:40-12, caption amended and first sentence deleted, paragraph (a)1.1 amended and redesignated as paragraph (a)(1), paragraph (a)2.1 amended and redesignated as paragraph (a)(2), paragraph (a)2.2 amended and redesignated as paragraph (b)(5), new paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4) adopted, paragraph (a)3.1 redesignated as paragraph (a)(5), paragraph (a)3.2 amended and incorporated in paragraph (b)(1), paragraph (a)4.1 amended and redesignated as paragraph (b)(6), paragraph (b)1.1 amended and redesignated as paragraph (b)(1), paragraphs (b)2.1 and (b)3.1 amended and redesignated as paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3), paragraph (b)4.1 redesignated as paragraph (b)(4) with caption amended, paragraph (b)5.1 amended and redesignated as paragraph (b)(7) with caption amended, new section (c) adopted, and paragraph (b)5.1(d) amended and redesignated as new section (d) with caption amended July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; paragraphs (a)(3) and (b)(1) amended July 12, 2002 to be effective September 3, 2002; paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(3), and (c) amended July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; caption amended and paragraph (a)(4) caption and text amended June 15, 2007 to be effective September 1, 2007; new paragraph (a)(6) caption and text adopted, paragraph (b)(1) amended, paragraph (b)(2) deleted, paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) redesignated as paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3), paragraph (b)(5) amended and redesignated as paragraph (b)(4), and paragraphs (b)(6) and (b)(7) redesignated as paragraphs (b)(5) and (b)(6) July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; subparagraphs (b)(2) and (b)(4) amended July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011; subparagraph (a)(3) caption and text amended, subparagraphs (a)(4), (a)(6), (b)(1), (b)(2) and (b)(4) amended, former subparagraph (b)(5) redesignated as subparagraph (b)(6), former subparagraph (b)(6) redesignated as subparagraph (b)(7), new subparagraphs (b)(5) and (b)(8) adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 24 -
2:9-1. Control by Appellate Court of Proceedings Pending Appeal or Certification 
(a) Control Prior to Appellate Disposition. Except as otherwise provided by R. 2:9-3, 2:94 (bail), 2:9-5 (stay pending appeal), 2:9-7 and 3:21-10(d), the supervision and control of the proceedings on appeal or certification shall be in the appellate court from the time the appeal is taken or the notice of petition for certification filed. The trial court, however, shall have continuing jurisdiction to enforce judgments and orders pursuant to R. 1:10 and as otherwise provided. In addition, when an appeal is taken from an order compelling or denying arbitration, the trial court shall retain jurisdiction to address issues relating to claims and parties that remain in that court. When an appeal is taken from an order involving a child who has been placed in care by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, the trial court shall retain jurisdiction to conduct summary hearings in due course to address issues not the subject of the appeal relating to the child or the child's family. Unless the appeal concerns the permanency plan of the child, the trial court also shall retain jurisdiction to conduct hearings to address the permanency plan of the child. The appellate court may at any time entertain a motion for directions to the court or courts or agencies below or to modify or vacate any order made by such courts or agencies or by any judge below. 
(b) Proceedings on Remand to Tribunal of First Instance. . . . no change. 
(c) Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim in Appeals from Judgment Terminating Parental Rights. . . . no change. 

Note: Source -- R.R. 1:4-1 (first sentence), 1:10-6(a) (first and third sentences); paragraph (a) amended July 16, 1981 to be effective September 14, 1981; paragraph (a) amended November 1, 1985 to be effective January 2, 1986; new paragraph (c) adopted July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; paragraph (a) amended July 19, 2012 to be effective September 4, 2012; paragraph (a) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 25 -
3:5-7. Motion to suppress evidence and for return of property 
(a) Applicability; Notice; Time. On notice to the prosecutor of the county in which the matter is pending or threatened, to the applicant for the warrant if the search was with a warrant, and to co-indictees, if any, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of R. 1:6-3 and R. 3:10, a person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful search and seizure and having reasonable grounds to believe that the evidence obtained may be used against him or her in a penal proceeding, may apply to the Superior Court [only and] in the county in which the matter is pending or threatened to suppress the evidence and for the return of the property seized (1) without a warrant if the matter involves an indictable crime or (2) where the search warrant was issued by a Superior Court judge, even though the offense charged or to be charged may be within the jurisdiction of a municipal court. [Such] A motion filed in the Superior Court shall be made pursuant to R. 3:10-2. When an offense charged or to be charged is within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court, a motion to suppress evidence and for the return of property seized resulting from a search warrant issued by a Municipal Court judge or seized without a warrant shall be filed pursuant to R. 7:5-2. 
(b) Briefs. . . . no change. 
(c) Hearing. . . . no change. 
(d) Appellate Review. . . . no change. 
(e) Return of Property. . . . no change. 
(f) Consequences of Failure to Move. . . . no change. 
(g) Effect of Irregularity in Warrant. . . . no change. 

Note: Source - R.R. 3:2A-6(a)(b). Paragraph (a) amended, paragraphs (b), (c), (d) adopted and former paragraphs (b), (c), (d) redesignated as (e), (f), (g) respectively January 28, 1977 to be effective immediately; paragraphs (a) and (c) amended July 16, 1979 to be effective September - 26 -
10, 1979; paragraph (a) amended July 16, 1981 to be effective September 14, 1981; paragraph 
(a) amended June 9, 1989 to be effective June 19, 1989; paragraph (a) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective January 1, 1995; paragraph (a) amended January 5, 1998 to be effective February 1, 1998; paragraph (a) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015
- 27 -

3:10-3. Notice by the State -Expert Witness Testimony When Testifying Expert Did Not Participate in Underlying Tests [new] 
(a) Notice by the State. Whenever the State intends to call an expert witness to testify at trial and that expert witness did not conduct, supervise, or participate in a scientific or other such test about which he or she will testify, the State shall serve written notice upon the defendant and counsel of intent to call that witness, along with a proffer of such testimony, all reports pertaining to such testimony, and any underlying tests, at least 20 days before the pretrial proceeding begins, or at least 20 days before the pretrial conference. If extenuating circumstances exist, the state may file the notice after this deadline. For purposes of this rule the term “test” shall include any test, demonstration, forensic analysis or other type of expert examination. 
(b) Objection by the Defendant. If the defendant intends to object to the expert testimony, the defendant shall serve written notice upon the State of any objection within 10 days of receiving the State’s notice of intent. In the defendant’s notice of objection, he or she must specify the grounds for such objection, including any Confrontation Clause grounds under either the United States or New Jersey State Constitution. 
(c) Determination. Whenever a defendant files a notice of objection specifying the grounds for objection, the court shall decide admissibility of the testimony on the grounds alleged no later than seven days before the beginning of trial. 
(d) Failure to Comply With Time Limitations. The defendant’s failure to file a notice of objection within the timeframe required by this rule shall constitute a waiver of any objection to the admission of the expert testimony. The defendant’s failure to specify a particular ground for such objection shall constitute a waiver of any ground not specified. The State’s failure to file a notice of intent within the timeframe required by this rule shall for good cause shown extend the 
- 28 -

time for defendant to object pursuant to paragraph (b) and for the court to decide admissibility of the testimony pursuant to paragraph (c). In any event, the court may take such action as the interest of justice requires. 
(e) Time Limitations. The time limitations set forth in this rule shall not be relaxed except upon a showing of good cause. 

Note: Source -- R.R. 3:5-5(b)(2) (first sentence); former R. 3:10-3 amended and redesignated R. 3:10-2(d) July 13, 1994 to be effective January 1, 1995. New rule adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 29 -
3:13-3. Discovery and Inspection 
(a) Pre-Indictment Discovery. . . . no change. 
(b) Post Indictment Discovery. 

(1) Discovery by the Defendant. Except for good cause shown, the prosecutor's discovery for each defendant named in the indictment shall be delivered to the criminal division manager's office, or shall be available through the prosecutor's office, within seven days of the return or unsealing of the indictment. Good cause shall include, but is not limited to, circumstances in which the nature, format, manner of collation or volume of discoverable materials would involve an extraordinary expenditure of time and effort to copy. In such circumstances, the prosecutor may make discovery available by permitting defense counsel to inspect and copy or photograph discoverable materials at the prosecutor's office, rather than by copying and delivering such materials. The prosecutor shall also provide defense counsel with a listing of the materials that have been supplied in discovery. If any discoverable materials known to the prosecutor have not been supplied, the prosecutor shall also provide defense counsel with a listing of the materials that are missing and explain why they have not been supplied. 
If the defendant is represented by the public defender, defendant's attorney shall obtain a copy of the discovery from the prosecutor's office or the criminal division manager's office prior to, or at, the pre-arraignment conference. However, if the defendant has retained private counsel, upon written request of counsel submitted along with a copy of counsel's entry of appearance and received by the prosecutor's office prior to the date of the pre-arraignment conference, the prosecutor shall, within three business days, send the discovery to defense counsel either by U.S. mail at the defendant's cost or by e-mail without charge, with the manner of transmittal at the prosecutor's discretion. Defense counsel shall simultaneously send a copy of the request for mail - 30 -
or e-mail discovery, along with any request for waiver of the pre-arraignment conference under 
R. 3:9-1(a), to the criminal division manager's office. 
If the defendant is unrepresented at the prearraignment conference, a copy of the discovery shall be provided to defense counsel upon request as provided for in the preceding paragraph, or at the arraignment/status conference, which shall occur no later than 28 days after the return or unsealing of the indictment. 
A defendant who does not seek discovery from the State shall so notify the criminal division manager's office and the prosecutor, and the defendant need not provide discovery to the State pursuant to sections (b)(2) or (f), except as required by Rule 3:12-1 or otherwise required by law. 
Discovery shall include exculpatory information or material. It shall also include, but is not limited to, the following relevant material: 
(A) . . . no change. 
(B) . . . no change. 
(C) . . . no change. 
(D) . . . no change. 
(E) . . . no change. 
(F) . . . no change. 
(G) . . . no change. 
(H) . . . no change. 

(I) names and addresses of each person whom the prosecutor expects to call to trial as an expert witness, the expert's qualifications, the subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify, a copy of the report, if any, of such expert witness, or if no report is prepared, - 31 -
a statement of the facts and opinions to which the expert is expected to testify and a summary of 
the grounds for each opinion. Except as otherwise provided in R. 3:10-3, if [If] this information 
is not furnished 30 days in advance of trial, the expert witness may, upon application by the 
defendant, be barred from testifying at trial. 
(J) . . . no change. 
(2) Discovery by the State. . . . no change. 
Note: Source - R.R. 3:5-11(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h). Paragraphs (b)(c)(f) and (h) deleted; paragraph (a) amended and paragraphs (d)(e)(g) and (i) amended and redesignated June 29, 1973 to be effective September 10, 1973. Paragraph (b) amended July 17, 1975 to be effective September 8, 1975; paragraph (a) amended July 15, 1982 to be effective September 13, 1982; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 22, 1983 to be effective September 12, 1983; new paragraphs (a) and (b) added, former paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) amended and redesignated paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) respectively and former paragraph (e) deleted July 13, 1994 to be effective January 1, 1995; Rule redesignation of July 13, 1994 eliminated December 9, 1994, to be effective January 1, 1995; paragraphs (c)(6) and (d)(3) amended June 15, 2007 to be effective September 1, 2007; subparagraph (f)(1) amended July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011; new subparagraph (c)(10) adopted July 19, 2012 to be effective September 4, 2012; paragraph (a) amended, paragraph (b) text deleted, paragraph (c) amended and renumbered as paragraph (b)(1), paragraph (d) amended and renumbered as paragraph (b)(2), new paragraphs (b)(3) and (c) adopted, paragraphs (e) and (f) renumbered as paragraphs 
(d) and (e), paragraph (g) amended and renumbered as paragraph (f) December 4, 2012 to be effective January 1, 2013; paragraph (b)(1)(I) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 32 -
3:14-1. Venue An offense shall be prosecuted in the county in which it was committed, except that 
(a) . . . no change. 
(b) . . . no change. 
(c) . . . no change. 

(d) . . . no change. [(e) Prosecution for acts of treason against this State which were committed outside the jurisdiction of this State shall be had in any county designated by the Chief Justice.] [(f) Prosecutions for libel shall be had either in the county in which the publication was made or the county in which the libeled person resided at the time of the publication.] 
[(g)] (e) An accessory may be prosecuted as such either in the county in which the offense to which he or she is an accessory is triable or the county in which he or she became such accessory. 
[(h)] (f) Any person [who steals the property of another, outside this State, or receives such property knowing it to have been stolen, and brings it into this State,] charged with receiving stolen property may be prosecuted in any county [into or through] in which the stolen property is [brought] possessed
[(i)] (g) Prosecutions for acts of forgery, [embezzlement, conversion or misappropriation] fraud, theft by deception, or theft by unlawful disposition may be had either in the county in which such offense was committed or in the county in which the offender last resided. 
[(j)] (h) Prosecutions for [desertion] nonsupport may be had either in the county in which the [wife] spouse, statutory partner or any child resided at the time of the [desertion] nonsupport - 33 -
or in the county in which the [wife] spouse or statutory partner resides when the prosecution is 
begun. 
[(k)] (i) The county of venue for purposes of trial of indictments returned by a State 
Grand Jury shall be designated by the Assignment Judge appointed to impanel and supervise the 
State Grand Jury or Grand Juries pursuant to R. 3:6-11(b). 
Note: Source-R.R. 3:6-1; paragraph (k) adopted July 17, 1975 to be effective September 8, 1975; paragraph (g) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; paragraphs (e) and (f) deleted, former paragraph (g) redesignated as paragraph (e), former paragraph (h) amended and redesignated as paragraph (f), former paragraph (i) amended and redesignated as paragraph (g), former paragraph (j) amended and redesignated as paragraph (h), and former paragraph (k) redesignated as paragraph (i) July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 34 -
3:21-11. Motion to Vacate Certain Convictions [new] 
(a) Motion for Relief. In accordance with the time frame in paragraph (b) of this rule, a person convicted of N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1, prostitution and related offenses; or N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1.1, loitering for the purpose of engaging in prostitution; or a similar local ordinance may file a motion with the Superior Court in the county where the conviction occurred, to vacate the conviction and contemporaneously expunge any reference to the person's arrest, conviction, and any proceeding for prostitution, when the person's participation in the offense was a result of having been a victim of human trafficking pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:13-8 or as defined in 22 
U.S.C. 7102(14). 
(b) Time. Following the entry of a judgment of conviction, a motion shall be made and heard within a reasonable time after the applicant has ceased to be a victim of human trafficking or has sought services for being a victim of human trafficking, whichever occurs later, subject to reasonable concerns for the safety of the applicant, family members of the applicant, or other victims of human trafficking that may be jeopardized by the bringing of the motion, or for other reasons consistent with this rule. 
(c) Notice. The notice of motion, together with a copy of all supporting documents, shall be served by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, upon the Attorney General; the county prosecutor of the county where the court is located; the Superintendent of State Police; the chief of police or other executive head of the police department of the municipality where the offense was committed; the chief law enforcement officer of any other law enforcement agency of this State that participated in the arrest of the applicant; the superintendent or warden of any institution in which the applicant was confined; and, if a disposition was made in municipal 
- 35 -
court, upon the judge of that court. A noticed party may make an appearance or file a submission responding to the motion. 
(d) Contents of Motion; Certification; Procedure. 
(1) Contents of Motion. The motion shall set forth the following information: a notice of motion; the movant’s certification setting forth the claim, along with a description of all of the evidence included; the movant’s certification of victimization; packet of evidence documenting the applicant’s status as a victim of human trafficking at the time of the offense; the date, docket number, and content of the complaint, indictment or accusation upon which the conviction was based and the county where filed; the date and content of the sentence or judgment complained of and the name of the presiding judge; consent to vacate the conviction and expunge any reference to the applicant’s arrest, conviction, and any proceeding for prostitution from the prosecutor where the offense occurred, if such consent has been obtained; form of order to vacate the conviction and expunge records; and proof of service upon the parties. Evidence documenting the applicant’s status as a victim of human trafficking at the time of the offense may include, but not be limited to: 
(A) certified records of federal or State court proceedings which demonstrate that the applicant was a victim of a trafficker charged with a human trafficking offense under 

N.J.S.A. 2C:13-8 or chapter 77 of Title 18 of the United States Code; 
(B) certified records of approval notices or law enforcement certifications generated from a federal immigration proceeding available to victims of human trafficking; 
(C) testimony or a sworn statement from a trained professional staff member of a victim services organization, an attorney, a member of the clergy or a health care or other 
- 36 -
professional from whom the applicant has sought assistance in addressing the trauma associated with being a victim of human trafficking; or 
(D) any other evidence that the court deems appropriate. 
(2) Certification; Hearing. Any factual assertion that provides the predicate for a claim of relief must be made by an affidavit or certification pursuant to Rule 1:4-4 and based upon personal knowledge of the declarant. A hearing need not be conducted on the motion, unless the court, after review of the material submitted, concludes that a hearing is required in the interest of justice. 
(e) Order. The court may vacate a conviction pursuant to this rule upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that the applicant was a victim of human trafficking pursuant to 

N.J.S.A. 2C:13-8 or as defined in 22 U.S.C. 7102(14) at the time of the offense, and that the violation was a result of the applicant having been a victim of human trafficking. If the court finds that the applicant was a victim of human trafficking it shall enter an order vacating the conviction and directing that all court records be revised accordingly, and requiring that any court, law enforcement, correctional agencies, and other parties noticed pursuant to this rule expunge all references to the applicant's arrest, conviction, and related proceedings for the violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1, prostitution and related offenses; or N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1.1, loitering for the purpose of engaging in prostitution; or a similar local ordinance from all records in their custody that relate to the vacated conviction. 
(f) Expungement. Nothing herein shall prohibit a person from seeking an expungement pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:52-1 to -32. 
Note: Adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 37 -
3:26-2. Authority to Set Bail 
(a) Authority to Set Initial Bail. A Superior Court judge may set bail for a person charged with any offense. Bail for any offense except murder, kidnapping, manslaughter, aggravated manslaughter, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, a person arrested in any extradition proceeding or a person arrested for a fourth-degree contempt offense under N.J.S.A. 2C:29-9(b) for violating a domestic violence restraining order may be set by any other judge, or in the absence of a judge, by a municipal court administrator or deputy court administrator. 
(b) Initial Bail Set. . . . no change. 
(c) Review of Initial Set. . . . no change. 
(d) Bail Reductions. . . . no change. 

Note: Source-R.R. 3:9-3(a) (b) (c); amended July 24, 1978 to be effective September 11, 1978; amended May 21, 1979 to be effective June 1, 1979; amended August 28, 1979 to be effective September 1, 1979; amended July 26, 1984 to be effective September 10, 1984; caption amended, former text amended and redesignated paragraph (a) and new paragraphs (b), (c) and 
(d) adopted July 13, 1994 to be effective January 1, 1995; paragraph (b) amended January 5, 1998 to be effective February 1, 1998; paragraph (d) amended July 9, 2013 to be effective September 1, 2013; paragraph (a) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 38 -
4:21A-1. Actions Subject to Arbitration; Notice and Scheduling of Arbitration 
(a) Mandatory Arbitration. . . . no change. 
(b) Voluntary Arbitration. . . . no change. 
(c) Removal From Arbitration. . . . no change. 
(d) Notice of Arbitration; Scheduling; Adjournment. . . . no change. 
(e) Pretrial Discovery. . . . no change. 
(f) Arbitration in Family Part Matters. Arbitration in Family Part matters shall be 

governed by R. 5:1-5. 
Note: Adopted November 1, 1985 to be effective January 2, 1986; paragraph (c) amended November 5, 1986 to be effective January 1, 1987; caption amended and former paragraph (a) redesignated paragraph (a)(1) and new paragraph (a)(2) adopted, paragraphs (b) and (c)(1) and 
(2) amended November 7, 1988 to be effective January 2, 1989; paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) and (c)(1) and (2) amended July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; paragraphs (a)(2) and (c)(1) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; paragraphs (b) and (d) amended July 10, 1998 to be effective September 1, 1998; new text added to paragraph (a), paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) amended, new paragraph (a)(3) adopted, and paragraphs (c) and (d) amended July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; corrective amendment to paragraph (d) adopted October 10, 2000 to be effective immediately; caption to R. 4:21A amended, and text of paragraph (a) of R. 4:21A-1 amended July 12, 2002 to be effective September 3, 2002; paragraphs (a) and (c)(1) amended July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; subparagraph (a)(2) amended July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006; new paragraph (f) caption and text adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 39 -
4:59-1. Execution 
(a) In General. . . . no change. 
(b) Contents of Writs of Execution and Other Process for the Enforcement of Judgments. . . . no change. 
(c) Execution to Enforce a Court Order for the Support of Dependents. Income withholding to enforce a judgment or order for the periodic payment of alimony or child support shall be governed by R. [5:7-5(b), (c) and (d)] 5:7-4A(a), (b) and (c). The Presiding Judge of the Family Division in each vicinage may issue a standing or special order authorizing the Probation Division to execute on cash or cash-equivalent assets, as defined herein, to collect child support or alimony judgments payable through the Probation Division, and directing that writs of execution to collect past-due child support or alimony be served on the holder of such assets by the Probation Division. In vicinages where such an order is issued, an execution to enforce an alimony or child support judgment against cash or cash-equivalent assets shall be governed by R. 5:7-5[(e)](b) and the Vicinage Chief Probation Officer shall be designated Deputy Clerk of the Superior Court for the limited purpose of certifying writs of execution for alimony or child support judgments payable through the Probation Division. Cash or cash-equivalent assets include bank accounts, retirement accounts, trusts, insurance proceeds, net monetary awards and settlements from civil lawsuits, non-court settlements, proceeds from estates, investments, commissions, bonuses and any other asset from which funds are readily available without the need for seizure, inventory or public sale. 
(d) Order of Property Subject to Execution; Required Motion. . . . no change. 
(e) Wage Executions; Notice, Order, Hearing. . . . no change. 
(f) Supplementary Proceedings. . . . no change. 
- 40 -

(g) Sheriff's Costs. . . . no change. 
(h) Notice to Debtor. . . . no change. 
(i) Forms. . . . no change. 

Note: Source — R.R. 4:74-1, 4:74-2, 4:74-3, 4:74-4. Paragraph (c) amended November 17, 1970 effective immediately; paragraph (d) amended July 17, 1975 to be effective September 8, 1975; paragraph (a) amended, new paragraph (b) adopted and former paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) redesignated (c), (d), (e) and (f) respectively, July 24, 1978 to be effective September 11, 1978; paragraph (b) amended July 21, 1980 to be effective September 8, 1980; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 15, 1982 to be effective September 13, 1982; paragraph (d) amended July 22, 1983 to be effective September 12, 1983; paragraph (b) amended and paragraph (g) adopted November 1, 1985 to be effective January 2, 1986; paragraph (d) amended June 29, 1990 to be effective September 4, 1990; paragraph (e) amended July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; paragraphs (a), (c), (e), (f), and (g) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; paragraph (b) amended June 28, 1996 to be effective June 28, 1996; paragraph (d) amended June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996; paragraph (e) amended July 10, 1998 to be effective September 1, 1998; paragraphs (a), (e), and (g) amended July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; paragraph (d) amended July 12, 2002 to be effective September 3, 2002; paragraph (d) amended July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; paragraphs (a) and (d) amended, and new paragraph (h) adopted July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006; paragraphs (a) and (f) amended July 9, 2008 to be effective September 1, 2008; paragraph 
(c) redesignated as subparagraph (c)(2), new paragraph (c) caption adopted, new subparagraph (c)(1) caption and text adopted, and paragraph (g) amended July 23, 2010 to be effective September 1, 2010; paragraph (a) amended, former paragraphs (b) through (h) redesignated as paragraphs (c) through (i), new paragraph (b) adopted, redesignated paragraph (h) amended, and caption added to redesignated paragraph (i) July 19, 2012 to be effective September 4, 2012; paragraph (i) amended July 22, 2014 to be effective September 1, 2014; paragraph (c) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015
- 41 -

Rule 5:1-4. Differentiated Case Management in Civil Family Actions 
(a) Case Management Tracks; Standards for Assignment. Except for summary actions, every civil family action shall be assigned, subject to reassignment as provided by paragraph (c) of this rule, to one of the following tracks: 
(1) Priority Track. . . . no change. 
(2) Complex Track. . . . no change. 
(3) Expedited Track. . . . no change. 
(4) Standard Track. Any action not qualifying for assignment to the Priority Track, Complex Track, [or] Expedited Track, or Arbitration Track shall be assigned to the Standard Track. 
(5) Arbitration Track. At any point in a proceeding, the parties may agree to execute a Consent Order or Agreement to arbitrate or resolve the issues pending before the court pursuant to the Uniform Arbitration Act, N.J.S.A. 2A: 23B-1, et seq., the New Jersey Alternative Procedure for Dispute Resolution Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-1, et seq., or any other agreed upon framework for arbitration of disputes between and among parties to any proceeding arising from a family or family-type relationship except as provided in R. 5:1-5(a)(1). If the parties elect to arbitrate, the litigation shall be assigned to the Arbitration Track, and the arbitration shall proceed pursuant to R. 5:1-5. Issues not resolved in the arbitration shall be addressed in a separate mediation process or by the court after the disposition of the arbitration. 
(b) Procedure for Track Assignment. The Family Presiding Judge or a judge designated by the Family Presiding Judge shall make the track assignment as soon as practicable after all parties have filed Family Case Information Statements required by R. 5:5-2 or after the case management conference required by R. 5:5-7, whichever is earlier. The track assignment
- 42 -

however, shall not [shall not, however] precede the filing of the first responsive pleading in the action. In making the track assignment, due consideration shall be given to an attorney's request for track assignment. If all the attorneys agree on a track assignment, the case shall not be assigned to a different track except for good cause shown and after giving all attorneys the opportunity to be heard, in writing or orally. The good cause exception shall not apply to a case assigned to the Arbitration Track. If it is not clear from an examination of the information provided by the parties which track assignment is most appropriate, the case shall be assigned to a track other than the Arbitration Track that affords the greatest degree of management. The parties shall be advised promptly by the court of the track assignment. 
(c) Track Reassignment. Except with respect to assignment to the Arbitration Track, an [An] action may be reassigned to a track other than that specified in the original notice to the parties either on the court's own motion or on application of a party. Unless the court otherwise directs, such application may be made informally to the Family Presiding Judge or to a judge designated by the Family Presiding Judge and shall state with specificity the reasons therefor. An action assigned to the Arbitration Track may be reassigned to the track assignment most appropriate if the parties mutually elect to opt out of the Arbitration Track by Consent Order or Agreement. 

Note: Adopted January 21, 1999 to be effective April 5, 1999; paragraph (b) amended August 1, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006; subparagraph (a)(3) amended July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011; subparagraph (a)(4) amended, new subparagraph (a)(5) adopted, and paragraphs (b) and (c) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 43 -
5:1-5. Arbitration [new] 
(a) Scope of Rule. This Rule applies to all Agreements to Arbitrate ("Agreements") and all Consent Orders to Arbitrate ("Consent Orders"), including but not limited to those entered into pursuant to the Uniform Arbitration Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:23B-1 et seq., the New Jersey Alternative Procedure for Dispute Resolution Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-1 et seq., or any other agreed upon framework for arbitration or resolution of disputes between and among parties to any proceeding heard in the family part, except: (A) the entry of the final judgment of annulment or dissolution of relationship; (B) actions involving the Division of Child Protection and Permanency; (C) domestic violence actions; (D) juvenile delinquency actions; (E) family crisis actions; and (F) adoption actions, which may not be arbitrated. 
(b) Prerequisites. 
(1) Arbitration Questionnaire. Prior to the execution of any Agreement or entry of a Consent Order, each party shall review and execute the Arbitration Questionnaire, which is set forth in Appendix XXIX-A, and each party's questionnaire shall be attached to the Agreement or Consent Order. 
(2) Agreement or Consent Order. 
(A) Insofar as an Agreement or Consent Order relates to a pending family proceeding, the Agreement or Consent Order shall state: 
(i) the parties understand their entitlement to a judicial adjudication of their dispute and are willing to waive that right; 
(ii) the parties are aware of the limited circumstances under which a challenge to the award may be advanced and agree to those limitations; 
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(iii) the parties have had sufficient time to consider the implications of their decision to arbitrate; and 
(iv) the parties have entered into the Agreement or Consent Order freely and voluntarily, after due consideration of the consequences of doing so. 
(B) In addition, in all family proceedings involving child-custody and parenting-time issues, the Agreement or Consent Order shall provide that: 
(i) a record of all documentary evidence shall be kept; 
(ii) all testimony shall be recorded verbatim; and 

(iii) the award shall state, in writing, findings of fact and conclusions of law with a focus on the best-interests of the child standard. 
(C) Further, in all family proceedings involving child support issues, the Agreement or Consent Order shall provide that the award shall state, in writing, findings of fact and conclusions of law with a focus on the best-interests standard, and consistent with R. 5:6A and Rules Appendix IX. 
(D) Appendix XXIX-B is a template form of agreement to arbitrate pursuant to 
N.J.S.A. 2A:23B-1 et seq. 
(E) Appendix XXIX-C is a template form of agreement to resolve disputes pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A: 23A-1 et seq. 
(F) Appendix XXIX-D is a form arbitrator/umpire disclosure. 
(3) Certification. If the parties have entered into an Agreement or Consent Order to arbitrate or an arbitration award has issued, the certification filed pursuant to R. 4:5-1(b)(2) shall so state. 
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(c) Arbitration Track. Any action pending at the time that an Agreement or Consent Order to arbitrate is reached shall be placed on the Arbitration Track referenced in R. 5:1-4 for no more than one year following Arbitration Track assignment, which term may be extended by the court for good cause shown. Cases assigned to the Arbitration Track should be given scheduling consideration when fixing court appearances in other matters. 

Note: Adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 46 -
5:3-2. Closed hearings; record 
(a) Hearings on Welfare or Status of a Child. Except as otherwise provided by rule or statute requiring full or partial in camera proceedings, the court, in its discretion, may on its own or party's motion direct that any proceeding or severable part thereof involving the welfare or status of a child be conducted in private. In the child's best interests, the court may further order that a child not be present at a hearing or trial unless the testimony, which may be taken privately in chambers or under such protective orders as the court may provide, is necessary for the determination of the matter. In matters brought by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, the court shall accommodate the rights of the child as provided by N.J.S.A. 30:4C61.2, prior to entering a permanency order. A verbatim record shall, however, be made of all in camera proceedings, including in-chamber testimony by or interrogation of a child. 
(b) Sealing of Records. . . . no change. 
Note: Source-R.R. (1969) 5:5-1(b). Adopted December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; paragraph (a) amended June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996; paragraph (a) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 47 -
5:3-8. Review and Enforcement of Arbitration Awards [new] 
(a) Confirmation of Final or Interim Economic Awards. Except for child support awards that are governed by paragraph (c), either party may apply to the court by motion, the return date for which may be shortened by the court pursuant to R. 1:6-3(a), or summarily pursuant to R. 5:4-1 if no other family action is pending, to confirm a final or interim arbitration award. The court shall confirm and enter a judgment in conformity with the final award of the arbitrator, or confirm and enter a pendente lite order in conformity with an interim award of the arbitrator, unless the court determines to correct, modify or vacate the final or interim arbitration award pursuant to the procedures and standards set forth in the Uniform Arbitration Act, N.J.S.A. 2A: 23B-23 or 24 (unless the parties have expanded the scope of review under N.J.S.A. 2A:23B4(c)); the New Jersey Alternative Procedure for Dispute Resolution Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-13 or 14; any other applicable statute; or any other agreed upon framework. 
(b) Confirmation of Final or Interim Custody and Parenting Time Awards. Either party may apply to the court by motion, the return date for which may be shortened by the court pursuant to R. 1:6-3(a), or summarily pursuant to R. 5:4-1 if no other family action is pending, to confirm a final or interim child custody and parenting time arbitration award. The court shall confirm and enter a judgment in conformity with the final custody and parenting time award of the arbitrator, or confirm and enter a pendente lite order in conformity with an interim custody and parenting time award of the arbitrator unless the court finds that: 
(1) a record of all documentary evidence has not been kept; or 
(2) the award does not contain detailed written findings of fact and conclusions of law; or 
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(3) that a verbatim record of the proceedings was not made, in which case any interim or final award shall be subject to vacation and review de novo by the court; or 
(4) there is evidential support establishing a prima facie case of harm to a child, in which event the court shall conduct a hearing and if, after that hearing, there is a finding of harm to a child, the parties’ choice of arbitration shall be invalidated, the court shall vacate the interim or final award and determine de novo the child’s best interest. If there is no finding of harm to a child, the court shall confirm and enter a judgment in conformity with the final award of the arbitrator, or confirm and enter a pendente lite order in conformity with an interim award of the arbitrator, unless the court determines to correct, modify or vacate the final or interim arbitration award pursuant to the procedures and standards set forth in the Uniform Arbitration Act, N.J.S.A. 2A: 23B-23 or 24 (unless the parties have expanded the scope of review under 

2A:23B-4(c)); the New Jersey Alternative Procedure for Dispute Resolution Act, 
2A:23A-13 or 14; any other applicable statute; or any other agreed upon framework. 

(c) Confirmation of Final or Interim Child Support Awards. 
Either party may apply to the court by motion, the return date for which may be shortened by the court pursuant to R. 1:6-3(a), or summarily pursuant to R. 5:4-1 if no other family action is pending, to confirm a final or interim child support arbitration award. The court shall confirm and enter a judgment in conformity with the final child support arbitration award of the arbitrator, or confirm and enter a pendente lite order in conformity with an interim child support award of the arbitrator unless the court finds that there is evidential support establishing a prima facie case of harm to a child, in which event the court shall conduct a hearing and if, after that hearing, there is a finding of harm to a child, the parties' choice of arbitration shall be invalidated, the court shall vacate the interim or final award and determine de novo the child’s - 49 -
best interest. If there is no finding of harm to a child, the court shall confirm and enter a judgment in conformity with the final award of the arbitrator, or confirm and enter a pendente lite order in conformity with an interim award of the arbitrator, unless the court determines to correct, modify or vacate the final or interim arbitration award pursuant to the procedures and standards set forth in the Uniform Arbitration Act, N.J.S.A. 2A: 23B-23 or 24 (unless the parties have expanded the scope of review under N.J.S.A. 2A:23B-4(c)); the New Jersey Alternative Procedure for Dispute Resolution Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:23A-13 or 14; any other applicable statute; or any other agreed upon framework. 
Note: Adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 50 -
5:4-2. Complaint 
(a) Complaint Generally. 
(1) Caption. . . . no change. 
(2) Contents. Every complaint in a family part action, in addition to the special requirements prescribed by these rules for specific family actions shall also include a statement of the essential facts constituting the basis of the relief sought, the statute or statutes, if any, relied on by the plaintiff, the street address or, if none, the post office address of each party, or a statement that such address is not known; a statement of any previous family actions between the parties; and, if not otherwise stated, the facts upon which venue is based. 
In any action involving the welfare or status of a child, the complaint shall include the child's name, address, the date of birth, and a statement of where and with whom the child resides. 
[In any non-dissolution action involving the support of a child in which paternity was previously acknowledged by the parents, a copy of the Certificate of Parentage or other written acknowledgment of paternity shall be filed with the complaint for support.] 
(b) Corespondent. . . . no change. 
(c) Affidavit of Verification and Non-Collusion. . . . no change. 
(d) Counterclaim. . . . no change. 

(e) Amended or Supplemental Complaint or Counterclaim in Dissolution Matters. In any action for divorce, dissolution of civil union, termination of domestic partnership, nullity, or separate maintenance, a supplemental complaint or counterclaim may be allowed to set forth a cause of action which has arisen or become known since the filing of the original complaint, and - 51 -
an amended complaint or counterclaim may be allowed to change the action from the originally pleaded cause to any other cognizable family or family type action. 
(f) Affidavit or Certification of Insurance Coverage. . . . no change. 
(g) Confidential Litigant Information Sheet. . . . no change. 

(h) Affidavit or Certification of Notification of Complementary Dispute Resolution Alternatives. The first pleading of each party shall have annexed thereto an affidavit or certification in the form prescribed in Appendix XXVII-A or XXVII-B of these rules that the litigant has been informed of the availability of complementary dispute resolution ("CDR") alternatives to conventional litigation, including but not limited to mediation, [or] arbitration, and collaborative law (New Jersey Family Collaborative Law Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:23D-1 through -18), and that the litigant has received descriptive material regarding such CDR alternatives. 
(i) Complaint in Non-Dissolution Matters. Non-dissolution actions shall commence with the filing of a verified complaint/counterclaim form promulgated by the Administrative Director of the Courts, except that attorneys may file a non-conforming complaint, which must have appended to it a completed supplement promulgated by the Administrative Director of the Courts. 

In any action involving the welfare or status of a child, the complaint shall include the child's name, address, the date of birth, and a statement of where and with whom the child resides. 
In any non-dissolution action involving the support of a child in which paternity was previously acknowledged by the parents, a copy of the Certificate of Parentage or other written acknowledgment of paternity shall be filed with the complaint for support. - 52 -
(j) Designation of Complex Non-Dissolution Matters. In any non-dissolution action, any 
party or attorney seeking to designate a case as complex may submit that request in a verified 
complaint/counterclaim form promulgated by the Administrative Director of the Courts or in 
writing to the court prior to the first hearing. The procedure for the assignment of non-dissolution 
matters to the complex track is set forth in R. 5:5-7(c). 
Note: Source-R. (1969) 4:77-1(a)(b)(c)(d), 4:77-2, 4:77-3, 4:77-4, 4:78-3, 5:4-1(a) (first two sentences). Adopted December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; paragraph (b)(2) amended November 5, 1986 to be effective January 1, 1987; paragraphs (a)(2) and (d) amended November 2, 1987 to be effective January 1, 1988; paragraphs (b)(2) and (c) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; paragraph (a)(2) amended July 10, 1998 to be effective September 1, 1998; new paragraph (f) adopted January 21, 1999 to be effective April 5, 1999; paragraph (f) caption and text amended July 12, 2002 to be effective September 3, 2002; new paragraph (g) adopted July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; new paragraph (h) adopted July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006; paragraph (h) amended October 10, 2006 to be effective immediately; paragraph (g) amended June 15, 2007 to be effective September 1, 2007; paragraphs (g) and (h) amended July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) amended July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011; paragraph (g) amended July 9, 2013 to be effective September 1, 2013; subparagraph (a)(2) amended, paragraph (e) caption amended, paragraph (h) amended, and paragraphs (i) and 
(j) adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015
- 53 -

5:5-4. Motions in Family Actions 
(a) Motions. Motions in family actions shall be governed by R. 1:6-2(b) except that, in exercising its discretion as to the mode and scheduling of disposition of motions, the court shall ordinarily grant requests for oral argument on substantive and non-routine discovery motions and ordinarily deny requests for oral argument on calendar and routine discovery motions. When a motion is [brought] filed for enforcement or modification of a prior order or judgment, a copy of the order or judgment sought to be enforced or modified shall be appended to the pleading filed in support of the motion. When a motion or cross-motion is [brought] filed to establish alimony or child support [for the entry or modification of any order or judgment for alimony or child support based on changed circumstances], the [pleading] pleadings filed in support of, or in opposition to the motion, shall [have appended to it a copy of the prior case information statement or statements filed before entry of the order or judgment to be modified and] include a copy of a current case information statement. In the event a motion or cross-motion is filed to modify an obligation for alimony or child support based on changed circumstances, the movant shall append copies of the movant's current case information statement and the movant's case information statement previously executed or filed in connection with the order, judgment or agreement sought to be modified. [The pleading filed in opposition to entry of such an order shall have appended to it a copy of all prior case information statements.] If [the party seeking the alimony or child support] the court concludes either that the party seeking relief has demonstrated a prima facie showing of a substantial change of circumstances or that there is other good cause, then the court will order the [other] opposing party to file a copy of a current case information statement. 
(b) Page Limits. . . . no change. 
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(c) Time for Service and Filing. . . . no change. 
(d) Advance Notice. . . . no change. 
(e) Tentative Decisions. . . . no change. 
(f) Orders on Family Part Motions. . . . no change. 
(g) Exhibits. . . . no change. 

Note: Source-R.(1969) 4:77-1(a)(b)(c)(d), 4:77-2, 4:77-3, 4:77-4, 4:78-3, 5:4-1(a) (first two sentences). Adopted December 20 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; paragraph (b)(2) amended November 5, 1986 to be effective January 1, 1987; paragraphs (a)(2) and (d) amended November 2, 1987 to be effective January 1, 1988; paragraphs(b)(2) and (c) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; paragraph (a)(2) amended July 10, 1998 to be effective September 1, 1998; new paragraph (f) adopted January 21, 1999 to be effective April 5, 1999; paragraph (f) caption and text amended July 12, 2002 to be effective September 3, 2002; new paragraph (g) adopted July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; new paragraph (h) adopted July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006; paragraph (h) amended October 10, 2006 to be effective immediately; paragraph (g) amended June 15, 2007 to be effective September 1, 2007; paragraphs (g) and (h) amended July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; paragraphs (c), (d), (e) (f) and (g) amended July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011 paragraph (g) amended July 9, 2013 to be effective September 1, 2013; paragraph (a) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 55 -
5:5-6. Participation in Mandatory Post-ESP Mediation or in a Mandatory Post-ESP Complementary Dispute Resolution Event 
(a) Mandatory Post-ESP Events. . . . no change. 
(b) Mandatory Two Hour Minimum Participation. Unless good cause is shown why a particular matter should not be referred to this post-ESP program, litigants shall be required to participate in the program for no more than two hours, consisting of one hour of preparation time by the mediator or other individual conducting the alternate CDR event and one hour of time for the mediation or other CDR event. As provided in R. 1:40-4(b), litigants selecting a mediator from the statewide approved list of mediators [The litigants] will not be charged a fee for the mandatory first two hours of mediation. This provision does not apply when the litigants select an individual not on the statewide approved list of mediators. Participation after the first two hours shall be voluntary. 
(c) Allocation of Fees After Two Hour Minimum. . . . no change. 
Note: Adopted July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006; former text amended and allocated into paragraphs (a) and (b), captions to paragraphs (a) and (b) adopted, and new paragraph (c) caption and text adopted July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; caption amended, paragraph (a) caption and text amended, and paragraphs (b) and (c) amended July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011; paragraph (b) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 56 -
5:5-7. Case Management Conferences in Civil Family Actions 
(a) Dissolution Priority and Complex Actions. In civil family actions assigned to the priority or complex track, an initial case management conference, which may be by telephone, shall be held within 30 days after the expiration of the time for the last permissible responsive pleading or as soon thereafter as is practicable considering, among other factors, the number of parties, if any, added or impleaded. Following the conference, the court shall enter an initial case management order fixing a schedule for initial discovery; requiring other parties to be joined, if necessary; narrowing the issues in dispute, if possible; and scheduling a second case management conference to be held after the close of the initial discovery period. The second case management order shall, among its other determinations, fix a firm trial date. 
(b) Dissolution Standard and Expedited Cases. In civil family actions assigned to the standard or expedited track, a case management conference, which may be by telephone, shall be held within 30 days after the expiration of the time for the last permissible responsive pleading. The attorneys actually responsible for the prosecution and defense of the case shall participate in the case management conference and the parties shall be available in person or by telephone. Following the conference, the court shall enter a case management order fixing a discovery schedule and a firm trial date. Additional case management conferences may be held in the court's discretion and for good cause shown on its motion or a party's request. 
(c) Non-Dissolution Actions. While non-dissolution actions are presumed to be summary and non-complex, at the first hearing following the filing of a non-dissolution application, the court, on oral application by a party or an attorney for a party, shall determine whether the case should be placed on a complex track. The court, in its discretion, also may make such a determination without an application from the parties. The complex track shall be reserved for 
- 57 -
only exceptional cases that cannot be heard in a summary matter. The court may assign the case to the complex track based only on a specific finding that discovery, expert evaluations, extended trial time or another material complexity requires such an assignment. Applications for a complex track assignment made after the initial hearing may be considered upon presentation of exceptional circumstances. If the court deems a non-dissolution case to be appropriate for the complex track at the first hearing, an initial case management conference shall be held at that time, and a case management order shall be issued detailing the reasons that the case is deemed complex. The court shall enter an order fixing a schedule for discovery, narrowing the issues in dispute, appointing experts, ordering necessary reports from probation or third parties, scheduling mediation (where appropriate), fixing a trial date, scheduling a second case management conference to fix a trial date, or addressing any other relief the court may deem appropriate. At the first case management conference, the court shall address any pendente lite relief requested, identify and schedule any anticipated applications and/or schedule another hearing to address any requested relief. At the second case management conference, the court shall fix a trial date, address any stipulations between the parties, address anticipated applications, address the completion of discovery or expert or third party reports, narrow the issues, schedule mediation and fix the time for the filing of briefs and pre-marked documents. 
Note: Adopted as R. 5:5-6 November 5, 1986 to be effective January 1, 1987; full text deleted and new paragraphs (a) and (b) adopted January 21, 1999 to be effective April 5, 1999; redesignated as R. 5:5 -7 July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006; paragraphs (a) and (b) captions amended, and new paragraph (c) caption and text adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 58 -
5:6-1. When and by Whom Filed 
Except for UIFSA proceedings pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:4-30.65 [through 2A:4-30.123] to -30.123, a summary action for support may be brought by either the party entitled thereto, [or] an assistance agency or a party seeking to establish that party's support obligation provided no other family action is pending in which the issue of support has been or could be raised. 
Note: Source – new. Adopted December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; amended November 1, 1985 to be effective January 2, 1986; amended May 25, 1999 to be effective July 1, 1999; amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 59 -
5:7-4. Orders Establishing Alimony and Child Support Obligations [Payments] 
(a) Allocation of Support. . . . no change. 
(b) Cases Enforced [Payments Administered] by the Probation Division. Enforcement of child support orders shall presumptively be in the county in which the child support order is first established (county of venue), unless the court orders the case transferred for cause. In cases where venue of a support case is transferred, Probation supervision of the case shall concurrently be transferred to the county of venue, unless the court otherwise orders for cause. The responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the judgment or order, including the transfer of responsibility, shall be governed by the policies established by the Administrative Director of the Courts. Alimony, maintenance, or child support payments not presently administered by the Probation Division shall be so made on application of either party to the court unless the other party, on application to the court, shows good cause to the contrary. In non-dissolution support proceedings, the court shall record its decision using the Uniform Order for Summary Support promulgated by the Administrative Director of the Courts. On the signing of any order that includes alimony, maintenance, child support, or medical support provisions to be administered by the Probation Division, the court shall, immediately after the hearing, send to the appropriate judicial staff one copy of the order which shall include a Confidential Litigant Information Sheet in the form prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts prepared by the parties or their attorneys providing the names, dates of birth, Social Security Numbers, and mailing addresses of the parents and the children; the occupation and driver's license number of the parent who is ordered to pay support; the policy number and name of the health insurance provider of the parent who is ordered to insure the children; and, if income withholding is ordered, the name and address of the obligor's employer. When a party or attorney must prepare - 60 -
a formal written judgment or order pursuant to a judicial decision that includes alimony, maintenance or child support or medical support provisions to be administered by the Probation Division, the court shall, on the date of the hearing, record the support and health insurance provisions on a Temporary Support Order using the form prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts and shall immediately have such order and a Confidential Litigant Information Sheet in the form prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts (if it has not yet been provided by the parties or counsel) delivered to the appropriate judicial staff so that a support account can be established on the New Jersey automated child support system. A probation account shall be established on the automated child support system within eight business days of the date the court order was signed. Demographic information provided on the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet shall be required to establish a probation account and send case initiation documents to the parties and the obligor's employer. The Temporary Support Order shall remain in effect until a copy of the final judgment or order is received by the Probation Division. Judgments or orders amending the amounts to be paid through the Probation Division shall be treated in the same manner. 
(c) Establishment of Support Arrears at the Hearing. . . . no change. 
(d) Payments to the New Jersey Family Support Payment Center. All orders which include payment of child support, or spousal support in conjunction with child support on the same order, shall be entered onto the statewide automated child support enforcement system, and presumptively deemed [A judgment or order for payment of any support administered by the Probation Division shall be deemed to provide that payments are] payable to the New Jersey Family Support Payment Center, and supervised by the Probation Division, unless the court orders otherwise, for good cause shown. 
- 61 -

(e) Income Withholding. All complaints, notices, pleadings, orders and judgments which include child support filed or entered on or after October 1, 1990 shall comply with the income withholding provisions of [Rule 5:7-5] R. 5:7-4A. [(f) All Notices Applicable to All Orders and Judgments That Include Child Support Provisions. The judgment or order shall include notices stating: (1) that, if support is not paid through immediate income withholding, the child support provisions of an order or judgment are subject to income withholding when a child support arrearage has accrued in an amount equal to or in excess of the amount of support payable for 14 days; the withholding is effective against the obligor's current and future income from all sources authorized by law; (2) that any payment or installment of an order for child support or those portions of an order that are allocated for child support shall be fully enforceable and entitled to full faith and credit and shall be a judgment by operation of law against the obligor on or after the date it is due; before entry of a warrant of satisfaction of the child support judgment, any party to whom the child support is owed has the right to request assessment of post-judgment interest on child support judgments; 
(3) that no payment or installment of an order for child support or those portions of an order that are allocated for child support shall be retroactively modified by the court except for the period during which the party seeking relief has pending an application for modification as provided in 

N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.23a; (4) that the occupational, recreational, and professional licenses, including a license to practice law, held or applied for by the obligor may be denied, suspended or revoked if: (i) a child support arrearage accumulates that is equal to or exceeds the amount of child support payable for six months, or (ii) the obligor fails to provide health care coverage for the child as ordered by the court within six months, or (iii) a warrant for the obligor's arrest has been issued by the court for obligor's failure to pay child support as ordered, or for obligor's - 62 -
failure to appear at a hearing to establish paternity or child support, or for obligor's failure to appear at a child support hearing to enforce a child support order and said warrant remains outstanding; (5) that the driver's license held or applied for by the obligor may be denied, suspended, or revoked if (i) a child support arrearage accumulates that is equal to or exceeds the amount of child support payable for six months, or (ii) the obligor fails to provide health care coverage for the child as ordered by the court within six months; (6) that the driver's license held or applied for by the obligor shall be denied, suspended, or revoked if the court issues a warrant for the obligor's arrest for failure to pay child support as ordered, or for failure to appear at a hearing to establish paternity or child support, or for failure to appear at a child support hearing to enforce a child support order and said warrant remains outstanding; (7) that the amount of child support and/or the addition of a health care coverage provision in Title IV-D cases shall be subject to review, at least once every three years, on written request by either party to the Division of Family Development, P.O. Box 716, Trenton, NJ 08625-0716 and adjusted by the court, as appropriate, or upon application to the court; (8) that the parties are required to notify the appropriate Probation Division of any change of employer, address, or health care coverage provider within 10 days of the change and that failure to provide such information shall be considered a violation of the order; (9) that, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23b, the custodial parent may require the non-custodial parent's health care coverage provider to make payments directly to the health care provider by submitting a copy of the relevant sections of the order to the insurer; (10) that Social Security numbers are collected and used in accordance with section 205 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405), that disclosure of an individual's Social Security number for Title IV-D purposes is mandatory, that Social Security numbers are used to obtain income, employment, and benefit information on individuals through computer matching - 63 -
programs with federal and state agencies, and that such information is used to establish and 
enforce child support under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.); and 
(11) that after a judgment or order is entered and a probation support account has been 
established, the obligee and the obligor shall notify the appropriate Probation Division of any 
change of employer, health insurance provider, or address and the obligee and obligor shall 
notify the Probation Division of a change of address or a change in the status of the children as 
may be required in the order or judgment within ten days of the change, and any judgment or 
order that includes alimony, maintenance, or child support shall so provide. Failure to provide 
information as to change of employer, health insurance provider, address, or status of the 
children shall be considered a violation of the order.] 
[(g)] (f) Electronic Signatures on Child Support Orders. . . . no change. 
Note: Source - R. (1969) 4:79-9(a). Adopted December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; amended November 2, 1987 to be effective January 1, 1988; amended January 5, 1988 to be effective February 1, 1988; amended June 29, 1990 to be effective September 4, 1990; caption and text amended October 5, 1993 to be effective October 13, 1993; caption amended, text amended and redesignated as paragraphs (a), (b), and (d), captions of paragraph (a) through (e) and text of paragraphs (c) and (e) adopted July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; paragraph (d) amended March 15, 1996 to be effective immediately; paragraph (b) amended June 28, 1996 to be effective immediately; caption of paragraph (d) and text of paragraphs (d) and (e) amended May 25, 1999 to be effective July 1, 1999; paragraph (b) amended July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; paragraph (b) amended July 12, 2002 to be effective September 3, 2002; paragraph (b) caption and text amended, new paragraph (c) adopted, former paragraph (c) redesignated as paragraph (d), former paragraph (d) amended (including incorporation of some text of former paragraph (e)) and redesignated as paragraph (e), and former paragraph (e) deleted July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; new paragraph (c) adopted, and former paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) redesignated as paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006; paragraph (f) amended June 15, 2007 to be effective September 1, 2007; paragraph (b) amended and new paragraph (g) adopted July 21, 2011 to be effective September 1, 2011; caption amended, paragraph (b) caption amended, paragraphs (d) and (e) amended, paragraph (f) deleted and redesignated as R. 5:7-4A(d), and former paragraph (g) redesignated as paragraph (f) July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 64 -
5:7-4A. Income Withholding for Child Support; Notices [new] 
(a) Immediate Income Withholding. All orders that include child support shall be paid through immediate income withholding from the obligor's current and future income, unless the parties agree in writing to an alternative arrangement, or either party shows and the court finds good cause for an alternative arrangement. If included in the same order as child support, the court may, in its discretion, garnish a separate amount for alimony, maintenance or spousal support, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2A:17-50 et seq., and include such amount in the immediate income withholding order. 
(1) Application. Immediate income withholding applies to all orders that include child support established or modified on or after October 1, 1990. 
(2) Procedure. If an order or judgment contains a child support provision, the child support shall be paid through immediate income withholding and the withholding may include amounts for alimony, maintenance or spousal support, unless the parties agree, in writing, to an alternative arrangement or either party shows and the court finds good cause for an alternative arrangement. The court shall forward the order to the Probation Division which shall prepare and send a Notice to Payor of Income Withholding to the obligor's employer or other source of income. 
(3) Advance Notice. Every complaint, notice or pleading for the entry or modification of a child support order shall include the following written notice: In accordance with N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.7 et seq., the child support provisions of a court order are subject to income withholding on the effective date of the order unless the parties agree, in writing, to an alternative arrangement or either party shows and the court finds good cause to establish an 
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alternative arrangement. The income withholding is effective upon all types of income including wages from current and future employment. 
(b) Initiated Income Withholding. When any child support order, which is not subject to immediate income withholding in accordance with paragraph (a), has an accumulated arrearage equal to or exceeding the amount of support payable for 14 days, the Probation Division supervising the support order shall initiate an income withholding against the obligor's current and future income that is subject to income withholding. 
(1) Application. Initiated income withholding applies to all orders which include child support (a) entered prior to October 1, 1990, (b) entered or modified after October 1, 1990 that do not include a provision for immediate income withholding or (c) in which the parties have agreed, in writing, to an alternative arrangement and an arrearage equal to or in excess of the amount of support payable for 14 days exists. Initiated income withholding does not apply to alimony, maintenance or spousal support provisions. 
(2) Procedure. When any child support order is in default in an amount equal to or in excess of the amount of support payable for 14 days, the Probation Division of the County responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the order or judgment shall initiate an income withholding against any of the obligor's income, which is subject to income withholding. The Probation Division shall send, by regular mail, a Notice to Obligor of Income Withholding to the obligor's last known address. This notice shall be postmarked no later than 10 days after the date on which the case was identified as having the requisite 14-day arrearage and shall be mailed at the same time as the notice to the payor. The notice shall inform the obligor of the amounts withheld for current support and for the liquidation of arrearages and state that the withholding has commenced. An obligor may contest the withholding only on the basis of 
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mistake of fact. If an obligor objects to the withholding, the Probation Division shall schedule a hearing or administrative review within 20 days after receiving notice of the contest of the withholding. Payment of arrearages after the due date shall not constitute good cause to terminate the withholding. No later than five days after the hearing or administrative review, the Probation Division shall notify the obligor, in writing, whether the withholding shall continue. 
(3) Advance Notice. All orders that include child support and that are not subject to immediate income withholding as described in paragraph (a) shall include a notice to the obligor stating that: The child support provisions of a support order are subject to income withholding when a child support arrearage has accrued in an amount equal to or in excess of the amount of support payable for 14 days. The withholding is effective against the obligor's current and future income from all sources authorized by law. 
(c) Rules Applicable to All Withholdings. The income withholding shall be binding on the obligor's employer (or other source of income) and successive payors of the obligor's income, immediately after service of the Notice to Payor of Income Withholding upon the payor of such income. An employer (or other source of income) is not required to alter normal pay cycles to comply with the withholding, but shall withhold and forward the required amount beginning with the first pay period that ends immediately after the notice is postmarked and each time the obligor is paid thereafter. The Notice to Payor of Income Withholding shall state the payor of the obligor's income, except for the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability, may deduct a fee of $1.00 for each payment. Such fee shall be deducted from the obligor's income in addition to the amount withheld for child support. The total amount of the withholding shall not exceed the maximum amount permitted under section 303(b) of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C.A. § 1673(b)). If the court modifies any support order based upon 
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changed circumstances, the Probation Division shall notify the payor to change the income withholding accordingly. When the Probation Division is unable to locate the obligor's current employer or other source of income to effectuate an income withholding, it may use any other procedures authorized by law to obtain this information. An income withholding for child support shall have priority over all other legal processes under State law without regard to the date of entry. If the obligor has more than one support order subject to withholding, the employer or other source of income shall withhold the payments on a pro-rata basis. The income withholding shall remain in effect until such time as the court enters an order to the contrary and the Probation Division delivers a Notice of Termination of Income Withholding to the employer or other source of income. An employer may not use an income withholding as a basis for discharge, discipline or discrimination in hiring. An aggrieved obligor may institute court action against the employer or other source of income as set forth in N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.12. If the obligor's source of income fails to comply with a Notice to Payor of Income Withholding, it is liable for amounts that should have been withheld. The employer or other source of income shall notify the Probation Division promptly upon termination of the obligor's employment. If an employer or other source of income fails to comply with the terms of the income withholding or any withholding provision in this paragraph, the court may, upon application of the Probation Division, issue an Order to Show Cause for Contempt against the payor and proceed with contempt proceedings under Rule 1:10-3. The forms and notices required herein shall be prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts. 
(d) All Notices Applicable to All Orders and Judgments That Include Child Support Provisions. The judgment or order shall include notices stating: (1) if support is not paid through immediate income withholding, the child support provisions of an order or judgment are subject 
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to income withholding when a child support arrearage has accrued in an amount equal to or in excess of the amount of support payable for 14 days; the withholding is effective against the obligor's current and future income from all sources authorized by law; (2) any payment or installment of an order for child support or those portions of an order that are allocated for child support shall be fully enforceable and entitled to full faith and credit and shall be a judgment by operation of law against the obligor on or after the date it is due; before entry of a warrant of satisfaction of the child support judgment, any party to whom the child support is owed has the right to request assessment of post-judgment interest on child support judgments; (3) no payment or installment of an order for child support or those portions of an order that are allocated for child support shall be retroactively modified by the court except for the period during which the party seeking relief has pending an application for modification as provided in N.J.S.A. 2A:1756.23a; (4) the occupational, recreational, and professional licenses, including a license to practice law, held or applied for by the obligor may be denied, suspended or revoked if: (i) a child support arrearage accumulates that is equal to or exceeds the amount of child support payable for six months, or (ii) the obligor fails to provide health care coverage for the child as ordered by the court within six months, or (iii) a warrant for the obligor's arrest has been issued by the court for obligor's failure to pay child support as ordered, or for obligor's failure to appear at a hearing to establish paternity or child support, or for obligor's failure to appear at a child support hearing to enforce a child support order and said warrant remains outstanding; (5) the driver's license held or applied for by the obligor may be denied, suspended, or revoked if (i) a child support arrearage accumulates that is equal to or exceeds the amount of child support payable for six months, or (ii) the obligor fails to provide health care coverage for the child as ordered by the court within six months; (6) the driver's license held or applied for by the obligor - 69 -
shall be denied, suspended, or revoked if the court issues a warrant for the obligor's arrest for failure to pay child support as ordered, or for failure to appear at a hearing to establish paternity or child support, or for failure to appear at a child support hearing to enforce a child support order and said warrant remains outstanding; (7) the amount of child support and/or the addition of a health care coverage provision in Title IV-D cases shall be subject to review, at least once every three years, on written request by either party to the Division of Family Development, P.O. Box 716, Trenton, NJ 08625-0716 and adjusted by the court, as appropriate, or upon application to the court; (8) the parties are required to notify the appropriate Probation Division of any change of employer, address, or health care coverage provider within 10 days of the change and that failure to provide such information shall be considered a violation of the order; (9) in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23b, the custodial parent may require the non-custodial parent's health care coverage provider to make payments directly to the health care provider by submitting a copy of the relevant sections of the order to the insurer; (10) Social Security numbers are collected and used in accordance with section 205 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C.A. § 405), that disclosure of an individual's Social Security number for Title IV-D purposes is mandatory, that Social Security numbers are used to obtain income, employment, and benefit information on individuals through computer matching programs with federal and state agencies, and that such information is used to establish and enforce child support under Title IVD of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.A. § 651 et seq.); and (11) after a judgment or order is entered and a probation support account has been established, the obligee and the obligor shall notify the appropriate Probation Division of any change of employer, health insurance provider, or address and the obligee and obligor shall notify the Probation Division of a change of address or a change in the status of the children as may be required in the order or judgment within ten - 70 -
days of the change, and any judgment or order that includes alimony, maintenance, or child support shall so provide. Failure to provide information as to change of employer, health insurance provider, address, or status of the children shall be considered a violation of the order. 
Note: Former R. 5:7-5(b) redesignated as R. 5:7-4A(a), former R. 5:7-5(c) redesignated as R. 5:7-4A(b), former R. 5:7-5(d) redesignated as R. 5:7-4A(c), former R. 5:7-4(f) redesignated as R. 5:7-4A(d) July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 71 -
5:7-5. Failure to Pay; Enforcement by the Court or Party; [Income Withholding for Child Support;] Suspension and Revocation of Licenses for Failure to Support Dependents; Execution of Assets for Child Support; Child Support Judgments and Post-Judgment Interest 
(a) Application for Relief in Aid of Litigant's Rights. If a person fails to make payments or provide health insurance coverage as directed by an order or judgment, the Probation Division responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance shall notify such person by mail that such failure may result in the institution of Relief to Litigant proceedings in accordance with R. 1:103 and R. 5:3-7(b). Upon the accumulation of a support arrearage equal to or in excess of the amount of support payable for 14 days or failure to provide health insurance coverage as ordered, the Probation Division shall file a verified statement setting forth the facts establishing disobedience of the order or judgment. The Probation Division may then, on the litigant's behalf, apply to the court for relief in accordance with R. 1:10-3 and R. 5:3-7(b). Actions for relief under this rule shall be brought in the county in which the support case is being enforced, unless another county is designated by court order. If the application for relief is made on behalf of a party by the Probation Division, filing fees shall be waived. If the application for relief is made by or on behalf of the obligee, other than by the Probation Division, and the applicant states under oath in the application that he or she is indigent and unable to pay the required filing fees, the court, if satisfied of the fact of indigency, may waive the payment of such fees. In the discretion of the court, filing fees subsequently may be assessed against the adverse party if it is determined that he or she has not complied with the order or judgment being enforced. For past-due alimony or child support payments that have not been docketed as a civil money judgment with the Clerk of the Superior Court, the court may, on its own motion or on motion by the party bringing the enforcement action, assess costs against the adverse party at the rate prescribed by 
R. 4:42-11(a). For past-due child support payments that have been docketed as a civil money judgment, see paragraph [g] d of this Rule. 
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(b) Suspension and Revocation of Licenses for Failure to Support Dependents. 
(1) Driver's License, Recreational Activity License, Professional License. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.41, a child support obligor's driver's license shall be suspended by operation of law upon the issuance of a child support-related warrant. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.41 to 56.52, an obligor's licenses to drive, participate in recreational activities, or to practice licensed occupations may be denied, suspended, or revoked after notice and a hearing if: 
(A) child support arrears equal or exceed the amount payable for six months; or 
(B) court-ordered health care coverage for a child is not provided for six months; or 
(C) the obligor fails to respond to a subpoena relating to a paternity or child support action; or 
(D) a warrant for the obligor's arrest has been issued by the court due to the: 
(i) failure to pay child support as ordered, 
(ii) failure to appear at a hearing to establish paternity or child support, or 
(iii) failure to appear at a child support hearing to enforce a child support order. 
(2) License to Practice Law. A license to practice law may be suspended under the same statutory standards as other occupational licenses. If the obligor is an attorney licensed to practice law in New Jersey, the order shall notify the Supreme Court to suspend the obligor's license to practice law. 
(3) Transmittal of Order Suspending or Revoking License. The Probation Division shall immediately forward a copy of the order denying, suspending, or revoking an obligor’s license to the obligor and the appropriate licensing authorities. If the order notifies the Supreme Court to suspend the obligor’s license to practice law in New Jersey, the Probation 
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Division shall also forward a copy of the order to the Clerk of the Supreme Court and Office of Attorney Ethics, and the suspension shall be governed by R. 1:20-11A. 
(4) Term of Suspension/Restoration of License. A court order denying, suspending, or revoking an obligor’s license shall remain in effect until the obligor files with the licensing authority either a court order restoring the license or a Probation Division certification attesting to the full satisfaction of the child support arrearage. Within three working days of the full payment of the child support arrearage, the Probation Division shall provide the court with a certification stating that the obligor has satisfied the past-due child support amount. Upon receipt of the certification, the court shall issue an order restoring the obligor's licenses. The Probation Division shall immediately forward the restoration order or certification to the obligor. The obligor is responsible for filing the court order or Probation certification with the licensing authority. If a license to practice law in New Jersey was suspended by the Supreme Court pursuant to R. 1:20-11A, the attorney shall forward the Chancery Division, Family Part order that recommends the restoration of the license to the Clerk of the Supreme Court and a copy of the order to the Director of the Office of Attorney Ethics. The reinstatement of a license to practice law in New Jersey shall be governed by R. 1:20-11A. When the court issues an order to vacate a child support-related warrant or local law enforcement authorities execute the warrant, the Probation Division shall send a certification or the court's order to the obligor and to the Motor Vehicle Commission indicating that the child support-related warrant is no longer effective. The Motor Vehicle Commission, upon receipt of the order or certification, may reinstate the obligor's driving privileges, provided that the obligor pays the Division's restoration fee. 
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[(b) Immediate Income Withholding. All orders that include child support shall be paid through immediate income withholding from the obligor's current and future income unless the parties agree, in writing, to an alternative arrangement or either party shows, and the court finds, good cause for an alternative arrangement. If included in the same order as child support, the court may, in its discretion, garnish a separate amount for alimony, maintenance or spousal support in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2A:17-50 et seq. and include such amount in the immediate income withholding order. 
(1) Application. Immediate income withholding applies to all orders which include child support that are established or modified on or after October 1, 1990. 
(2) Procedure. If an order or judgment contains a child support provision, the child support shall be paid through immediate income withholding, and the withholding may include amounts for alimony, maintenance or spousal support, unless the parties agree, in writing, to an alternative arrangement or either party shows and the court finds good cause for an alternative arrangement. The court shall forward the order to the Probation Division which shall prepare and send a Notice to Payor of Income Withholding to the obligor's employer or other source of income. 
(3) Advance Notice. Every complaint, notice or pleading for the entry or modification of a child support order shall include the following written notice: In accordance with N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.7 et seq., the child support provisions of a court order are subject to income withholding on the effective date of the order unless the parties agree, in writing, to an alternative arrangement or either party shows and the court finds good cause to establish an alternative arrangement. The income withholding is effective upon all types of income including wages from current and future employment.] 
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[(c) Initiated Income Withholding. When any child support order that is not subject to immediate income withholding in accordance with paragraph (b) has an accumulated arrearage equal to or exceeding the amount of support payable for 14 days, the Probation Division supervising the support order shall initiate an income withholding against the obligor's current and future income that is subject to income withholding order. 
(1) Application. Initiated income withholding applies to all orders which include child support (a) that are entered prior to October 1, 1990, (b) that are entered or modified after October 1, 1990 which do not include a provision for immediate income withholding or (c) in which the parties have agreed, in writing, to an alternative arrangement and an arrearage equal to or in excess of the amount of support payable for 14 days exists. Initiated income withholding does not apply to alimony, maintenance or spousal support provisions. 
(2) Procedure. When any order that includes child support is in default in an amount equal to or in excess of the amount of support payable for 14 days, the Probation Division of the County responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the order or judgment shall initiate an income withholding against any of the obligor's income that is subject to income withholding. The Probation Division shall send, by regular mail, a Notice to Obligor of Income Withholding to the obligor's last known address. This notice shall be postmarked no later than 10 days after the date on which the case was identified as having the requisite 14-day arrearage and shall be mailed at the same time as the notice to the payor. The notice shall inform the obligor of the amounts withheld for current support and for the liquidation of arrearages and state that the withholding has commenced. An obligor may contest the withholding only on the basis of mistake of fact. If an obligor objects to the withholding, the Probation Division shall schedule a hearing or administrative review within 20 days after receiving notice of the contest 
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of the withholding. Payment of arrearages after the due date shall not constitute good cause to terminate the withholding. No later than five days after the hearing or administrative review, the Probation Division shall notify the obligor, in writing, whether the withholding shall continue. 
(3) Advance Notice. All orders that include child support and that are not subject to immediate income withholding as described in paragraph (b) shall include a notice to the obligor stating that: The child support provisions of a support order are subject to income withholding when a child support arrearage has accrued in an amount equal to or in excess of the amount of support payable for 14 days. The withholding is effective against the obligor's current and future income from all sources authorized by law.] 

[(d) Rules Applicable to All Withholdings. The income withholding shall be binding on the obligor's employer or other source of income and successive payors of the obligor's income immediately after service of the Notice to Payor of Income Withholding upon the payor of such income. An employer or other source of income is not required to alter normal pay cycles to comply with the withholding but shall withhold and forward the required amount beginning with the first pay period that ends immediately after the notice is postmarked and each time the obligor is paid thereafter. The Notice to Payor of Income Withholding shall state that the payor of the obligor's income, except for the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability, may deduct a fee of $ 1.00 for each payment. Such fee shall be deducted from the obligor's income in addition to the amount withheld for child support. The total amount of the withholding shall not exceed the maximum amount permitted under section 303(b) of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)). If the court modifies any support order based upon changed circumstances, the Probation Division shall notify the payor to change the income withholding accordingly. When the Probation Division is unable to locate the obligor's current - 77 -
employer or other source of income to effectuate an income withholding, it may use any other procedures authorized by law to obtain this information. An income withholding for child support shall have priority over all other legal processes under State law without regard to the date of entry. If the obligor has more than one support order subject to withholding, the employer or other source of income shall withhold the payments on a pro-rata basis. The income withholding shall remain in effect until such time as the court enters an order to the contrary and the Probation Division delivers a Notice of Termination of Income Withholding to the employer or other source of income. An employer may not use an income withholding as a basis for discharge, discipline or discrimination in hiring. An aggrieved obligor may institute court action against the employer or other source of income as set forth in N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.12. If the obligor's source of income fails to comply with a Notice to Payor of Income Withholding, it is liable for amounts that should have been withheld. The employer or other source of income shall notify the Probation Division promptly upon termination of the obligor's employment. If an employer or other source of income fails to comply with the terms of the income withholding or any withholding provision in this paragraph, the court may, upon application of the Probation Division, issue an Order to Show Cause for Contempt against the payor and proceed with contempt proceedings under Rule 1:10-3. The forms and notices required herein shall be prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts.] 
[(e) Suspension and Revocation of Licenses for Failure to Support Dependents. 
(1) General Provisions. If a child support arrearage equals or exceeds the amount of child support payable for six months, or court-ordered health care coverage for a child is not provided within six months of the date that it is ordered, or the obligor fails to respond to a subpoena relating to a paternity or child support action, or a warrant for the obligor's arrest has - 78 -
been issued by the court due to the failure to pay child support as ordered, failure to appear at a hearing to establish paternity or child support, or failure to appear at a child support hearing to enforce a child support order, and said warrant remains outstanding, and the obligor is found to possess a license in the State of New Jersey, including a license to practice law, and attempts to enforce the support provisions through income withholding, withholding of civil lawsuit awards, and the execution of assets, when available, have been exhausted, the Probation Division shall send a written notice to the obligor, by certified and regular mail, return receipt requested, at the obligor's last-known address or place of business or employment, stating that the obligor's licenses may be revoked or suspended unless, within 30 days of the postmark date of the notice, the obligor pays the full amount of past-due child support, or provides proof that health care coverage for the child has been obtained, or responds to a subpoena, or makes a written request for a court hearing to the Probation Division. If a child support-related warrant exists, the license revocation or suspension will be terminated if the obligor pays the full amount of the child support arrearage, provides proof that health care coverage for the child has been obtained, or surrenders to the county sheriff or the Probation Division. No license revocation action shall be initiated if the Probation Division has received notice that the obligor has pending a motion to modify the child support order if that motion was filed prior to the date that the notice of the license suspension or revocation was sent by the Probation Division. If the court issues a warrant for the obligor's arrest for failure to pay child support as ordered, or for failure to appear at a hearing to establish paternity or child support, or for failure to appear at a child support hearing to enforce a child support order, and said warrant remains outstanding, the Probation Division shall immediately notify the Motor Vehicle Commission of the warrant and the requirement to suspend the obligor's driving privileges pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:17-56.41. - 79 -

(2) Suspension by Default of the Obligor. If, after receiving notice of a proposed license suspension or revocation, the obligor fails to take one of the actions specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this Rule, the Probation Division shall provide the court with a certification setting forth the obligor's non-compliance and failure to respond to the written notice of the pending license revocation or suspension as well as proof of service of the written notice of license suspension or denial. If, based on the papers filed by the Probation Division, the court is satisfied that service on the obligor was effective as set forth below, it shall, without need for further due process or hearing, enter an order suspending or revoking all licenses held by the obligor except that if the obligor is an attorney licensed to practice law in New Jersey, the order shall notify the Supreme Court to suspend the obligor's license to practice law. 
(3) Service of the Notice of Proposed License Suspension or Revocation. For the purpose of license suspensions or revocations initiated in accordance with this paragraph, simultaneous certified and regular mailing of the written notice shall constitute effective service. The court may deem procedural due process requirements for notice and service of process to be met with respect to a party thereto upon delivery of written notice to the most recent residential or employer address filed with the Probation Division for that party. If a party fails to respond to a notice and no proof is available that the party received the notice, the Probation Division shall document to the court that it has made a diligent effort to locate the party by making inquiries that may include, but are not limited to: the United States Postal Service, the Motor Vehicle Commission, the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Labor. The Probation Division shall provide an affidavit to the court presenting such documentation of its diligent effort, which certifies its inability to locate the party. If the United States Postal Service returns the mail to the Probation Division 
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within the 30-day response period marked "moved, unable to forward," "addressee not known," "no such number/street," "insufficient address," or "forwarding order expired," the court may deem procedural due process requirements for notice and service of process to be met upon a finding that the Probation Division has provided the affidavit documenting the diligent effort to locate the party. If the certified mail is returned for any other reason without the return of the regular mail, the regular mail service shall constitute effective service. If the mail is addressed to the obligor at the obligor's place of business or employment, with postal instructions to deliver to the addressee only, service will be deemed effective only if the signature on the return receipt appears to be that of the obligor. Acceptance of certified mail notice signed by the obligor, the obligor's attorney, or a competent member of the obligor's household above the age of 14 shall be deemed effective service. 
(4) License Suspension or Revocation Hearings. If the obligor requests a hearing, the Probation Division shall file a petition for a court hearing, which shall occur within 45 days of the obligor's request. If, at or prior to the hearing, the obligor pays the full amount of the child support arrearage or provides proof that health care coverage for the child has been obtained or responds to the subpoena or surrenders to the county sheriff or the Probation Division, the license revocation process shall be terminated. The court shall suspend or revoke the obligor's licenses (if the obligor is an attorney licensed to practice law in New Jersey, the order shall notify the Supreme Court to suspend the obligor's license to practice law) if it finds that: (a) all appropriate enforcement methods have been exhausted, (b) the obligor is the holder of a license, 
(c) the requisite child support arrearage amount exists or health care coverage for the child has not been provided as ordered, (d) no motion to modify the child support order, filed prior to the date that the notice of the license suspension or revocation was sent by the Probation Division, is 
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pending before the court, and (e) there is no equitable reason, such as involuntary unemployment, disability, or compliance with a court-ordered plan for the periodic payment of the child support arrearage amount, for the obligor's non-compliance with the child support order. If the court is satisfied that these conditions exist, it shall first consider suspending or revoking the obligor's driver's license prior to a professional or occupational license. If the obligor fails to appear at the hearing after being properly served with notice, the court shall order the suspension or revocation of all licenses held by the obligor except that if the obligor is an attorney licensed to practice law in New Jersey, the order shall notify the Supreme Court to suspend the obligor's license to practice law. In the case of a driver's license, if the court finds that the license revocation or suspension will result in a significant hardship to the obligor, to the obligor's legal dependents under 18 years of age living in the obligor's household, to the obligor's employees, or to persons, businesses, or entities to whom the obligor provides goods or services, the court may allow the obligor to pay 25% of the past-due child support amount within three working days of the hearing, establish a payment schedule to satisfy the remainder of the arrearages within one year, and require that the obligor comply with any current child support obligation. If the obligor agrees to this arrangement, no suspension or revocation of any licenses shall be ordered. Compliance with the payment agreement shall be monitored by the Probation Division. If the obligor has good cause for not complying with the payment agreement within the time permitted, the obligor shall immediately file a motion with the court and the Probation Division requesting an extension of the payment plan. The court may extend the payment plan if it is satisfied that the obligor has made a good faith effort to comply with the plan and is unable to satisfy the full amount of past-due support within the time permitted due to circumstances beyond the obligor's control. In no case shall a payment plan extend beyond the date that the - 82 -
dependent child reaches the age of 18. If the obligor fails to comply with the court-ordered payment schedule, the court shall, upon receipt of a certification of non-compliance from the Probation Division, and without further hearing, order the immediate revocation or suspension of all licenses held by the obligor. If the obligor is an attorney licensed to practice law in New Jersey, the order shall notify the Supreme Court to suspend the obligor's license to practice law. If required by existing law or regulation, the court shall order that the obligor surrender the license to the issuing authority within 30 days of the date of the order. 
(5) Transmittal of Order Suspending or Revoking License. If the court issues an order suspending or revoking a license pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Rule, the Probation Division shall forward a copy of the order to the obligor and all appropriate licensing authorities. If the order notifies the Supreme Court to suspend a license to practice law in New Jersey, the Probation Division shall forward the order to the Clerk of the Supreme Court and a copy to the Director of the Office of Attorney Ethics. The suspension of a license to practice law in the State of New Jersey pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Rule, shall be governed by R. 1:20-11A. 
(6) Relief from Suspension or Revocation Due to Mistaken Identity. If the licensee, upon receipt of the notice of suspension or revocation from the licensing authority, disputes that he or she is the obligor, the licensee shall notify the licensing authority and the Probation Division by registered mail within 20 days of the postmark date of the notice and request a hearing. Upon receipt of the licensee's request for a hearing, the Probation Division shall determine if the licensee is the obligor. If the Probation Division determines that the licensee is not the obligor, the Probation Division shall so notify the licensee and the licensing authority. If the Probation Division determines that the licensee is the obligor and the licensee still disputes this finding, the Probation Division shall file a petition for a court hearing to resolve 
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the issue. The hearing shall be held within 30 days of the date that the Probation Division determines that a hearing is required. If a hearing is held to determine if the licensee is the obligor, the Probation Division shall notify the licensing authority of the court's finding. 
(7) Term of Suspension/Restoration of License. A license suspension or revocation ordered by the court remains in effect until the obligor files with the licensing authority either a court order restoring the license or a Probation Division certification attesting to the full satisfaction of the child support arrearage. Within three working days of the full payment of the child support arrearage, the Probation Division shall provide the court with a certification stating that the obligor has satisfied the past-due child support amount. Upon receipt of the certification, the court shall issue an order restoring the obligor's licenses. The Probation Division shall immediately forward the restoration order or certification to the obligor. The obligor is responsible for filing the court order or Probation certification with the licensing authority. If a license to practice law in New Jersey was suspended by the Supreme Court pursuant to R. 1:20-11A, the attorney shall forward the Chancery Division, Family Part order that recommends the restoration of the license to the Clerk of the Supreme Court and a copy of the order to the Director of the Office of Attorney Ethics. The reinstatement of a license to practice law in New Jersey shall be governed by R. 1:20-11A. When the court issues an order to vacate a child support-related warrant or local law enforcement authorities execute the warrant, the Probation Division shall send a certification or the court's order to the obligor and to the Motor Vehicle Commission indicating that the child support-related warrant is no longer effective. The Motor Vehicle Commission, upon receipt of the order or certification, may reinstate the obligor's driving privileges, provided that the obligor pays the Division's restoration fee.] 
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[(f)] (c) Execution on Assets to Collect Alimony and Child Support. . . . no change. 
[(g)] (d) Child Support Judgments and Post-judgment Interest. . . . no change. 
Note: Source -R. (1969) 4:79-9(b)(1), (2) (3). Adopted December 20, 1983 to be effective December 31, 1983; paragraph (b) amended November 7, 1988 to be effective January 2, 1989; paragraph (a) amended July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; paragraph (a) amended July 13, 1994, to be effective August 1, 1994; paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; caption amended, paragraph (e) adopted March 15, 1996, to be effective immediately; caption amended, paragraphs (a) and (d) amended, and paragraphs (f) and (g) adopted June 28, 1996, to be effective immediately; paragraphs (b), (c), and (e) amended May 25, 1999 to be effective July 1, 1999; paragraph (a) caption and text, and paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(3), and (e)(7) amended June 15, 2007 to be effective September 1, 2007; paragraph (f) amended July 19, 2012 to be effective September 4, 2012; caption amended, paragraph (a) amended, new paragraph (b) adopted, former paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) deleted and redesignated as paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) in new R. 5:7-4A, paragraph (e) deleted, former subparagraph (e)(5) amended and redesignated as new subparagraph (b)(3), former subparagraph (e)(7) redesignated as new subparagraph (b)(4), former paragraph (f) redesignated as paragraph (c), and former paragraph (g) redesignated as paragraph (d) July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 85 -
5:7-11. Application for Title IV-D Child Support Services; Probation Division Enforcement; Monitoring-Only Services [new] 
(a) IV-D Application. Any party seeking full Title IV-D enforcement services by the Probation Division of an order that includes the payment of child support, or spousal support in conjunction with child support on the same order, shall submit a completed Title IV-D application, except as otherwise provided by law. An application fee must be paid by the party applying for services or paid by the State out of its own funds and may be recovered from the non-custodial parent, except as otherwise provided by law. The forms and procedures to implement the processing of the IV-D application and collection of the fee shall be prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts. 
(b) Monitoring-Only Application. In the absence of the submission of a Title IV-D application for services, as required by paragraph (a) of this Rule, the Probation Division may provide monitoring-only services of support orders that are paid to the New Jersey Family Support Payment Center. Monitoring-only services shall be limited to entering and updating of case demographics on the statewide automated system, and the collection, disbursement and recording of payments made to the New Jersey Family Support Payment Center. In the absence of a Title IV-D application, the Probation Division shall not provide any enforcement services. A party may apply for limited, monitoring-only services, by completing a monitoring-only application and pay the applicable fee. The forms and procedures to implement the processing of the monitoring-only application and collection of the fee shall be prescribed by the Administrative Director of the Courts. 

If the order, when initially entered, contains a provision for the payment of child support or spousal support in conjunction with child support on the same order, the support shall be paid - 86 -
through immediate income withholding, unless either party shows and the court finds good cause for an alternative arrangement. 
Note: Adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 87 -
5:12-4. Case Management Conference, Hearings, Trial, and Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings 
(a) Prompt Disposition; Case Management Conference; Adjournments. . . . no change. 
(b) Hearings in Private; Testimony of Child. Hearings and trials shall be conducted in private. In the child's best interests, the court may order that a child not be present at a hearing or trial unless the child's testimony is necessary for the determination of the matter. As to permanency hearings, however, the court shall accommodate the rights of the child as provided by N.J.S.A. 30:4C-61.2. The testimony of a child may, in the court's discretion, be taken privately in chambers or under such protective orders as the court may provide. A verbatim record shall be made of any in-chambers testimony or interview of a child. 
(c) Examinations and Investigations. . . . no change. 
(d) Reports. . . . no change. 
(e) Written Plan. . . . no change. 
(f) Progress Reports. . . . no change. 
(g) Foreign State Placement. . . . no change. 
(h) Permanency Hearing. . . . no change. 
(i) Notice of Proceedings to Care Giver. . . . no change. 
(j) Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings; Exhibits. . . . no change. 

Note: Source-R. (1969) 5:7A-4. Adopted December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; paragraphs (e) and (f) adopted November 5, 1986 to be effective January 1, 1987; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996; paragraph (g) adopted July 10, 1998 to be effective September 1, 1998; new paragraphs (h) and (i) adopted July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; paragraph (a) amended July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; note that Appendix X-A previously referenced in paragraph (a) also deleted July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; paragraph (d) amended, and captions added to paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) June 15, 2007 to be effective September 1, 2007; paragraph (g) amended July 16, 2009 to be effective September 1, 2009; caption amended, new paragraph (j) adopted June 26, 2012 to be effective September 4, 2012; effective date of June 26, 2012 - 88 -
amendments changed to November 5, 2012 by order of August 20, 2012; paragraphs (d), (e), (f) and (j) amended July 9, 2013 to be effective September 1, 2013; paragraph (b) amended July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 89 -
5:14-4. Gestational Carrier Matters; Orders of Parentage [new] 
(a) Complaint and Order to Show Cause.Prior to the birth of a child or thereafter, and prior to the issuance of a birth certificate pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:8-28, a complaint and a proposed order to show cause may be filed requesting an order of parentage naming the petitioners, except when prohibited by law, as the child's legal parents. A gestational carrier is defined as a woman who is not the genetic mother of the child. 
(b) Process. The complaint, proposed order to show cause, and proposed order of parentage shall be filed with the Surrogate in the county where either the petitioners or gestational carrier resides, or where the child is to be born. The executed order to show cause shall be entered by the court no later than three days after filing of the complaint and set forth a return date no later than seven days after the filing date of the complaint. The gestational carrier and her spouse or civil union partner, if applicable, shall be served with a copy of the complaint, executed order to show cause, and proposed order of parentage. A copy of the complaint, executed order to show cause and proposed order of parentage shall be served on the State registrar of vital statistics pursuant to R. 4:4-4(a)(7), and any other party in interest. Proof of service shall be filed with the court on or before the return date. 
(c) Return on Order to Show Cause. 
(1) If the gestational carrier, and her spouse or civil union partner, if applicable, the State registrar of vital statistics and any other party in interest, have not filed an objection with the Surrogate, or appeared in court, an order of parentage shall be signed on the return date. The order of parentage shall state: (A) the order of parentage shall be issued and become effective upon the filing of a relinquishment of parental rights executed and acknowledged by the gestational carrier, and spouse or civil union partner, if applicable, after seventy-two (72) hours 
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from the birth of the child, and (B) the petitioners shall be the sole parents of the child born to the gestational carrier. Personal appearances of the parties on the return date shall not be required unless there is an objection to the relief requested. 
(2) The order of parentage shall be effective on the date the relinquishment of parental rights is filed with the Surrogate. Upon the filing of the relinquishment of parental rights, the Surrogate shall provide the fully executed order of parentage immediately to the petitioners or their attorney who shall serve a copy of the order of parentage on the gestational carrier and her spouse or civil union partner, if applicable. 
(d) Listing of Names of Petitioners on the Birth Record. Upon presentation of the fully executed order of parentage and relinquishment of parental rights to the hospital or health care facility in which the child was born, the names of the petitioners shall be listed as the parents of the child on the birth record pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:2-1.5(d). 

Note: Adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 91 -
7:5-2. Motion to Suppress Evidence 
(a) Jurisdiction. The municipal court shall entertain motions to suppress evidence seized with a warrant issued by a municipal court judge or without a warrant in matters within its trial jurisdiction on notice to the prosecuting attorney and, if the county prosecutor is not the prosecuting attorney, also to the county prosecutor. [A motion to suppress evidence seized pursuant to a warrant and motions to suppress evidence seized without a warrant, but in] In matters beyond the trial jurisdiction of municipal courts, and in matters where a search warrant was issued by a Superior Court judge, a motion to suppress evidence shall be made and heard in the Superior Court. 
(b) Procedure. [Written briefs in support of and opposition to the motion to suppress shall be filed only in the discretion of the judge, who shall determine the briefing schedule, if briefs are permitted. All motions to suppress shall be heard before the start of the trial.] If the search was made with a warrant, a brief stating the facts and arguments in support of the motion shall be submitted with the notice of motion. The State shall submit a brief stating the facts and arguments in support of the search, within a time as determined by the judge, but no less than 10 days after submission of the motion. If the search was made without a warrant, written briefs in support of and in opposition to the motion to suppress shall be filed either voluntarily or in the discretion of the judge, who shall determine the briefing schedule. All motions to suppress shall be heard before the start of the trial. If the municipal court having jurisdiction over the motion to suppress evidence seized with a warrant has more than one municipal court judge, the motion shall be heard by a judge other than the judge who issued the warrant, such judge to be designated by the chief judge for that municipal court. If the municipal court having jurisdiction of the motion to suppress evidence seized with a warrant has only one judge, who issued the warrant, the motion to suppress evidence shall be heard by the Municipal Court Presiding Judge 
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for the vicinage, or such municipal court judge in the vicinage that the Assignment Judge shall designate. 
(c) Order; Stay. . . . no change. 
(d) Waiver. . . . no change. 

(e) Effect of Irregularity in Warrant. In the absence of bad faith, no search or seizure made with a search warrant shall be deemed unlawful because of technical insufficiencies or irregularities in the warrant or in the papers or proceedings to obtain it, or in its execution. 
Note: Source-Paragraphs (a), (b), (c): R. (1969) 7:4-2(f); paragraph (d): R. (1969) 3:5-7(f). Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended, new paragraph (e) caption and text adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 93 -
7:5-4. Motion to Suppress Medical Records Obtained Pursuant to Rule 7:7-8(d) [new] 
The procedures set forth in Rule 7:5-2 shall apply to a motion to suppress records obtained pursuant to a subpoena issued under Rule 7:7-8(d) to produce medical records related to the presence of alcohol, narcotics, hallucinogens, habit-producing drugs or chemical inhalants in the body of an operator of a vehicle or vessel, in matters within the trial jurisdiction of the municipal court. In matters beyond the jurisdiction of the municipal court, the motion shall be made and heard in the Superior Court. 
Note: Adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 94 -
7:7-2. Motions 
(a) How Made. . . . no change. 
(b) Hearings. . . . no change. 
(c) Effect of Determination of Motion. . . . no change. 

(d) Relief Requested by Certain Incarcerated Persons. An incarcerated, unrepresented defendant who seeks relief from the municipal court either before or after the entry of a guilty plea or trial, on a matter within the court’s jurisdiction, must set forth the relief requested in writing on a form approved by the Administrative Director of the Courts and submit the form to the Municipal Court and send a copy to the Municipal Prosecutor. The court must respond to the request on the record within 45 days of receipt of the form. If the court does not respond to the request on the record within 45 days, the inmate may seek immediate relief from the vicinage Presiding Judge. 
Note: Source-Paragraph (a): R. (1969) 7:4-2(e); paragraph (b): R. (1969) 7:4-2(e), 3:10-2(b); paragraph (c): R. (1969) 3:10-7. Adopted October 6, 1997 to be effective February 1, 1998; new paragraph (d) caption and text adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015. - 95 -
RPC 7.5. Firm Names and Letterheads 
(a) . . . no change. 
(b) . . . no change. 
(c) . . . no change. 
(d) . . . no change. 

(e) A law firm name may include additional identifying language such as "& Associates" only when such language is accurate and descriptive of the firm. Any firm name including additional identifying language such as "Legal Services" or other similar phrases shall inform all prospective clients in the retainer agreement or other writing that the law firm is not affiliated or associated with a public, quasi-public or charitable organization. However, no firm shall use the phrase "legal aid" in its name or in any additional identifying language. Use of a trade name shall be permissible so long as it describes the nature of the firm's legal practice in terms that are accurate, descriptive, and informative, but not misleading, comparative, or suggestive of the ability to obtain results. Such trade names shall be accompanied by the full or last names of one or more of the lawyers practicing in the firm or the names of lawyers who are no longer associated in the firm through death or retirement. 
(f) . . . no change. 
Note: Adopted July 12, 1984, to be effective September 10, 1984; paragraphs (a) and (d) amended, paragraph (e) amended and redesignated as paragraph (f) and new paragraph (e) added June 29, 1990, to be effective September 4, 1990; paragraph (a) amended January 5, 2009 to be effective immediately; paragraph (e) amended, and Official Comment adopted July 27, 2015 to be effective September 1, 2015
Official Comment to RPC 7.5(e) by Supreme Court (July 27, 2015) 
By way of example, "Millburn Tax Law Associates, John Smith, Esq." would be permissible under the trade name provision of this rule, as would "Smith & Jones Millburn - 96 -
Personal Injury Lawyers," provided that the law firm's primary location is in Millburn and its primary practice area is tax law or personal injury law, respectively. "John Smith Criminal Defense and Municipal Law" would also be permissible. However, neither "Best Tax Lawyers" nor "Tax Fixers" would be permissible, the former being comparative and the latter being suggestive of the ability to achieve results. Similarly, "Budget Lawyer John Smith, Esq." is not permissible as it is comparative and likely to be misleading; "Million Dollar Personal Injury Lawyer John Smith, Esq." is not permissible as it suggests the ability to achieve results; and "Tough As Nails Lawyer John Smith, Esq." is not permissible as it purports to describe the lawyer and does not describe the nature of the firm's legal practice. - 97 -
Appendix V Family Part Case Information Statement 
This form and attachments are confidential pursuant to Rules 1:38-3(d)(1) and 5:5-2(f) 
Attorney(s): Office Address: Tel. No./Fax No. Attorney(s) for: 

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY CHANCERY DIVISION, FAMILY PART Plaintiff, 
COUNTY 
vs. 
DOCKET NO. 
Defendant. 
CASE INFORMATION STATEMENT