The New Jersey Supreme Court issued its First Omnibus Order on March 27, 2020 extending by 30 days the deadlines for the suspension of court proceedings and other matters in light of the ongoing public health emergency caused by COVID-19. The previous orders involved criminal, civil, family, tax and municipal courts, and suspended civil and criminal jury trials. Specifically, the March 27th Order provides as follows:

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JURY TRIALS: No new civil or criminal jury trials will be conducted until further notice.

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CRIMINAL CASES: Grand jury empanelment dates are postponed; The computation of the time limits for the commencement of a criminal prosecution, for the return of an indictment and for the calculation of the time period for the commencement of criminal trial are adjourned until April 26.

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CIVIL CASES: Discovery deadlines for all civil cases are extended through April 26, 2020; The time period for issuance of a summons is extended to 60 days; Hearings on involuntary civil commitments are adjourned.

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DISCOVERY: Depositions should be conducted remotely using necessary and available video technology, and court reporters may administer and accept oaths remotely; All court matters including hearings, conferences, and arguments, will be conducted by video or phone conferencing, and in-person appearances will be permitted only in emergency situations; All depositions and appearances for any doctors, nurses, or healthcare professionals involved in responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency are suspended through April 26, 2020; Electronic signatures may be used in all court filings during the COVID-19 crisis.

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FAMILY LAW AND DIVORCE CASES: Discovery in family law and divorce cases is extended through April 26, 2020; Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel (ESP) sessions are postponed.

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LANDLORD/TENANT, MUNICIPAL COURT CASES AND OTHER MATTERS: Landlord/tenant calendars are suspended through April 26, 2020; Special Civil Part and Small Claims trials are suspended through April 26, 2020; Civil Arbitrations have been postponed; Municipal Court sessions are suspended through April 26, 2020.

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The Supreme Court’s March 27th First Omnibus Order is attached here –

Download (PDF, 767KB)

UPDATED ON APRIL 24, 2020 – On April 24, 2020, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued its Second Omnibus Order on Court Operations. The Second Omnibus Order is annexed here –

Download (PDF, 793KB)

UPDATED ON JUNE 29, 2020 – On June 25, 2020, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued its Fifth Omnibus Order on Court Operations and Legal Practice. The Fifth Omnibus Order is annexed here –

Download (PDF, 427KB)

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