General Civil Case Cover Sheet

CIVIL CASE INFORMATION STATEMENT (CIS)

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY

CN 10517

Filing Requirement Notice: Under N.J. Ct. R. 4:5-1(b)(1), a Civil Case Information Statement (CIS) must be filed with every initial pleading in the Law Division, Civil Part of the Superior Court of New Jersey. Pleadings will be rejected under N.J. Ct. R. 1:5-6(c) if the information above the form's black bar is not completed or the attorney's signature is not affixed. A CIS must be filed with first pleadings only — "pleadings" do not include motions (R. 4:5-1(a)). The CIS must be signed by an attorney admitted in New Jersey or a pro se party where pro se appearance is permitted.

I. COURT AND CASE IDENTIFICATION

II. CASE CAPTION

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
[☐ LAW ☐ CHANCERY] DIVISION, [________________________________] COUNTY

Docket No. ________________________

[________________________________],
Plaintiff(s),

v.

[________________________________],
Defendant(s).

CIVIL CASE INFORMATION STATEMENT

III. FILER IDENTITY

IV. PARTY INFORMATION

A. Plaintiff(s)

☐ Additional plaintiffs listed on attached rider

B. Defendant(s)

☐ Additional defendants listed on attached rider

V. ATTORNEY / PRO SE INFORMATION

A. Attorney for Filing Party

B. Attorney for Opposing Party (if known)

C. Pro Se Litigant

☐ Filing party is self-represented (where permitted under Rules of Court)

VI. CASE TYPE AND TRACK ASSIGNMENT

Select ONE case type code. The case type determines the discovery track under N.J. Ct. R. 4:24-1. Track assignments govern the length of the discovery period and overall case management timeline.

Track I — Expedited (150-day discovery period)

Track II — Standard (300-day discovery period)

Track III — Complex (450-day discovery period)

Track IV — Multicounty Litigation (MCL — discovery per MCL order)

Other / Special

Selected Case Type Number: [____]
Proposed Track: ☐ I ☐ II ☐ III ☐ IV ☐ Other

VII. AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY AND RELIEF SOUGHT

A. Monetary Relief

B. Non-Monetary Relief

☐ Declaratory judgment
☐ Injunctive relief
☐ Specific performance
☐ Quiet title
☐ Other (specify): [________________________________]

VIII. JURY DEMAND

☐ Jury trial demanded
☐ No jury demand at this time

NJ Jury Demand Rules:

• Under N.J. Ct. R. 4:35-1, a party may demand a jury trial by including the demand in the pleading or by serving a written demand within 10 days after service of the last pleading directed to the issue.
• A jury demand fee of $50.00 is payable at the time of demand.
• Failure to make a timely demand constitutes a waiver of the right to jury trial unless the court grants relief.

Estimated length of trial: [____] days

IX. RELATED MATTERS AND SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS

1. Related pending cases in New Jersey state or federal courts?
   ☐ No
   ☐ Yes — provide: [________________________________]

2. Pending arbitration or mediation?
   ☐ No
   ☐ Yes

3. Constitutional or statutory challenge?
   ☐ No
   ☐ Yes — Attorney General must be served per N.J. Ct. R. 4:28-4

4. Professional malpractice case requiring Affidavit of Merit?
   ☐ No
   ☐ Yes — Affidavit of Merit must be served within 60 days of defendant's answer (N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-27)

5. Multicounty Litigation (MCL) designation requested?
   ☐ No
   ☐ Yes — Submit Notice to AOC per Directive #08-12

6. Injunctive / declaratory relief sought?
   ☐ No
   ☐ Yes — specify: [________________________________]

X. SERVICE INFORMATION

Service Notes:

• Under R. 4:4-1, a summons must be issued by the Clerk within 15 days of filing the complaint.
• Service must be effected within the time limits set by the applicable rules. Failure to serve may result in dismissal for lack of prosecution.

XI. FILING FEES

Filing fees for the Superior Court of New Jersey are established by N.J.S.A. Title 22A and the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Law Division — Civil Part Fee Schedule:

Chancery Division — General Equity:

Important: Verify current fees at https://www.njcourts.gov before tendering payment. Electronic filings through eCourts auto-calculate fees. Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties.

☐ Filing fee tendered: $[________________________________]
☐ Fee waiver application filed

XII. ELECTRONIC FILING — eCOURTS

New Jersey uses the eCourts system for electronic filing in the Superior Court.

eCourts Filing Requirements:

• Attorneys: Electronic filing through eCourts is mandatory for all attorneys.
• Pro Se Litigants: May file in paper at the Clerk's Office.
• Document Format: PDF; follow eCourts formatting and file size guidelines.
• CIS Upload: The Civil Case Information Statement must be filed as a separate document linked to the initiating pleading.
• Service: Electronic service through eCourts is available for registered users.
• Fee Payment: eCourts auto-calculates and collects fees electronically.

eCourts Website: https://portal.njcourts.gov

☐ Filing submitted electronically via eCourts
☐ Filing submitted in paper at the Clerk's Office

XIII. ATTORNEY / PRO SE CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to N.J. Ct. R. 4:5-1(b)(2), the undersigned certifies that:

1. The matter in controversy is not the subject of any other action pending in any court or arbitration forum, nor is any such action contemplated; or an explanation of related proceedings is attached;
2. Every party named herein is correctly joined, and I have made diligent inquiry to identify all indispensable parties;
3. Within 30 days after service of the first responsive pleading, I will file and serve on all parties a supplemental statement identifying any known insurance coverage or third-party contractual indemnity that may apply (N.J. Ct. R. 4:5-1(b)(2));
4. The information provided in this Civil Case Information Statement is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief; and
5. I have reviewed the applicable New Jersey Court Rules, statutes, and AOC directives.

XIV. CLERK'S OFFICE USE ONLY

XV. PRACTICE TIPS AND GUIDANCE

Track Assignments and Discovery Periods (R. 4:24-1)

1. Track I (Expedited): 150-day discovery period. Applies to simple auto negligence, routine personal injury, and small commercial disputes.
2. Track II (Standard): 300-day discovery period. Applies to most tort and contract cases, employment disputes, and premises liability.
3. Track III (Complex): 450-day discovery period. Applies to class actions, environmental/toxic tort, medical malpractice, and professional malpractice.
4. Track IV (MCL): Discovery governed by the MCL order. Applies to designated multicounty litigation matters.
5. Calendar the discovery end date upon receipt of the Clerk's Notice of Track Assignment. Extensions require court approval.

Affidavit of Merit (N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-27)

6. In professional malpractice cases (medical, legal, engineering, etc.), the plaintiff must serve an Affidavit of Merit from a qualified expert within 60 days of the defendant's answer.
7. Failure to serve the Affidavit of Merit within the required time is deemed a failure to state a cause of action and results in dismissal with prejudice (N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-29).
8. One 60-day extension is available for good cause.

Constitutional Challenges (R. 4:28-4)

9. If the validity of a state statute or regulation is challenged, the Attorney General must be served and given an opportunity to intervene.
10. A notice of constitutional question must be filed with the complaint.

Venue

11. Venue is generally proper in the county where the cause of action arose or where any defendant resides (N.J. Ct. R. 4:3-2).
12. Contract actions may also be brought where the contract was made or was to be performed.
13. A motion to transfer venue must be filed within 60 days of the filing of the answer.

Insurance Disclosure (R. 4:5-1(b)(2))

14. Within 30 days of the first responsive pleading, the filing party must serve a supplemental statement identifying all known insurance coverage or indemnity agreements applicable to the claims.

Sources and References

• N.J. Ct. R. 4:5-1 (CIS Requirement): https://www.njcourts.gov/attorneys/rules-of-court
• Civil Case Information Statement Form (CN 10517): https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/forms/10517_civil_cis.pdf
• NJ eCourts Filing Portal: https://portal.njcourts.gov
• N.J.S.A. 22A:2-25 (Law Division Filing Fees): https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-22a/section-22a-2-25/
• N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-27 (Affidavit of Merit): https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-2a/
• NJ Courts — Filing Fees List: https://www.njcourts.gov/attorneys/ecourts/list-of-fees
• NJ Courts — Civil Lawsuits Over $20,000: https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help/civil-court
• AOC Directive #08-12 (MCL Procedures): https://www.njcourts.gov

This template is provided for informational and drafting purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Practitioners must verify all case type codes, track assignments, filing fees, and procedural requirements against the current New Jersey Court Rules, statutes, and AOC directives before filing. The Civil Case Information Statement is an administrative document; it neither expands nor limits the pleadings.