Notice of Appearance - New Jersey

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

State of New Jersey Superior Court

PART I: COURT AND CAPTION

Court: ☐ Superior Court of New Jersey ☐ Tax Court of New Jersey

Division and Part: [________________________________]

County: [________________________________]

Docket No.: [________________________________]

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE

PART II: APPEARANCE STATEMENT

TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT AND ALL PARTIES OF RECORD:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the undersigned attorney hereby enters a general appearance on behalf of:

Client Name: [________________________________]

Party Designation:
☐ Plaintiff
☐ Defendant
☐ Third-Party Plaintiff
☐ Third-Party Defendant
☐ Intervenor
☐ Cross-Claimant
☐ Counter-Claimant
☐ Petitioner
☐ Respondent
☐ Appellant
☐ Other: [________________________________]

pursuant to N.J. Court Rules 1:4-1, 1:4-4, and 1:5-1.

Please direct all pleadings, motions, notices, briefs, discovery requests, correspondence, and orders to the undersigned at the address set forth below.

PART III: ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Required pursuant to R. 1:4-1(b). Post office box numbers are not acceptable in lieu of a street address.

Attorney Name: [________________________________]

New Jersey Attorney ID Number: [________________________________]

Firm Name: [________________________________]

Office Address:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________], New Jersey [__________]

Telephone: [________________________________]

Facsimile: [________________________________]

Email Address: [________________________________]

PART IV: ELECTRONIC SERVICE DESIGNATION

Pursuant to R. 1:5-1 and eCourts/JEDS protocols

Consent to Electronic Service

☐ I CONSENT to electronic service via the New Jersey eCourts system.

☐ I DO NOT CONSENT to electronic service and request that all documents be served by traditional methods pursuant to R. 1:5-2.

eCourts Registration Status

☐ I am registered with eCourts and have agreed to the Terms and Conditions of eCourts Participation.

☐ I am not yet registered with eCourts but will complete registration within [____] days of filing this appearance.

Electronic Service Email Address

If consenting to electronic service, service shall be directed to the following email address:

Email for eCourts/Electronic Service: [________________________________]

☐ This email address is the same as my attorney registration email address.

☐ This email address is different from my attorney registration email address.

PART V: PRO HAC VICE APPEARANCE

Pursuant to R. 1:21-2

☐ This section does not apply. The undersigned is admitted to practice in New Jersey.

☐ The undersigned seeks admission pro hac vice and submits the following:

Out-of-State Attorney Information

Name: [________________________________]

Bar Admissions (list all jurisdictions and dates of admission):

Office Address:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________], [____] [__________]

Telephone: [________________________________]

Email: [________________________________]

New Jersey Sponsoring Attorney

Name: [________________________________]

New Jersey Attorney ID Number: [________________________________]

Firm Name: [________________________________]

Office Address:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________], New Jersey [__________]

Telephone: [________________________________]

Email: [________________________________]

Pro Hac Vice Affidavit/Certification

The out-of-state attorney certifies:

☐ I am a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court in my state of domicile and in all other jurisdictions where I am admitted.

☐ I am not currently suspended or disbarred in any jurisdiction.

☐ There are no pending disciplinary proceedings against me in any jurisdiction.

OR

☐ The following disciplinary proceedings are pending or have concluded:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

☐ My client has specifically requested my representation in this matter.

☐ I consent to the appointment of the Clerk of the Supreme Court of New Jersey as my agent for service of process for all papers relating to this matter.

☐ I agree to familiarize myself with and abide by the New Jersey Rules of Court and Rules of Professional Conduct.

☐ I understand that permission to appear pro hac vice may be revoked at any time for good cause.

Pro Hac Vice Fee

☐ The required pro hac vice admission fee has been paid.

Fee amount: $[________] Receipt/Transaction Number: [________________]

PART VI: ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify as follows:

1. I am an attorney admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey (or seek pro hac vice admission as set forth above).

2. I am authorized to represent the above-named party in this matter.

3. My New Jersey Attorney ID number, office address, telephone number, and email address are accurately set forth above, and I will notify the Court and all parties of any changes during the pendency of this action pursuant to R. 1:4-1(b).

4. I have reviewed the pleadings filed in this matter and am prepared to proceed with representation of my client.

5. I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment.

PART VII: SIGNATURE

Dated: [________________________________]

[________________________________]
[Law Firm Name]

By: ________________________________________
[________________________________]
Attorney for [________________________________]
New Jersey Attorney ID: [________________]

PART VIII: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on [__/__/____], I served a true copy of this Notice of Appearance upon the following parties by the method indicated:

Service Method

☐ eCourts Electronic Service (for parties who have consented)
☐ Email (attach consent or agreement)
☐ First-Class Mail, postage prepaid
☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested (and simultaneous regular mail)
☐ Personal Service/Hand Delivery
☐ Commercial Courier Service
☐ Facsimile (if agreed to by recipient)

Parties Served

I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment.

________________________________________
[________________________________]
New Jersey Attorney ID: [________________]

PART IX: CONSENT TO ELECTRONIC SERVICE FORM

Separate form for parties not yet registered with eCourts

CONSENT TO RECEIVE ELECTRONIC SERVICE

Caption: [Insert case caption from above]

Docket No.: [________________________________]

The undersigned party/attorney hereby consents to receive service of all documents in this matter by electronic means, including but not limited to email, in lieu of service by mail or personal delivery as otherwise required by N.J. Court Rules 1:5-1 and 1:5-2.

Email Address for Service: [________________________________]

Secondary Email (optional): [________________________________]

I understand that:

1. Electronic service is complete upon transmission pursuant to R. 1:5-4.

2. I am responsible for ensuring that the email address provided remains active and is regularly monitored.

3. I must immediately notify all parties and the Court of any change to my email address.

4. I may revoke this consent by filing a written notice with the Court and serving all parties.

Dated: [________________________________]

________________________________________
Signature

[________________________________]
Printed Name

[________________________________]
Party Represented (if attorney)

[________________________________]
New Jersey Attorney ID (if applicable)

PRACTICE NOTES

Filing Fees by Division (as of 2026 - verify current amounts)

Additional fees:

• Cross-Claim, Counterclaim, Third-Party Complaint: $75.00
• Amended Complaint containing new claims: $75.00
• Credit card processing fee: 3% of transaction amount
• Pro hac vice admission fee: Verify current amount with Court

eCourts Registration Requirements

Mandatory Electronic Filing:

• Attorneys must file electronically through eCourts for most civil matters, including Law Division Civil Part, Chancery Division General Equity, Tax Court, and Appellate Division.
• Attorneys must register at the New Jersey Courts eCourts portal and agree to the Terms and Conditions of eCourts Participation.
• Attorneys must certify acceptance of electronic service as part of registration.

JACS Account:

• Attorneys filing fee-bearing documents must establish a Judiciary Account Charge System (JACS) collateral account.
• Self-represented parties may use JEDS (Judiciary Electronic Document Submission) with credit/debit card or ACH payment.

Registration Process:

1. Access the New Jersey Courts website (njcourts.gov)
2. Navigate to eCourts Attorney Registration
3. Complete attorney profile with bar ID credentials
4. Accept Terms and Conditions
5. Establish JACS account for fee payments
6. Verify contact information matches attorney registration records

Complex Business Litigation Program (CBLP) Procedures

Eligibility:

• Amount in controversy of at least $200,000; AND
• Case involves complex commercial or complex construction issues

Self-Designation:

• Parties designate CBLP eligibility on the Civil Case Information Statement
• Must specify whether matter is complex commercial or complex construction

Excluded Case Types:

• General equity cases
• Consumer disputes
• Labor organization matters
• Personal injury cases
• Condemnation proceedings
• Cases involving government parties

CBLP Case Management:

• Assigned to designated CBLP judge in each vicinage
• Subject to CBLP Case Management Guidelines and Model Orders
• Enhanced discovery and case management procedures apply

Withdrawal Requirements Under R. 1:11-2

Before Trial Date Fixed:

• Attorney may withdraw with client's written consent
• Must file Substitution of Attorney naming replacement counsel OR indicating client will appear pro se
• No court approval required if properly filed

After Trial Date Fixed:

• Requires client's written consent
• Substitution of Attorney executed by BOTH withdrawing and substituting attorney
• Written waiver from all other parties of notice and right to be heard
• Joint certification that withdrawal will not cause delay
• Court approval may be required if above conditions not met

Criminal Actions (additional requirement):

• Withdrawing attorney must certify that all discovery received from prosecutor has been provided to substituting attorney

Substitution of Attorney Procedures

Voluntary Substitution:

1. New attorney prepares Substitution of Attorney form

2. Obtain signatures from:

   • Client
   • Withdrawing attorney
   • Substituting attorney (if applicable)

3. File with Court and serve on all parties

4. If after trial date fixed, obtain waivers and certifications per R. 1:11-2(a)

Filing Requirements:

• Substitution must be filed "promptly" after retention
• Include new attorney's full contact information per R. 1:4-1
• Serve all parties pursuant to R. 1:5-1

Firm Name Changes:

• Per R. 1:11-2(b), if a firm changes only its entity designation (e.g., partnership to LLC or PC), no substitution filing is required if:
• The firm name remains essentially unchanged
• Only the entity designation is modified

Family Part Specific Requirements

FM (Dissolution) Cases:

• Must file Confidential Litigant Information Sheet (CLIS) with initial complaint or responsive pleading
• Failure to file CLIS within 10 days of deficiency notice may result in dismissal
• Case assigned to Expedited, Standard, or Priority track based on complexity and custody disputes

FD (Non-Dissolution) Cases:

• CLIS also required effective November 8, 2024
• Different procedural requirements may apply based on specific case type (support, custody, etc.)

Tax Court Specific Requirements

Filing Platform:

• Tax Court matters are filed through eCourts
• Subject to same electronic filing requirements as other civil matters

Docket Numbers:

• Vary by type of tax appeal
• Ensure correct docket prefix based on tax type (local property tax, state tax, etc.)

Special Civil Part Procedures

Jurisdictional Limits:

• Claims for amounts up to $20,000 (New Jersey Courts, Special Civil Part overview)
• Simplified pleading and discovery rules apply

Appearance in Lieu of Pleading:

• $30 fee applies for filing appearance in lieu of responsive pleading
• Must still comply with all appearance requirements

Important Deadlines

Service of Notice of Appearance:

• Serve on all parties promptly after filing
• Provide proof of service per R. 1:5-3

Change of Address:

• Must notify Court and all parties immediately of any change to contact information during pendency of action (R. 1:4-1(b))

Orders:

• Serve copies of all orders within seven (7) days of signing per R. 1:5-1

Verify the filing division, fees, service method, and current rules with the New Jersey Courts before filing.