Judiciary issues order to continue remote proceedings, raising NJSBA concerns

As the state's shelter-in-place orders continue pursuant to Governor Phil Murphy's Executive Order 103, the courts continue to modify deadlines and clarify prior orders in an effort to maintain court services.

The Judiciary's April 20 order lays out guidance on a number of issues to continue court proceedings, and has led the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) to urge the New Jersey Supreme Court to focus on a plan to address matters such as discovery deadlines and other time frames following a suspension of the shelter-in-place orders by the governor. At the time this report was prepared, no plan had been issued.

"In less than a week, the Court's Omnibus Order formally suspending other court proceedings, extending deadlines and tolling time periods will expire, as will the time frames contained in several other orders and notices from the Court," said NJSBA President Evelyn Padin in a letter to Chief Justice Stuart Rabner.