The Essex County Family Part Presiding Judge and the four family part judges currently serving on the FM docket recently met with leadership of the Essex County Bar Association and its family practice section to discuss ways to improve communications and efficiency between the bench and the bar concerning cases pending on the FM docket. This memorandum is to detail many of the issues discussed and impart this information to the bar, and to schedule a town hall meeting to be held via Zoom to further discuss these and other items and to engage in a further dialogue with the bar concerning these issues as they impact cases pending in the Essex County FM court.
The town hall meeting will be held on October 26, 2026, commencing at 4:00 p.m. We are in the process of making a request to be able to offer CLE credit for those attending this session.
- Requests for Adjournments. This should be done by letter filed on eCourts with a copy sent via email directly to the Chambers of the judge assigned to the case. Such requests should be made as soon as possible and state whether the adverse party consents and, if there is no consent, state the reason why if known. See also Directive #09-26 dated July 8, 2026, the Statewide Adjournment Protocol issued by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
- Make sure all requests for the entry of consent orders and the entry of FJOD on the papers or requests for uncontested hearing are filed on eCourts with a copy sent via email directly to the Chambers of the judge assigned to the case.
- Counsel should make all efforts to be on time for attendance at hearings held via Zoom. Be prompt.
- Counsel must provide the Chambers with a hard copy of all motion papers and Be cognizant of (i) the pages limitations for certifications set forth in R. 5:5-4(b), and for briefs set forth in R. 1:6-5; (ii) comply with the font size requirements set forth in R.1:4-9; and (iii) use external exhibit tabs on the hard copies sent to Chambers as required by R. 5:5-4(g).
- Motion hearing dates: the Court is aware that filed motions may not be calendared for a hearing for a hearing for several months. If there is a real need to have the motion heard sooner, please reach out to the assigned judge’s law clerk and make that request in writing, preferably with the consent of the adverse party.
- Timely filing of all papers is key, especially concerning motions, cross motions, and replies. If a matter is adjourned and there is a question as to when papers should be filed, reach out to the judge’s law clerk to ask. Note: a cross motion is not permitted unless expressly authorized by the judge assigned to a particular case.
- Trial blitz: the Court is considering moving the trial blitz in Essex County to the March or April time frame, and the Court is cognizant of the holidays. The Court is also considering holding a second trial blitz each year. The Court is considering assigning certain trial blitz cases to a blue-ribbon mediation panel in advance of the trial blitz to foster resolution
- Equitable distribution hearings in default cases are mini trials. Counsel and parties should be prepared to present appropriate admissible evidence (both by testimony and documents) to support the relief sought. Timely filing and service of a notice of proposed final judgment pursuant to R.5:5-10 is important.
- Advise Chambers in advance if an interpreter is needed each time there is a hearing in that case.
- Concerning the use of artificial intelligence, please review the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Committee on Artificial Intelligence Preliminary Guidelines issued on January 24, 2024, and subsequent dates.
- The bench encourages members of the bar practicing family law to become actively involved in the Essex County family law section because this would help further dialogue between the bench and the bar concerning these issues.
- We hope you can attend the Town Hall Meeting on October 26,