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ESSEXCOUNTYLANDLORD TENANTCASES BEINGTRANSFERRED TO MONMOUTH, OCEAN,AND UNIONVICINAGES
On March 7, 2023, theNew JerseySupreme CourtannouncedthatLandlord-Tenantcomplaints filedin Essex Countywouldbe transferred to Monmouth, Ocean, andUnion Counties fortrial. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below to helpyou understand whatthis means. The fullorderis available here.
Please note, these FAQs were assembledbyVolunteerLawyers for Justice (VLJ) for informational purposes only. Thisdocumentisnot intendedaslegaladvice and does notreplace consultingwitha lawyeraboutspecific factsand circumstances This documentisnotasolicitation, and your use ofthis document doesnotcreate anyattorney-clientrelationshipbetweenyouandVLJ.
WhatisaLandlord-Tenantcase?
Landlord-tenantcasesareanother name for evictioncases. If a landlord wantstorequire atenanttoleave alawfully rented housingunit, the landlordmustfile acaseinLandlord-Tenant Court.
WhatisaVicinage?
Avicinage isanareawhereatrial isbeing held. InNew Jersey, vicinages aredeterminedbycounty.
Will mycasebe transferred?
If youare atenantliving inEssex Countywitha Landlord-Tenantcase (anycase where the docket number starts with "ESX-LT") filedbetween January 1, 2023andApril30, 2023, your case willbe transferredto adifferentcounty, andthecountyit istransferredtowillhandle yourcasemanagement conferenceandyourtrial.
Howdo I know when my case was filed?
Tofigure outwhenyourcase wasfiled, pleaserefertothe complaintandsummonsyoureceivedby mail. Atthe verytop ofthedocuments, thereisatyped linewith yourdocket number, followedbya date and time. Thisisthedate andtime whenthe complaint was filed.
For example, the Landlord-Tenantcasebelowwasfiled on 1/12/2023 or January 12, 2023.
ESX-LT-00--23 01/12/202312:48:57AM Pg1of6 TransID:SCP2023-
Whichcountywill mycase betransferredto?
Please see the chartbelow todetermine thecounty (vicinage) where yourcasewillbetransferred.
Mylandlord/the plaintiffis Mylandlord/the plaintiffis Newark Housing Authority NOTNewarkHousing Authority
Itwas filedbetween Your case willbetransferred to Your case willbe transferred to January 1and February 28, 2023 Monmouth County Monmouth County
Itwas filedbetween Your case willbetransferredto Your case willbe transferred to March1and March31,2023 Monmouth County OceanCounty
Itwas filedbetween Your case willbetransferred to Your case willbe transferred to April 1and April 30,2023 Monmouth County Union County
Ifmy caseis transferred to Ocean,Monmouth,or Union County,does that mean I have to go to that county to fight my case?
No! All courtproceedingsincludingcasemanagement conferencesandtrialswillbeheldvirtuallyfor transferredcases.Thecourt willprovideyouwithinstructionsor alinkforyourvirtualproceeding(s).
Howwill I knowifmycase is transferred?
Youwill receive anotice fromthecourt.Even ifyou don'tseeanotice, allcases filedbetweenJanuary1, 2023and April 30, 2023will be transferredaccordingtothetableabove.
I dido't get my complaint yet andmy case was filed betweenJanuary 1,2023and April 30, 2023?
Your transfernotice willbe servedthroughpersonalserviceandregular mail, ifyouare notaregistered userofeCourts. Please regularlycheckyour mail. Ifyou are aregisteredeCourtsuser, noticewillbe providedelectronicallythrougheCourts,sopleasecheckyouremailregularly(includingjunk folder).
Tolearn howtoregisterforeCourtsaccessforself-representedlitigants, pleaseclickhere
What ifl don't have the technology to take part in virtual proceedings?
Contact theEssex CountyVicinage to ask aboutusingone oftechnologyroomsintheEssex County Courthouse.Call973-776-9300ext. 57007oremailEsxTechRooms.Mailbox@NJCourts.gov
Most tenantswillnot begivenan in-persontrial.Tenantswithdisabilitieswho needanaccommodation canaskfor anin-person trial. Callthenewvicinage whereyourcasewastransferredtorequest the accommodation.
What happens after my virtualtrialin Monmouth,Ocean,or Union County?
Afterthecasereceives adisposition, whichmeansthecaseissettledor ajudge makesafinaldecision (entersajudgment ofpossession), thecasewill betransferredback toEssex County. Ifajudgmenthas beenenteredagainstthe tenant, itwillbe EssexCountycourtofficerswhoservethe Warrant ofRemoval.
What if I need to file something with the Court after a settlement or trial?
Anyrequestmade tothecourt after ajudgmentisentered, like asking the court todelayorstopthe lockout, will bemadein Essex Countyoncethe caseis transferred back. The court generally requires a tenantreceive a WarrantforRemoval, thecourtdocument tellingthetenant whenalockoutcanoccur, beforeitwillconsiderany post-judgment motions fromthetenant.
Who should I contact if I don't get the information for my Case Management Conference?
Ifyouknow thecountyyour case wastransferredto, youshouldcall thatcounty if youhavedifficulty accessingyour CaseManagementConference.Thephone numberstocallare:
Monmouth County: (732) 358-8700, extension 87905
OceanCounty: (732) 504-0700, extension 64360
Union County: (908) 787-1650, extension22160
A directoryofNewJerseyCourtsvicinages canbefoundhere.
What if I needlegalhelpand want to speak with an attorney?
Ifyou are residentialtenantinEssex County and wouldliketoreceivelegal advice from an attorney, you can apply forserviceswith VLJ bycallingourTenancyHotlineat(973)943-4754on Wednesdays between 9AMand 4PMEastern. SinceVLJis anon-profitlegalservicesorganization, callerswillbe screenedforeligibility.