New Jersey Supreme Court Issues Statement Addressing Judicial Vacancies, Backlogs

Newark, N.J. (February 10, 2023) - New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner recently issued a statement indicating that due to "the current high number of judicial vacancies, trials in the Civil Division and matrimonial trials will not be conducted in [Vicinage 13 or Vicinage 15], beginning Feb. 21, 2023, except for very limited circumstances."

Describing the rationale for the edict, the statement notes that the 69 vacancies in the trial courts impose "heightened responsibilities on sitting judges who handle thousands of proceedings and motions each month." It also explains that the effects of the COVID-19 crisis and the sustained number of judicial vacancies over the last three years has led to delays and "substantial increases in backlog."