Supplement to Directive #20-19 - Family - Revised Non-Dissolution (FD) Complex Track Case Management Order (CN 12092)

This Supplement to Directive #20-19 revises the Non-Dissolution (FD) Complex Track Case Management Order (CN 12092). The Supreme Court Special Committee on the Non-Dissolution (FD) Docket recommended several amendments to the Order, as detailed on pages 8-9 of the Special Committee's September 2022 report. As announced in an August 9, 2023 notice, the Supreme Court approved this recommendation.

The attached revised FD Complex Track Case Management Order supersedes the version of the order issued by Directive #20-19. The remainder of the directive remains unchanged. Amendments to the order include the addition of the following:

(1) description of the event prompting the entry of the order;
(2) reasons why the court considers the case to be complex;
(3) additional discovery options;
(4) option to appoint a guardian ad litem for the child, if necessary; and
(5) option to appoint an attorney for the child, if necessary.

The revised order improves opportunities for the parties to present, and the court to hear, evidence necessary for the court to conduct a plenary hearing. This improves access to justice and fairness, particularly for self-represented litigants, who constitute a substantial portion of filers in the FD docket. The amendments are intended to ensure that all participants, regardless of whether or not they have legal representation, are afforded the same trial preparation and discovery opportunities.

The revised order is posted online at njcourts.gov.