Understanding What the Civil Part Means for your New Jersey Lawsuit
Key Takeaways for Business Owners
If your lawsuit’s docket number starts with an “L,” your case is in the Civil Part of the Law Division, the court that handles full-scale civil actions in New Jersey.
The Civil Part is where higher-value cases go, including business disputes, contract claims, and professional liability suits.
Expect longer timelines and formal discovery rules; cases here often take months or even years before trial.
Your business must be represented by an attorney licensed in New Jersey; you cannot appear on behalf of your company.
What the Civil Part Means for Your Business Lawsuit in New Jersey
If the docket number on your lawsuit starts with an “L,” your case has been assigned to the Civil Part of the Law Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey. That means you’re not in the Small Claims Section or the Special Civil Part, which handle lower-value claims. You’re in the Civil Part, where higher-value, full-scale civil actions are heard.
This is where serious cases go, and it comes with strict timelines, detailed rules, and formal court procedures. In this guide, the next page of our business litigation series, we’ll walk you through how the Civil Part works, what happens once your case is assigned, and what you need to do to protect your business.
How to Know if Your Case Is in the Civil Part
The first clue is your Summons. At the top, you’ll see a docket number. It usually starts with the name or abbreviation of the county where the case is being filed, followed by a letter and a string of numbers. If that letter is “L,” your case has been assigned to the Civil Part of the Law Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey.
The Complaint itself can also tell you a lot. Look at the section where the plaintiff explains what they want from you. If they’re asking for more than $20,000, the case has been assigned to the Civil Part. That’s where higher-value civil actions are handled in the formal setting of New Jersey courts.
If the claim is somewhere above $5,000 up to $20,000, the case likely falls under the Special Civil Part. And if the amount is $5,000 or less, then it belongs in the Small Claims Section of the Special Civil Part. The dollar figure helps the court decide which part is responsible for hearing the case and which rules will apply.
What to Expect From the Civil Part of the Law Division of the NJ Superior Court
Now that you know your case has been assigned to the Civil Part of the Law Division in New Jersey, it’s time to understand what that means for you as a business owner. Of the three main court settings in the Law Division, this is the one built for high-stakes cases.
The Documents You Received
Before anything else, turn to the documents that came with your lawsuit.
The Summons
This is the official notice from the court that a civil action has been filed against your business. It includes instructions and timelines, including how many days you have to reply.
The Complaint
This is the first pleading. It lays out what the plaintiff says you did and what they’re asking the court to award. While the legal language might feel dense, pay close attention to what kind of relief they’re seeking.
The Civil Case Information Statement (CIS)
The CIS is a required filing in all New Jersey courts handling civil actions. It tells the court what kind of case this is and helps assign it to a litigation track.
Together, these papers confirm the kind of courtroom process you're stepping into.
You’re Stepping Into a Court Designed for Serious Civil Cases
The case you’re facing likely falls into one of the following categories:
Commercial and Business Disputes
Most high-value civil actions between businesses are heard in the Civil Part of the Law Division in New Jersey. Common examples include:
Breach of contract claims
Disputes over goods or services
Partnership or shareholder conflicts (where money is at stake)
Business torts like fraud or misrepresentation
Tort Claims Against Your Business
If someone was seriously injured and believes your business is at fault, the lawsuit likely landed here. These are a few examples:
Auto accident lawsuits involving your company vehicle
Slip-and-fall or premises liability claims
Product liability cases
Wrongful death lawsuits
Professional Malpractice
If you or someone on your team provided a professional service that caused harm, physical or financial, the Civil Part handles those claims. This includes:
Medical malpractice suits
Legal malpractice actions
Negligence claims involving engineers, accountants, or other licensed professionals
Employment and Labor Disputes
Employers can be sued here for:
Wrongful termination
Wage and hour violations
Workplace discrimination
Insurance and Coverage Disputes
This court also hears cases involving:
Denied coverage
Liability and indemnity disputes
Breach of insurance contracts
Key Events to Expect
Cases in the Civil Part of the Law Division of New Jersey move more slowly than those in Special Civil Part. Because these are higher-stakes civil actions, the timeline is longer and cases can run anywhere from several months to over a year, depending on complexity, motions, and trial scheduling.
Here’s how the process usually begins:
Stage 1: Filing and Service
Your case starts when the plaintiff files two documents with the court:
A Complaint, which lays out the legal claims against you
A Civil Case Information Statement, which helps the court classify the case and assign it to a track
Once those are filed, the court arranges for you to be served with the Summons and a copy of the Complaint. This is your formal notice that a lawsuit has been filed and that your business has been named as the defendant.
Stage 2: Your Answer or First Motion
Once you’ve been served, the next move is yours. In New Jersey courts, you have 35 days to respond, either by filing an answer to the complaint or by submitting a motion to dismiss.
Keep in mind that corporations and LLCs must be represented by a licensed attorney. You can’t represent the company yourself in the Civil Part, even if you’re the owner.
Stage 3: Track Assignment Notice
Once your answer or motion has been filed, the court will issue something called a Track Assignment Notice. This document sets the pace for your case and helps the judge manage what comes next.
In New Jersey courts, civil cases are divided into four litigation tracks based on complexity:
Track I – Simple cases with 150 days of discovery
Track II – Standard cases with 300 days of discovery
Track III – Complex cases with 450 days of discovery
Track IV – Very complex matters with 450 days of discovery + active case management
The track you’re assigned to affects your deadlines, the length of the discovery period, and whether the court will schedule early conferences or management meetings.
Stage 4: Discovery
This is where the court begins digging into the facts. Unlike the Special Civil Part, where things move fast and formal discovery is limited or skipped, the Civil Part of the Law Division in New Jersey gives both sides full access to the discovery process.
Expect a rule-driven phase that can stretch for months. This is the stage where legal teams test claims, build defenses, and start shaping how the trial (if it happens) will play out.
Here’s what you might see:
Interrogatories
These are written questions sent by the opposing side. You must respond under oath within a deadline. Your lawyer will help prepare these answers, but you’ll need to provide the facts.
Requests for production
These are formal demands to hand over specific documents, contracts, photos, emails, or records that relate to the dispute. Failing to respond or withholding documents can backfire.
Depositions
These are live, recorded sessions where testimony is taken under oath. It could be you, your employees, or even third parties. A court reporter is present, and the questions can be extensive.
Expert testimony
If your case involves technical or professional issues, both sides may hire expert witnesses. These specialists must provide detailed reports, which become part of the case file. Experts may also be subject to depositions.
Discovery is where most civil actions in New Jersey start to take shape. It’s also one of the most time-intensive stages.
Stage 5: Motions
As your case unfolds, one or both sides may file what are called motions, formal legal requests asking the court to decide something before trial. In the Civil Part, motions are a key part of how cases are shaped. They can streamline the process, resolve disputes early, or put pressure on the opposing party.
Here are a few common types:
Motion to dismiss
A request to throw out the case is usually made because the complaint fails to state a legal claim.
Motion to compel
Filed when the other party refuses to comply with discovery. This motion asks the court to force compliance.
Motion for summary judgment
Used when one side believes there’s no real dispute over the material facts and asks the court to rule without holding a trial.
Each motion plays a specific role in civil litigation, and how the judge rules can change the direction of the case. For a deeper explanation of how motions work in New Jersey courts, read our article on Pretrial Motions in Civil Actions.
Stage 6: Arbitration
Cases involving personal injury or auto accident lawsuits may be diverted to a mandatory arbitration program. If that happens, a neutral arbitrator, not a judge, will hear the case and issue a non-binding decision.
Either side can reject that result and return to the regular court process for a full trial. Cases involving commercial contracts, professional malpractice, or other complex business disputes are rarely assigned to arbitration in this part of the court.
Stage 7: Trial
Most civil actions filed in the Civil Part of the Law Division in New Jersey resolve before trial, often through settlement or rulings on motions. But if the case isn’t resolved, it will eventually head to trial. Depending on the nature of the dispute and the relief requested, that trial may be heard by a judge (called a bench trial) or by a jury selected from the county where the case was filed.
Trials in this part of the court are formal and structured. Each side presents evidence, questions witnesses, and makes legal arguments. The court is responsible for managing the schedule and ensuring the rules are followed throughout the process.
Final Thoughts
Our firm represents business owners facing litigation in the Civil Part and the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court of New Jersey court system. If you've been served with a Summons or aren’t sure how to respond, we can help you take the right steps before critical deadlines pass.
Not every case is about collecting money. When the goal of the lawsuit is to force your business to act, or stop acting, the plaintiff may bring the case in the General Equity Part of the Chancery Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey. That court follows a different structure, pace, and set of expectations. In the next article, we’ll explain how it works and what business owners need to watch for
Are you wondering about any of the issues mentioned above? Please email us at Info@staturelegal.law or call (732) 320-9831 for assistance.
At Stature Legal, we give business owners the clarity they need to fund, grow, protect, and sell their businesses. We are trustworthy business advisors keeping your business on TRACK: Trustworthy. Reliable. Available. Caring. Knowledgeable.®
FAQs
How Long Do Cases in the Civil Part of the Law Division Usually Take?
It depends on the litigation track to which your case is assigned. Most civil actions in New Jersey courts take several months to a year or more. Track III and Track IV cases can involve 300 to 450 days of discovery before a trial is even scheduled.
Can I Represent My Business in Court Without Hiring a Lawyer?
No. In the Civil Part of the Law Division in New Jersey, businesses, including LLCs and corporations, must be represented by an attorney licensed in New Jersey. The court will reject filings made by business owners who attempt to represent their company without counsel.
What Happens if I Miss the 35-Day Deadline to Respond to the Summons and Complaint?
If you don’t respond in time, the plaintiff can ask the court to enter a default against your business. That means the court may grant them the relief they asked for without hearing your side. Missing this deadline is one of the most serious early mistakes a business owner can make.
Is There a Difference Between the Civil Part and the Special Civil Part?
Yes. The Civil Part handles higher-value civil actions, typically where the amount in controversy exceeds $20,000. The Special Civil Part handles smaller lawsuits, usually between $5,000 and $20,000. The rules, procedures, and timelines are much stricter and longer in the Civil Part.
Can My Case Be Moved to a Different Part of the Court?
Generally, no, unless there’s been a mistake in how the case was filed or if the court determines that a different division is more appropriate. The dollar amount of the claim and the type of relief requested usually determine which court is responsible for handling the case.
What Should I Be Doing While the Case Is Pending?
You and your legal team should be actively preparing — preserving records, organizing documents, identifying potential witnesses, and responding to discovery requests. The Civil Part expects both sides to follow detailed rules and meet strict deadlines, even before the trial begins.