|Back to Civil Division|

Civil Division

Overview

The Civil Division umbrella covers three parts of the Superior Court System:

Special Civil Part

The Special Civil Part handles small claims (up to $2,000), tenancy matters, and claims for monetary relief between $2,000 and $10,000. Cases in the Special Civil Part are typically tried by a judge without a jury. There are approximately 430,000 cases filed in the Special Civil Part each year.

Law Division - Civil Part

The Law Division Civil Part handles law suits in which more than $10,000 in damages is claimed. Examples of such cases are those involving automobile accidents, medical malpractice, breach of contract and collection of a debt. Either party in a Civil Part case may request a jury trial. A civil jury typically consists of six persons. There are approximately 130,000 cases filed in the Civil Part each year.

Chancery Division - General Equity Part

The Chancery Division - General Equity Part handles claims for non-monetary relief, such as labor injunctions, foreclosures and dissolution of a corporation or partnership. General Equity cases are tried by a judge without a jury. There are approximately 6,000 cases filed in General Equity each year.

Top of Page