Law Division

The Law Division of the Superior Court consists of the Civil, Special Civil and Criminal Parts.

Civil Part
The Civil Part has jurisdiction over all civil cases where the principal relief sought is legal in nature and it may grant incidental equitable relief so that a case may be fully decided in one forum.

Special Civil Part
The Special Civil Part essentially succeeded to the jurisdiction of the former county district courts. Cases may be filed in the Special Civil Part where the amount in controversy does not exceed $15,000 (or more if the plaintiff waives the excess). It also has a small claims section for cases involving less than $3000 and a landlord-tenant section to adjudicate summary dispossess actions.

The Special Civl Part is designed to provide expedited and somewhat relaxed proceedings in smaller cases. The Special Civil Part has its own clerk in each county (rather than relying upon the Superior Court clerk's office) and many forms are available.

Criminal Part
The Criminal Part handles all indictable criminal cases and appeals from convictions in municipal courts.