New Jersey Motion for Continuance

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   New Jersey uses the term adjournment. For civil trials the rule is R. 4:36-3(b), and Directive #09-26 (July 8, 2026) sets the statewide protocol for Civil, Criminal, Family and Chancery matters in the Superior Court.

2. 2

   The hearing or trial date stands until the court grants the adjournment. A matter is not adjourned until court staff confirm that it has been granted, so attend unless you receive that confirmation.

3. 3

   Directive #09-26 calls for a written request to the appropriate court office or division manager (e.g., Civil, Criminal, Family Division Manager as applicable), copied to all parties. Telephone requests are for exceptional circumstances only. The directive applies to self-represented parties to the extent practicable.

4. 4

   Each written request must state the reason for the adjournment, whether all parties consent, and a proposed new date agreed to by all parties, if possible. Leave out unnecessary personal or private information, including health details.

5. 5

   Ask as soon as you know you need more time. Where possible, the request should be submitted no later than two business days before the scheduled event, or as your vicinage's policy for that case type provides. Emergencies may go directly to the trial judge.

6. 6

   Consent from the other side does not adjourn anything by itself. Try in good faith to get consent first, say in your request whether the other side agrees, and wait for confirmation from court staff.

7. 7

   In a Landlord/Tenant eviction trial, a judge may first require a tenant who asks to adjourn to deposit some or all of the rent due with the court. If it is not deposited as directed, default is entered for the landlord.

New Jersey Requirements for Motion for Continuance

• R. 4:36-3(b) and Directive #09-26

  New Jersey calls the request an adjournment. R. 4:36-3(b) governs civil trial adjournments, applied through Directive #09-26 (July 8, 2026), which covers the Civil, Criminal, Family and Chancery divisions.

• Written Request Copied to All Parties

  Requests are made in writing to the appropriate court office or division manager, copied to all parties. Telephone requests are for exceptional circumstances only. This applies to self-represented parties to the extent practicable.

• Required Contents of the Request

  State the reason for the adjournment, whether all parties consent, and a proposed new date agreed by all parties if possible. Avoid unnecessarily sharing personal or health information.

• Conflict With Another Court Proceeding

  A conflict request must give designated trial counsel status, the nature of the conflicting matter, the court and county, the complaint filing date, the docket number, and the judge if known.

• Two Business Days Before the Event

  Submit as soon as the need is known and, where possible, no later than two business days before the event, or per vicinage policy. Emergencies may go directly to the trial judge.

• Consent Is Not Adjournment

  Make a good-faith effort to get consent first. A matter is not adjourned until court staff confirm the adjournment was granted, so the date stands until then.

• Tenant Rent Deposit in Eviction Trials

  In Landlord/Tenant court, a judge may first require a tenant asking to adjourn a trial to deposit some or all rent due with the court. If it is not deposited as directed, default is entered for the landlord.

• Proposed New Date

  The request proposes a new date, agreed to by all parties if possible, and states whether the other side consents.