Rules of Court · Part 4 · New Jersey
R. 4:32-3 New Jersey Rules of Court, R. 4:32-3: Derivative Action by Shareholders, rendered as code with every cross-reference linked
Derivative Action by Shareholders
In an action brought to enforce a secondary right on the part of one or more shareholders in an association, incorporated or unincorporated, because the association refuses to enforce rights which may properly be asserted by it, the complaint shall be verified and allege that the plaintiff was a shareholder at the time of the transaction complained of, or that the share thereafter devolved by operation of law. The complaint shall also set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to secure from the managing directors or trustees and, if necessary, from the shareholders such action as is desired, and the reasons for the failure to obtain such action or the reasons for not making such effort. Immediately on filing the complaint and issuing the summons, the plaintiff shall give such notice of the pendency and object of the action to the other shareholders as the court by order directs. The derivative action may not be maintained if it appears that the plaintiff does not fairly represent the interests of the shareholders or members similarly situated in enforcing the right of the corporation or association. Rule 4:32- 2(e) ("Settlement, Voluntary Dismissal, or Compromise") is applicable to actions brought under this rule.
Note: Source - R.R. 4:36-2; adopted as R. 4:32-5 effective September 8, 1969; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; redesignated as R. 4:32-3 and amended July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006.
Verbatim rule text, unmarked. Nothing here is a summary.
rule 4:32-3 "Derivative Action by Shareholders" {
In an action brought to enforce a secondary right on the part of one or more shareholders in an association, incorporated or unincorporated, because the association refuses to enforce rights which may properly be asserted by it, the complaint shall be verified and allege that the plaintiff was a shareholder at the time of the transaction complained of, or that the share thereafter devolved by operation of law. The complaint shall also set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to secure from the managing directors or trustees and, if necessary, from the shareholders such action as is desired, and the reasons for the failure to obtain such action or the reasons for not making such effort. Immediately on filing the complaint and issuing the summons, the plaintiff shall give such notice of the pendency and object of the action to the other shareholders as the court by order directs. The derivative action may not be maintained if it appears that the plaintiff does not fairly represent the interests of the shareholders or members similarly situated in enforcing the right of the corporation or association. Rule 4:32- 2(e) ("Settlement, Voluntary Dismissal, or Compromise") is applicable to actions brought under this rule.
Note: Source - R.R. 4:36-2; adopted as R. 4:32-5 effective September 8, 1969; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; redesignated as R. 4:32-3 and amended July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006.
}
referenced_by: 4:32-2, [4:32-3], [4:32-5]
source: njcourts.gov // verbatim; changed 2025-09-29; corpus harvested 2026-09-02← R. 4:32-2 · chapter 4:32 · all rules
The Rules of Court are a government edict and carry no copyright; the text above is the Judiciary’s own publication, unchanged. Structure, links and highlighting are ours and carry no legal weight. Read the rule on njcourts.gov before you rely on it; amendments take effect each September 1.