Rules of Court · Part 8 · New Jersey

R. 8:3-2 New Jersey Rules of Court, R. 8:3-2: Pleadings Allowed, rendered as code with every cross-reference linked

Pleadings Allowed

the rule, verbatim; Code adds line numbers, links on every cross-reference and the list of rules that cite this one

(a) Generally. Pleadings shall consist of the complaint and such responsive pleadings as shall be filed in the action. A case information statement in a form prescribed in these rules shall be attached to the complaint. A complaint that fails to include a case information statement shall be treated as a nonconforming paper that shall be returned stamped "Received but not filed (date)" as provided in R. 1:5-6(c).

(b) Local Property Tax Cases. In local property tax cases, every defendant may but Need not file an answer. There may be a counterclaim and an answer to a counterclaim denominated as such. Unless by order of the court, no other pleading is allowed, except in response to amended and supplementary pleadings.

(c) State Tax Cases. In state tax cases (other than cases governed by R. 8:11 (Small Claims)), there shall be a complaint and an answer. Unless by order of the court, no other pleading is allowed, except in response to amended and supplementary pleadings.

Note: Adopted June 20, 1979 to be effective July 1, 1979; amended July 16, 1981 to be effective September 14, 1981; text allocated into paragraphs (a) and (b) and amended, paragraph (a) and (b) captions adopted, and new paragraph (c) adopted July 9, 2008 to be effective September 1, 2008; paragraph (a) amended July 23, 2010 to be effective September 1, 2010.

Verbatim rule text, unmarked. Nothing here is a summary.

rule 8:3-2 "Pleadings Allowed" {
(a) Generally. Pleadings shall consist of the complaint and such responsive pleadings as shall be filed in the action. A case information statement in a form prescribed in these rules shall be attached to the complaint. A complaint that fails to include a case information statement shall be treated as a nonconforming paper that shall be returned stamped "Received but not filed (date)" as provided in R. 1:5-6(c).
(b) Local Property Tax Cases. In local property tax cases, every defendant may but Need not file an answer. There may be a counterclaim and an answer to a counterclaim denominated as such. Unless by order of the court, no other pleading is allowed, except in response to amended and supplementary pleadings.
(c) State Tax Cases. In state tax cases (other than cases governed by R. 8:11 (Small Claims)), there shall be a complaint and an answer. Unless by order of the court, no other pleading is allowed, except in response to amended and supplementary pleadings.
Note: Adopted June 20, 1979 to be effective July 1, 1979; amended July 16, 1981 to be effective September 14, 1981; text allocated into paragraphs (a) and (b) and amended, paragraph (a) and (b) captions adopted, and new paragraph (c) adopted July 9, 2008 to be effective September 1, 2008; paragraph (a) amended July 23, 2010 to be effective September 1, 2010.
}
referenced_by: 1:32-3
source: njcourts.gov // verbatim; changed 2025-09-23; corpus harvested 2026-09-02

← R. 8:3-1 · R. 8:3-3 → · chapter 8:3 · 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.