(a) Opt-in/Opt-Out. Parties may file a motion for inclusion in the CBLP where a case is not presumptively assigned to the CBLP but involves complex business related issues and/or the amount in controversy is less than $200,000. Parties may also move for removal from the CBLP on the grounds that the action does not meet the eligibility criteria.
Rule 4:102-4.Admittance to or Removal from the CBLP
Last amended September 1, 2020 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:102-4 lets parties move to opt a case into the CBLP even when it isn't presumptively assigned, or move to opt one out for failing the eligibility criteria, and lets the Assignment Judge or CBLP judge review and reassign a case on the court's own initiative.
Full Text of Rule 4:102-4
(b) Review of Cases in CBLP. The Assignment Judge or the CBLP judge may conduct an initial review of a case to determine if it is appropriate for the CBLP. The judge may, sua sponte, assign it to the CBLP or remove it from the CBLP. If the case is removed from the CBLP, it will be reassigned to the appropriate track for case management based on the case type designated on the Civil Case Information Statement.
Amendment History
New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “History” note beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; the “R.R.” citations refer to the former Revised Rules numbering the current rules replaced.
Adopted July 27, 2018 to be effective September 1, 2018; paragraph (b); amended July 31, 2020 to be effective September 1, 2020.
Plain-English Summary
Eligibility for the CBLP isn't fixed once a complaint is filed. Parties can move to bring a case into the Program even when it isn't presumptively assigned there, so long as it involves complex business issues or falls under the $200,000 threshold, and parties can equally move to remove a case that doesn't meet the Program's eligibility criteria.
The court doesn't have to wait for a motion, either — the Assignment Judge or the CBLP judge can review a case on their own initiative, assign or remove it from the Program sua sponte, and, if it's removed, send it to whatever track fits its Civil Case Information Statement case type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can parties ask to have a case included in the CBLP even if it isn't presumptively assigned there?
Yes, by motion, if the case involves complex business-related issues or the amount in controversy is under $200,000.
Can a judge move a case in or out of the CBLP without a motion?
Yes, the Assignment Judge or the CBLP judge may review a case and assign or remove it from the Program sua sponte.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:102-4). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey (N.J. Const. art. VI, § 2, ¶ 3). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 7, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: opt into CBLPremoval from CBLP