Rule 4:17-1.Service, scope of interrogatories

Last amended September 1, 2025 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026

In one sentenceRule 4:17-1 lets any party serve written interrogatories on any other party within the scope of discovery, and requires Uniform (form) Interrogatories in automobile and most personal-injury cases, which are deemed served automatically and limited to the prescribed forms plus ten supplemental questions.

Full Text of Rule 4:17-1

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(a) Generally. Any party may serve upon any other party written interrogatories relating to any matters which may be inquired into under R. 4:10-2. The interrogatories may include a request, at the propounder’s expense, for a copy of any paper.

(b) Uniform Interrogatories in Certain Actions.

(1) Limitations on Interrogatories. In all actions seeking recovery for property damage to automobiles and in all personal injury cases other than wrongful death, toxic torts, cases involving issues of professional malpractice other than medical malpractice, and those products liability cases either involving pharmaceuticals or giving rise to a toxic tort claim, the parties shall be limited to the interrogatories prescribed by Forms A, B and C of Appendix II, as appropriate, provided, however, that each party may propound ten supplemental questions, without subparts, without leave of court. Any additional interrogatories shall be permitted only by the court in its discretion on motion.

(2) Automatic Service of Uniform Interrogatories. A party defendant served with a complaint in an action subject to uniform interrogatories as prescribed by subparagraph b(1) of this rule shall be deemed to have been simultaneously served with such interrogatories. The defendant shall serve answers to the appropriate uniform interrogatories within 60 days after service by that defendant of the answer to the complaint. The plaintiff in such an action shall be deemed to have been served with uniform interrogatories simultaneously with service of defendant’s answer to the complaint and shall serve answers to the interrogatories within 30 days after service of the answer to the complaint. In all actions commenced prior to September 5, 2000, however, answers to uniform interrogatories shall be demanded by letter of demand served upon all adverse parties within the time prescribed by R. 4:17-2, and answers shall be served within the time prescribed by R. 4:17-4(b).

(3) Claims of Privilege, Protection. Privileged information need not be disclosed provided the claim of privilege is made pursuant to R. 4:10-2(e). Nor need information be disclosed if it is the subject of an identified protective order issued pursuant to R. 4:10-3.

(4) Obligation to Answer Every Question. Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (b)(3) of this rule, every question propounded by a uniform interrogatory must be answered unless the court has otherwise ordered.

(c) Limitations on Interrogatories in Family Part Post-Judgment Cohabitation Cases. In all actions where a court has determined that a prima facie case of cohabitation has been established, the payor of alimony shall be limited to form interrogatories set forth in Rules Appendix XX.XI, as appropriate, provided, however, that each party may submit ten supplemental questions without subparts. These supplemental questions can be included without seeking permission of the court. Any additional interrogatories can be included only when permitted by the court in its discretion on motion. The time for serving and answering the interrogatories shall be set by the court at a discovery conference.

End

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.

Source-R.R. 4:23-1, 4:23-9. Last clause of second sentence and third and fourth sentences deleted (see R. 4:10B2(d) and R. 4:17B3) July 14, 1972 to be effective September 5, 1972; new caption for paragraph (a) and new paragraphs (b)(i) and (ii) adopted July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; paragraph (b)(i) amended and paragraph (b)(iii) added June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996; paragraph (b)(i) amended July 10, 1998 to be effective September 1, 1998; paragraphs (b)(i), (b)(ii), and (b)(iii) redesignated as paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3), redesignated paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) amended, and new paragraph (b)(4) adopted July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; new paragraph (c) adopted July 31, 2025 to be effective September 1, 2025.

Plain-English Summary

Interrogatories are written questions a party must answer under oath, and this rule authorizes them broadly: any party may serve written interrogatories on any other party about matters within the scope of discovery, and may request copies of papers at the propounder’s expense.

New Jersey standardizes discovery in common cases through Uniform Interrogatories. In automobile-damage and most personal-injury actions, the parties are limited to the court’s prescribed form interrogatories, plus ten supplemental questions without subparts, and those forms are deemed served automatically when the pleadings are exchanged — no separate demand needed. Privileged information and material under a protective order need not be disclosed, but every other uniform question must be answered unless the court orders otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are interrogatories in New Jersey?

Written questions served on another party, which must be answered in writing under oath. They may cover any matter within the scope of discovery under Rule 4:10-2.

What are Uniform Interrogatories?

Court-prescribed form interrogatories that apply in automobile-damage and most personal-injury cases. The parties are limited to those forms plus ten supplemental questions, and the forms are deemed served automatically when the pleadings are exchanged.

Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:17-1). 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: interrogatoriesROGswritten interrogatoriesuniform interrogatoriesform interrogatories