Interrogatories may, without leave of court, be served upon the plaintiff or answers demanded pursuant to R. 4:17-1(b) after commencement of the action and served upon or demanded from any other party with or after service of the summons and complaint upon that party. Except as provided in R. 4:17-1(b)(2), initial interrogatories shall be served by plaintiff as to each defendant within 40 days after service of that defendant’s answer and each defendant shall serve initial interrogatories within said 40-day period.
Rule 4:17-2.Time to serve interrogatories
Last amended September 5, 2000 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:17-2 fixes when interrogatories may be served and sets the initial-interrogatory deadline: within 40 days after service of a defendant's answer, both the plaintiff and each defendant serve their initial interrogatories.
Full Text of Rule 4:17-2
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. 4:23-2(a)(b)(c). Amended and last two sentences deleted July 14, 1972 to be effective September 5, 1972; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; amended July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000.
Plain-English Summary
This rule sets the timing for interrogatories. They may be served on the plaintiff after the action begins, and on any other party with or after service of the summons and complaint on that party, without leave of court.
Initial interrogatories run on a schedule. Except in the uniform-interrogatory cases governed by Rule 4:17-1(b), the plaintiff serves initial interrogatories as to each defendant within 40 days after that defendant’s answer, and each defendant serves its own within the same 40-day period.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can interrogatories be served?
On the plaintiff after the action commences, and on any other party with or after service of the summons and complaint. Initial interrogatories are generally served within 40 days after a defendant’s answer.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:17-2). 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: time to serve interrogatoriesinterrogatory deadline40 days interrogatories