If all parties to the action accept the arbitration award disposing of the claim of a minor or mentally incapacitated person, the attorney for the guardian ad litem shall forthwith so report to the Assignment Judge and a proceeding for judicial approval of the award pursuant to R. 4:44 shall be held as expeditiously as possible.
Rule 4:21A-7.Arbitration of Minor’s and Mentally Incapacitated Person’s Claims
Last amended September 3, 2002 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:21A-7 provides that when all parties accept an arbitration award disposing of a minor's or mentally incapacitated person's claim, the guardian ad litem's attorney reports to the Assignment Judge and a judicial-approval proceeding is held under the friendly-hearing rule.
Full Text of Rule 4:21A-7
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 November 1, 1985 to be effective January 2, 1986; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; caption and text; amended July 12, 2002 to be effective September 3, 2002.
Plain-English Summary
Claims of minors and incapacitated persons need court approval to settle, and arbitration is no exception. When all parties accept an arbitration award that disposes of such a person’s claim, the attorney for the guardian ad litem reports that to the Assignment Judge.
A judicial-approval proceeding then follows under Rule 4:44, the rule governing approval of settlements for minors and incapacitated persons, held as expeditiously as possible so the award can be approved and paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an arbitration award for a minor need court approval?
Yes. When all parties accept an award disposing of a minor’s or mentally incapacitated person’s claim, a judicial-approval proceeding is held under Rule 4:44, the friendly-hearing rule.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:21A-7). 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: arbitration of minor's claimincapacitated person arbitrationjudicial approval of awardfriendly hearing