(a) If an order would be subject to process to enforce a judgment pursuant to R. 4:59 if it were final and if the trial court certifies that there is no just reason for delay of such enforcement, the trial court may direct the entry of final judgment upon fewer than all the claims as to all parties, but only in the following circumstances: (1) upon a complete adjudication of a separate claim; or (2) upon complete adjudication of all the rights and liabilities asserted in the litigation as to any party; or (3) where a partial summary judgment or other order for payment of part of a claim is awarded.
Rule 4:42-2.Judgment Upon Multiple Claims; Reconsideration of Interlocutory Orders
Last amended September 1, 2022 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:42-2 lets a trial court direct entry of final judgment on fewer than all claims when it certifies no just reason for delay, and otherwise keeps any order that resolves less than the whole case open to revision, in the court's discretion, until final judgment.
Full Text of Rule 4:42-2
(b) In the absence of a direction authorized by paragraph (a), any order or form of decision which adjudicates fewer than all the claims as to all the parties shall not terminate the action as to any of the claims, and it shall be subject to revision at any time before the entry of final judgment in the sound discretion of the court in the interest of justice. To the extent possible, application for reconsideration shall be made to the trial judge who entered the order.
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. 4:55-2; amended July 16, 1981 to be effective September 14, 1981; amended November 1, 1985 to be effective January 2, 1986; amended November 7, 1988 to be effective January 2, 1989; amended and divided into paragraphs (a) and (b) August 5, 2022 to be effective September 1, 2022.
Plain-English Summary
A case with multiple claims does not have to wait for every one of them to resolve before any part becomes final. If the trial court certifies there is no just reason to delay enforcement, and the order would otherwise be enforceable as a judgment, the court may direct entry of final judgment on fewer than all the claims — but only where a separate claim has been fully adjudicated, all rights and liabilities as to a party have been resolved, or the order awards partial summary judgment or part of a claim.
Without that certification, an order deciding less than everything does not end the case as to any claim. It stays open to revision at any time before final judgment, at the court's discretion and in the interest of justice, and a party seeking reconsideration should bring the request to the same judge who issued the order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a New Jersey trial court enter final judgment on just one of several claims?
Yes, if it certifies there is no just reason for delay and the claim has been completely adjudicated, all rights and liabilities as to a party are resolved, or the order awards partial summary judgment or part of a claim.
Is an order deciding fewer than all claims final if there's no such certification?
No. It remains open to revision at any time before final judgment, at the court's discretion.
Who should hear a motion to reconsider an interlocutory order?
To the extent possible, the same trial judge who entered the order.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:42-2). 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: partial final judgment54(b) certificationno just reason for delayreconsideration of interlocutory order