A judgment against a person jointly liable with another person shall not, unless it is satisfied, bar a judgment against the latter.
Rule 4:42-4.Effect of unsatisfied judgment against one or more of several persons jointly liable
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:42-4 provides that an unsatisfied judgment against one person who is jointly liable with another does not bar a later judgment against that other person.
Full Text of Rule 4:42-4
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. 4:55-3.
Plain-English Summary
Joint liability does not mean a plaintiff gets only one shot at collecting. If a judgment against one jointly liable person goes unsatisfied, Rule 4:42-4 makes clear that the plaintiff is free to pursue a judgment against the other person who shares that liability.
Only a satisfied judgment closes the door — an unsatisfied one against one jointly liable party leaves the claim against the rest of them intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an unpaid judgment against one jointly liable person stop a suit against another?
No. Unless the judgment against the first person is satisfied, it does not bar a judgment against another person who is jointly liable.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:42-4). 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: joint liability judgmentjoint and several liability