Actions brought in the Superior Court on behalf of a minor or mentally incapacitated person, instituted without process, for the purpose of obtaining the court’s approval of a settlement shall be brought in any county in which the venue might be laid under R. 4:3-2, and in such actions in the Superior Court, the papers shall, unless the court otherwise orders, be filed with the deputy clerk of the Superior Court in the county of venue before the hearing on the application for approval.
Rule 4:44-1.Venue; filing
Last amended September 3, 2002 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:44-1 lets an action to approve a settlement on behalf of a minor or mentally incapacitated person be brought without process in any county where venue could be laid, with the papers filed there before the approval hearing.
Full Text of Rule 4:44-1
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. 4:56A(a)(b); amended July 26, 1984 to be effective September 10, 1984; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; amended June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996; amended July 12, 2002 to be effective September 3, 2002.
Plain-English Summary
Settling a claim for a minor or an incapacitated person needs court approval, and this rule sets where that approval action belongs. It may be brought, without the need for process, in any county where venue could be laid under Rule 4:3-2.
The papers themselves get filed with the deputy clerk of the Superior Court in that same venue county, ahead of the hearing on approval, unless the court directs otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is a settlement-approval action for a minor filed in New Jersey?
In any county where venue could be laid under Rule 4:3-2, and the papers are filed with the deputy clerk there before the approval hearing.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:44-1). 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: minor's settlement approvalfriendly hearingincapacitated person settlement