On motion, with briefs, and upon such terms as are just, the court may relieve a party or the party’s legal representative from a final judgment or order for the following reasons: (a) mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect; (b) newly discovered evidence which would probably alter the judgment or order and which by due diligence could not have been discovered in time to move for a new trial under R. 4:49; (c) fraud (whether heretofore denominated intrinsic or extrinsic), misrepresentation, or other misconduct of an adverse party; (d) the judgment or order is void; (e) the judgment or order has been satisfied, released or discharged, or a prior judgment or order upon which it is based has been reversed or otherwise vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the judgment or order should have prospective application; or (f) any other reason justifying relief from the operation of the judgment or order.
Rule 4:50-1.Grounds of Motion
Last amended September 1, 1994 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:50-1 lets a court relieve a party from a final judgment or order for mistake or excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, fraud or misconduct, a void judgment, a judgment already satisfied or based on a reversed prior judgment, or any other reason justifying relief.
Full Text of Rule 4:50-1
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. 4:62-2 (first sentence); amended July 15, 1982 to be effective September 13, 1982; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
Plain-English Summary
A final judgment is not always the end of the road. Rule 4:50-1 — New Jersey's mechanism for reopening a judgment after it's entered — lists specific grounds a court may act on: mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect; newly discovered evidence that would probably change the outcome and couldn't have been found in time for a new-trial motion; fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct by the other side; a judgment that is void; a judgment already satisfied or resting on a prior judgment that has since been reversed, or one that is no longer equitable to enforce going forward; and, as a catch-all, any other reason that justifies relief.
Getting there takes a motion with briefs, and the court grants relief on whatever terms are just under the circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is New Jersey's rule for reopening a final judgment?
Rule 4:50-1, which lists specific grounds — mistake or excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, fraud or misconduct, a void judgment, a satisfied or reversed underlying judgment, or any other reason justifying relief.
Is there a catch-all ground for relief from a New Jersey judgment?
Yes. Beyond the specific grounds listed, the rule allows relief for any other reason justifying it.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:50-1). 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: 60(b) motionmotion for relief from judgmentreopening a judgmentvacate judgment