The motion shall be made within a reasonable time, and for reasons (a), (b) and (c) of R. 4:50-1 not more than one year after the judgment, order or proceeding was entered or taken.
Rule 4:50-2.Time of motion
Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:50-2 requires a motion for relief from judgment to be made within a reasonable time, and, for mistake, newly discovered evidence, or fraud, no more than one year after the judgment was entered.
Full Text of Rule 4:50-2
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 (second sentence).
Plain-English Summary
A motion for relief from judgment can't sit on the shelf. It must be made within a reasonable time under the circumstances, and when the ground is mistake or excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, or fraud or misconduct, the outer limit is firm: no more than one year after the judgment, order, or proceeding was entered or taken.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a party have to move for relief from judgment based on mistake or newly discovered evidence?
Within a reasonable time, and never more than one year after the judgment, order, or proceeding was entered or taken.
Does the one-year limit apply to every ground for relief from judgment?
No. It applies specifically to the mistake, newly discovered evidence, and fraud grounds; the reasonable-time standard alone governs the others.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:50-2). 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: one year limit relief from judgmenttime to move under Rule 4:50