(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), acceptance and payment of an offer under R. 4:58 will not be deemed a judgment against the offeree and will not require the filing of a Warrant of Satisfaction.
Rule 4:58-7.Acceptance of Offer Not Deemed a Judgment; Payment of Accepted Offer
Last amended September 1, 2022 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:58-7 treats an accepted offer of judgment as a settlement, not a judgment, requires full payment within 30 days of acceptance and a stipulation of dismissal within 7 days after that, and lets the unpaid party either withdraw or seek entry of final judgment if payment is late.
Full Text of Rule 4:58-7
(b) Absent leave of court, or the agreement of the offeror and offeree, full payment of the accepted offer shall be made within 30 days after the date of service of notice of acceptance. Within 7 days after full payment, the offeror and the offeree shall file a Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice as to all claims that are the subject of the accepted offer. If full payment is not made within 30 days, then the party entitled to receive payment may (1) withdraw its offer or acceptance, or (2) apply for relief consistent with R. 1:6-2(a) for entry of final judgment. The court shall award reasonable expenses, including reasonable fees and costs for the application for final judgment, unless the court finds that the failure to make payment was substantially justified or that other circumstances make an award of expenses unjust.
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.
New Rule 4:58-7 adopted August 5, 2022 to be effective September 1, 2022.
Plain-English Summary
Accepting an offer of judgment settles the case rather than entering a judgment against the party who accepted it — no Warrant of Satisfaction has to be filed. But the deal comes with its own enforcement clock: absent the court's leave or an agreement between the parties, full payment is due within 30 days of the acceptance notice, and both sides then have 7 days to file a stipulation dismissing the resolved claims with prejudice.
If payment doesn't arrive in time, the party owed the money isn't stuck waiting — it may withdraw the offer or acceptance outright, or apply for entry of final judgment instead, and the court will award reasonable expenses for that application unless the delay was substantially justified or an award would otherwise be unjust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does accepting an offer of judgment create a judgment against the accepting party?
No, except as the rule otherwise provides — it is treated as a settlement, and no Warrant of Satisfaction needs to be filed.
What happens if an accepted offer isn't paid within 30 days?
The party owed payment may withdraw the offer or acceptance, or apply for entry of final judgment, and the court will generally award reasonable expenses for that application.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:58-7). 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: paying an accepted offer of judgmentstipulation of dismissal after settlement