In cases assigned to Tracks I, II, and III, the designated pretrial judge may sua sponte or on a party’s request conduct a case management conference if it appears that such a conference will assist discovery, narrow or define the issues to be tried, address issues relating to discovery of electronically stored information, or otherwise promote the orderly and expeditious progress of the case. A case management conference shall not, however, ordinarily be conducted after the case is ready for trial. In Track IV cases, except for actions in lieu of prerogative writs and probate and general equity actions, an initial case management conference shall be conducted as soon as practicable after joinder and, absent exceptional circumstances, within 60 days thereafter. In actions in lieu of prerogative writs, case management conferences shall be held pursuant to R. 4:69-4. In probate actions, case management conferences may be scheduled at the discretion of the judge. In all actions in general equity, except summary actions pursuant to R. 4:67 and foreclosure actions, an initial case management conference shall be held within 30 days following the filing of the answers of all defendants initially joined, and the court may hold such additional case management conferences as it deems appropriate. All decisions and directives issued at a case management conference shall be memorialized by order as required by R. 1:2-6. The order may include provisions for disclosure of discovery of electronically stored information and any agreements the parties reach for asserting claims of privilege or protection as trial preparation material after production.
Rule 4:5B-2.Case Management Conferences
Last amended September 1, 2006 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026
In one sentenceRule 4:5B-2 authorizes case management conferences to move a case along — discretionary in Tracks I through III, and an early requirement in Track IV and general-equity actions — with all decisions memorialized by order.
Full Text of Rule 4:5B-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.
Adopted July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000; amended July 28, 2004 to be effective September 1, 2004; amended July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006.
Plain-English Summary
Case management conferences are the tool judges use to keep a case on schedule. In Tracks I through III the designated judge may call one on request or on the judge’s own initiative when it will help discovery, narrow the issues, or address electronically stored information, though not ordinarily once the case is ready for trial. In Track IV the rule requires an initial conference soon after the case is joined, within 60 days absent exceptional circumstances.
Some categories follow their own timing: prerogative-writ actions hold conferences under Rule 4:69-4, probate conferences are scheduled at the judge’s discretion, and general-equity actions get an initial conference within 30 days after all initial defendants answer. Whatever is decided at a conference is memorialized by order as Rule 1:2-6 requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are case management conferences required in every case?
No. In Tracks I through III they are discretionary, called when they will help the case. In Track IV and in general-equity actions the rule requires an early initial conference.
What is decided at a case management conference?
The judge addresses discovery, narrows or defines the issues, and can handle electronically stored information and privilege arrangements. The decisions are then put into a case management order.
Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the
official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:5B-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: case management conferenceCMCscheduling conferenceelectronically stored information