The New Jersey State Bar Association said on April 10 that it opposes a proposed amendment to Rule 1:6-2(d) which would make oral argument on motions for reconsideration discretionary instead of a right. The comments were included in the Association’s response to the Supreme Court Civil Practice Committee Report.
This issue is important because changes to procedural rules can affect how lawyers and litigants present their cases, potentially impacting access to justice and fairness in court proceedings.
According to the Association, the proposal would remove the current guarantee that parties have an opportunity for oral argument when seeking reconsideration of court decisions. The NJSBA said it believes this right should be preserved rather than left up to judicial discretion.
The report also noted that the Supreme Court has invited comments from stakeholders on another matter—the 2025–2027 Rules of Evidence Committee’s Midcycle Report. Interested parties are encouraged to review and respond as part of ongoing efforts to update legal procedures.
Future developments will depend on feedback received during these comment periods and any subsequent action by the Supreme Court regarding rule amendments.
