The New Jersey Special Civil Part Civil Action Complaint is the official court document a plaintiff files in the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court Law Division to sue for money damages of $20,000 or less, or $5,000 or less in the Small Claims section. The form (commonly known as Form 10550 or the DC Complaint, with the most recent revision dated 09/2024) tells the court who is suing whom, why, and how much money is at stake. Filing it correctly is the first step to getting a judgment, garnishing wages, or levying a bank account in New Jersey.
The Special Civil Part handles roughly 600,000 new cases each year, and a significant share of pro se complaints are rejected on first filing because of caption errors, wrong defendant names, or missing certifications, according to the NJ Courts Annual Report. A rejected complaint can cost weeks while the statute of limitations keeps ticking. Here is what you will learn:
- 📝 How to fill in every field, box, and certification on the DC complaint without triggering a clerk rejection
- 💰 Exactly which filing fees, mileage fees, and service costs apply, and how to pay them through JEDS
- 🏛️ Where to file based on venue rules under Rule 6:1-2 and how to fix a venue mistake
- ⚖️ Three full real-world scenarios (consumer debt, contractor breach, security deposit) walked through line by line
- 🚫 The 10 most common mistakes filers make and the exact consequence each one triggers
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Civil Action Complaint for the Special Civil Part is the pleading authorized by Rule 6:3-1 that opens a lawsuit for money damages in one of New Jersey’s 21 county Special Civil Part offices. It is filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part, and routes the case into one of three tracks: Small Claims (up to $5,000), Special Civil Part contract/tort (up to $20,000), or Landlord/Tenant (no dollar limit, but only for possession). Any individual, sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, or corporation can file, but a corporation or LLC suing for more than $5,000 must be represented by a New Jersey-licensed attorney under Rule 1:21-1(c).
People file this complaint when they are owed money for goods or services, when a contractor walked off a job, when a tenant’s security deposit was not returned, when a fender-bender repair bill went unpaid, or when a written or oral contract was breached. The form is not the right tool for divorce, custody, name changes, or claims above $20,000, which belong in other divisions. The plaintiff is the party suing; the defendant is the party being sued; the caption must list every party in the order they appear in the case.
The agency that receives the complaint is the Special Civil Part Clerk’s Office in the county where venue is proper. The statute setting filing fees is N.J.S.A. 22A:2-37.1, and the rules of practice are in Part VI of the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey. Missing the filing fee, the certification, or the proper defendant name will get the complaint marked deficient and sent back.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything before you open the form, because the JEDS portal times out and the paper form leaves little room for crossing out. The Special Civil Part is a fast track, and a missing exhibit at filing can mean the judge dismisses the case at trial. Filers who walk in unprepared often spend two trips to the clerk’s window when one would have done the job.
Pre-filing checklist:
- Defendant’s exact legal name. A wrong name (e.g., suing “Joe’s Plumbing” when the LLC is “Joseph Smith Plumbing LLC”) makes any judgment unenforceable, because you cannot levy a bank account that does not match the judgment caption.
- Defendant’s service address. This must be a street address where a Special Civil Part Officer can hand-deliver papers; a P.O. Box will not work for personal service under Rule 6:2-3.
- Your own current address and daytime phone. The court mails the Track Assignment Notice and trial date here; if it bounces, your case can be dismissed for failure to prosecute.
- The contract, invoice, lease, or written agreement. Attach a copy as Exhibit A; without it, the judge may treat the claim as an oral contract with a higher proof burden.
- Itemized damages calculation. Break the demand into principal, interest, and costs; lump-sum demands often get reduced at trial.
- Demand letter and proof of mailing. Many judges expect to see that you tried to resolve the dispute first; certified mail receipts work best.
- Filing fee payment method. Credit card for JEDS, or check/money order payable to Treasurer, State of New Jersey for paper filing.
- Confidential Litigant Information Sheet (CLIS). Required when the case is post-judgment for income execution; gather Social Security number and date of birth now to avoid a second trip.
- Driver’s license or photo ID if filing in person, because the clerk verifies the filer’s identity for the certification.
- Statute of limitations check. Six years for written contracts under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1; filing one day late ends the case forever.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official, current version of the complaint lives on the NJ Courts Special Civil Part forms page, and is labeled Form A – Complaint – Special Civil Part. Always download a fresh copy for each filing, because the Judiciary updates fee schedules and certification language without notice, and an outdated form can be rejected. The form is fillable in Adobe Acrobat or any modern PDF viewer; do not photocopy a blank form from a previous case because the revision date may have changed.
You can also pick up a paper copy at any county Special Civil Part Clerk’s Office — the clerk will hand you the complaint, the summons (Form A-1), and the case information statement together. The Judiciary’s self-help center provides a free guided interview that fills in the PDF for you, which is helpful for first-time pro se filers. Public libraries in larger counties (Essex, Bergen, Middlesex) also keep printed packets behind the reference desk.
For attorneys and frequent filers, the eCourts Special Civil portal is the preferred channel; it auto-validates the caption against the court’s docket system and flags missing fields before submission. Pro se filers without an attorney use JEDS, the Judiciary Electronic Document Submission system, which accepts PDF uploads of the same form. Walk-in filing is still allowed at every county courthouse, but waits can run two hours during landlord/tenant calendar days.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Special Civil Part Complaint Line by Line
The complaint is a single-page form (front) with an optional second page for additional counts. Every line below has its own H3, because clerks examine each field separately and a single blank can trigger rejection. Take the fields in order; the form is built to be read top to bottom by the deputy clerk.
Top Caption: Court, County, and Division
The top of the form reads Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part, ____ County. You write the county where venue is proper under Rule 6:1-2 — generally where the defendant lives, where the cause of action arose, or where the contract was signed. For example, Maria Lopez sues a Newark contractor for a Newark job and writes ESSEX in the county blank, in capital letters.
If the defendant moved out of state but the contract was signed in Camden, you may still file in Camden County under the cause-of-action prong of the venue rule. The most common mistake here is writing the plaintiff’s county instead of the defendant’s; the result is a transfer order that delays the case 30–60 days. A frequent misconception is that you can file anywhere in New Jersey because it is one court — venue is mandatory, not optional, and a defendant can move to dismiss for improper venue.
Docket Number Box
Leave the docket number box blank unless the clerk has already assigned one (rare, and only when refiling a dismissed matter). The clerk stamps the docket number in the format DC-001234-26 (DC for District Court legacy, sequence number, two-digit year) at the moment of filing. Maria Lopez leaves this box empty and lets the Essex clerk stamp DC-014567-26 on intake.
If you are amending a complaint, write the existing docket number from the original filing in this box. The most common mistake is writing your own reference number or invoice number here; the clerk will cross it out and may reject the filing if it interferes with the stamp. The misconception is that a docket number must be requested in advance — it is auto-generated by the case management system at filing.
Plaintiff’s Name and Address Block
Enter the plaintiff’s full legal name on the first line and the complete street address, city, state, and ZIP on the next lines. Use the name exactly as it appears on the contract, invoice, or other underlying document — Maria E. Lopez writes her name as MARIA E. LOPEZ with her home address 123 Elm Street, Newark, NJ 07102. Sole proprietors should write John Smith d/b/a Smith Roofing; LLCs should write the full registered name, e.g., Smith Roofing LLC.
If the plaintiff has multiple owners or is a partnership, list the entity name and attach a separate sheet with each partner. The most common mistake is using a nickname or trade name without the d/b/a designation; this can render the resulting judgment unenforceable in the plaintiff’s actual legal name. A misconception is that the plaintiff’s address can be a P.O. Box — the court needs a physical address to mail the trial notice, although the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet lets you keep it confidential in domestic violence situations.
Plaintiff’s Phone Number and Attorney Information
Enter a daytime phone number where the court can reach the plaintiff or counsel. If an attorney represents the plaintiff, write the attorney’s name, NJ bar ID number, firm, address, phone, and email; pro se filers write Pro Se in the attorney box. Marcus Johnson, suing as a pro se landlord, writes his cell phone (973) 555-0142 and Pro Se in the attorney slot.
Attorneys must include their bar ID — omitting it triggers a clerk’s deficiency notice under Rule 1:4-1. The most common mistake is leaving the phone blank because the filer fears spam; without it, the court calls nobody and the case is dismissed when no one shows up to call the calendar. The misconception is that the email is optional — for eCourts filers, it is the only channel for notices, and a typo means missed deadlines.
Defendant’s Name and Address Block
Write the defendant’s exact legal name and street service address. For an individual, use the full first, middle, and last name as it appears on a driver’s license or deed; for a business, look up the registered name in the NJ Division of Revenue Business Records. Janet Patel, suing her former landlord, writes RIVERSIDE PROPERTIES LLC, c/o Registered Agent: Mark Reilly, 88 Main Street, Trenton, NJ 08608.
If you do not know whether the defendant is an LLC, corporation, or sole proprietor, run the business name search before filing — suing the wrong entity is the single most common reason small claims judgments cannot be collected. The most common mistake is writing only a trade name like Joe’s Plumbing; if Joe’s Plumbing is actually J. Russo Plumbing Inc., your judgment is worth nothing. The misconception is that you can simply add the right name later — amendments are allowed before answer, but after default judgment a name change requires a separate motion.
Caption Heading: Plaintiff vs. Defendant
The form prints Plaintiff(s) above one block and Defendant(s) above another, with vs. between them. Make sure the names match exactly what you wrote in the address blocks above; a clerk who sees Maria Lopez in the address block but Maria E. Lopez in the caption will mark it deficient. Maria E. Lopez writes her name identically in both spots.
For multiple defendants, list each on a separate line and number them Defendant 1, Defendant 2. The most common mistake is omitting and John Doe 1-10 when the filer suspects unknown additional defendants; without the John Doe placeholder, you cannot add them later without amending under Rule 4:9-1. The misconception is that et al. is acceptable — Special Civil Part requires every party named in full.
Statement of Facts (Numbered Paragraphs)
This is the heart of the complaint: a series of short, numbered paragraphs describing what happened, in chronological order. Each paragraph contains one fact; do not bury two facts in one sentence. Marcus Johnson writes: 1. On June 1, 2025, Plaintiff and Defendant entered a written contract for kitchen remodeling. 2. Plaintiff paid Defendant $8,500 on June 5, 2025. 3. Defendant abandoned the job on July 10, 2025. 4. Defendant has refused to refund the deposit despite written demand on August 1, 2025.
Stick to facts; legal conclusions like Defendant was negligent belong in the count headings, not the facts. The most common mistake is writing a single paragraph of narrative; the judge cannot easily reference paragraph 4 if there is only one paragraph, and answers become harder to match. The misconception is that more is better — a concise 5-paragraph statement beats a 30-paragraph rant every time, because trial time in Special Civil Part is short.
Cause of Action / Count Heading
Below the facts, identify the legal theory: Breach of Contract, Book Account, Unjust Enrichment, Conversion, Negligence, Consumer Fraud, etc. You may plead multiple counts; label them First Count, Second Count, and renumber the paragraphs in each. Janet Patel labels her first count Violation of New Jersey Security Deposit Act, N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1 and demands double damages.
Choose the count that matches the contract or statute; a security deposit case mislabeled as breach of contract loses the statutory double-damages remedy. The most common mistake is leaving the count generic — the defendant owes me money is not a cause of action. The misconception is that you must cite a statute — common-law breach of contract needs no statute, but statutory claims (consumer fraud, security deposit, wage payment) require the citation to unlock enhanced damages.
Demand for Judgment (Wherefore Clause)
State exactly how much money you want, broken into principal, interest, attorney’s fees (if any), costs of suit. Write the dollar figure in numbers, e.g., $8,500.00 plus pre-judgment interest, costs of suit, and such other relief as the Court deems just. Marcus Johnson writes the demand as $8,500.00 in principal, plus pre-judgment interest at the rate set by Rule 4:42-11, and costs of suit.
Do not demand more than the jurisdictional cap of $20,000 (or $5,000 in Small Claims); demanding $20,001 forces the clerk to reject and route to the Law Division. The most common mistake is forgetting costs of suit; without it, you cannot recover the filing fee from the defendant after winning. The misconception is that pre-judgment interest is automatic — you must demand it in the wherefore clause to receive it under New Jersey practice.
Jury Demand Box
Check the box if you want a jury trial; leave it blank for a bench trial. Special Civil Part juries consist of six jurors, and the jury demand carries a separate $50 fee under N.J.S.A. 22A:2-37.1. Maria Lopez leaves the box blank because she wants a faster bench trial.
Most Special Civil Part cases are decided by judges in 15-minute slots; jury trials add months. The most common mistake is checking the box without budgeting the extra fee — the demand is invalid until the fee is paid, and you may waive the right. The misconception is that you can demand a jury at trial — the demand must be in the complaint or filed within 10 days after answer under Rule 4:35-1.
Plaintiff’s Certification and Signature
The form ends with a certification under Rule 1:4-4(b) that the matter in controversy is not the subject of any other pending action and that all statements are true. Sign in ink (paper) or type-and-date (electronic JEDS); print the name below the signature. Janet Patel signs Janet R. Patel and dates 05/23/2026.
A false certification is grounds for sanctions and even perjury charges under N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2. The most common mistake is dating the certification before the facts (e.g., dating 01/01/2026 but pleading a July 2026 event); the certification must be dated at filing. The misconception is that the certification is a formality — judges read it carefully when ruling on dismissal motions.
Civil Case Information Statement (Attached)
Attach the Civil Case Information Statement (CIS) to identify the case track, demand amount, and whether it is a consumer or contract matter. The CIS is required by Rule 4:5-1 and a missing CIS triggers an immediate deficiency. Marcus Johnson checks Contract for case type and writes $8,500 as the amount in controversy.
Pick the right track code — Track I in Special Civil Part covers most contract and tort cases. The most common mistake is leaving the case-type code blank, which forces a clerk to guess and may misroute the case. The misconception is that the CIS is optional in Special Civil Part — it is mandatory, just like the complaint itself.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three named plaintiffs walking the form from caption to certification. Each table has at least 8 rows tied to the form’s actual sections.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez Sues a Contractor for $8,500
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| County (top caption) | ESSEX |
| Docket Number | (left blank for clerk) |
| Plaintiff’s Name and Address | MARIA E. LOPEZ, 123 Elm Street, Newark, NJ 07102 |
| Plaintiff’s Phone / Attorney | (973) 555-0142 / Pro Se |
| Defendant’s Name and Address | RELIABLE REMODELING LLC, 45 Industrial Way, Newark, NJ 07105 |
| Statement of Facts | 4 numbered paragraphs describing contract, payment, abandonment, and demand |
| Count Heading | First Count: Breach of Contract |
| Demand for Judgment | $8,500.00, pre-judgment interest, costs of suit |
| Jury Demand | (left blank — bench trial) |
| Signature/Date | Maria E. Lopez / 05/23/2026 |
Scenario 2: Marcus Johnson Sues a Tenant for $3,200 in Unpaid Rent (Small Claims)
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| County | MIDDLESEX |
| Track | Small Claims (Track I, ≤ $5,000) |
| Plaintiff’s Name and Address | MARCUS JOHNSON, 200 Oak Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820 |
| Plaintiff’s Phone / Attorney | (732) 555-0167 / Pro Se |
| Defendant’s Name and Address | DAVID CHEN, 18 Maple Court, Apt. 2B, Edison, NJ 08820 |
| Statement of Facts | Lease dated 09/01/2025; rent of $1,600/month; March and April 2026 unpaid |
| Count Heading | First Count: Breach of Lease — Money Damages Only |
| Demand for Judgment | $3,200.00 plus costs of suit |
| Jury Demand | (left blank) |
| Signature/Date | Marcus Johnson / 05/23/2026 |
Scenario 3: Janet Patel Sues a Former Landlord for Security Deposit Doubling
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| County | MERCER |
| Plaintiff’s Name and Address | JANET R. PATEL, 77 Cedar Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540 |
| Plaintiff’s Phone / Attorney | (609) 555-0188 / Pro Se |
| Defendant’s Name and Address | RIVERSIDE PROPERTIES LLC, c/o Registered Agent Mark Reilly, 88 Main Street, Trenton, NJ 08608 |
| Statement of Facts | Lease term, deposit of $2,400 paid 06/01/2024, vacated 05/31/2026, no return within 30 days |
| Count Heading | First Count: Violation of N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1 (Security Deposit Act) |
| Demand for Judgment | $4,800.00 (double the $2,400 deposit), attorney’s fees, costs of suit |
| Jury Demand | (left blank) |
| Civil Case Information Statement | Case type: Other Contract; Amount: $4,800 |
| Signature/Date | Janet R. Patel / 05/23/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You may file the complaint through three channels, and the choice affects timing, fees, and proof of filing. Filing fees are set by N.J.S.A. 22A:2-37.1 and the NJ Courts fee schedule. Whichever channel you pick, keep a stamped copy and a record of the docket number.
Online via JEDS (pro se). Upload the PDF complaint, CIS, and exhibits to the JEDS portal, pay by credit card, and receive an emailed filing confirmation within 1–3 business days. The fee is $50 for one defendant and $5 per additional defendant in Special Civil Part, or $35 for Small Claims, plus $7 per defendant for mailed service and $3 per mile for personal service by a Special Civil Part Officer. Save the JEDS confirmation email as proof of filing.
Online via eCourts (attorneys). Attorneys file through the eCourts Special Civil system, which auto-deducts fees from the firm’s collateral account. Same fees apply, but the filing is accepted instantly upon submission, and the docket number prints on the confirmation page.
By mail. Send the original signed complaint, CIS, summons, and exhibits with a check or money order payable to Treasurer, State of New Jersey to the Special Civil Part Clerk of the county of venue. Use certified mail with return receipt as proof; mail filings take 5–10 business days to be docketed.
In person. Walk into the Special Civil Part Clerk’s window at the county courthouse with the complaint, payment, and ID. The clerk stamps your copy on the spot — that stamp is your proof of filing. Cash, money order, certified check, or credit card (where accepted) are the payment methods.
What Happens After You File
Once filed, the clerk issues a Summons (Form A-1) and forwards it to a Special Civil Part Officer for service on the defendant. Service is generally by simultaneous certified and ordinary mail under Rule 6:2-3(d); if mail is returned, the officer attempts personal service. The defendant then has 35 days from service to file an Answer.
If the defendant answers, the court mails a Track Assignment Notice with a trial date, usually 60–90 days out. If the defendant does not answer, the plaintiff files a Request to Enter Default and then a Motion for Default Judgment under Rule 6:6-3. For liquidated claims (a fixed dollar amount on a contract), the clerk can enter judgment by affidavit; for unliquidated claims, a proof hearing is set.
After judgment, you have 20 years to collect under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-5. Tools include wage execution (garnishment), bank levy, and post-judgment information subpoenas. Each post-judgment tool requires its own form and fee, and the Confidential Litigant Information Sheet becomes essential at this stage.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has bitten countless filers, and most can be fixed before submission with a careful re-read.
- Suing the wrong legal entity. Naming Joe’s Plumbing instead of J. Russo Plumbing Inc. makes any judgment uncollectable.
- Listing a P.O. Box for the defendant. Service fails, and the case stalls until you provide a street address.
- Demanding more than $20,000 in Special Civil Part. The clerk rejects and forces you to refile in Law Division.
- Forgetting the Civil Case Information Statement. The complaint is marked deficient and not docketed.
- Skipping the certification of no other actions. The complaint is unsigned in the eyes of the court and may be dismissed.
- Filing in the wrong county. A defendant motion to transfer venue costs 30–60 days.
- Omitting costs of suit from the wherefore clause. You forfeit the right to recover the filing fee after winning.
- Writing one giant unnumbered paragraph of facts. The judge and defendant cannot reference specific paragraphs, weakening trial proof.
- Failing to attach the contract or invoice. Oral-contract proof burdens are higher and judges may discount your damages.
- Mismatching plaintiff’s name in caption versus signature block. Clerks reject for inconsistent identification.
- Leaving the jury demand box checked without paying the jury fee. The demand is invalid and you may have waived a jury.
- Dating the certification before pleaded facts occurred. Triggers credibility questions and possible sanctions.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do download the latest version of Form 10550 every time you file, because revision dates change and old versions get rejected.
- Do verify defendant’s legal name in the NJ business records search before naming them, to ensure judgment collectability.
- Do number every paragraph of fact, because numbered paragraphs are the only way to cleanly cite testimony at trial.
- Do keep a stamped copy of everything you file, because proof-of-filing is your evidence in case of clerk error.
- Do calendar the 35-day answer deadline, because the right to default depends on it.
- Do include costs of suit in the demand, because forgetting it costs you the filing fee even after you win.
- Don’t use et al. or and others — Special Civil Part requires every party named in full.
- Don’t rely on the clerk for legal advice; clerks are barred from giving it under Rule 1:34-6.
- Don’t sign a blank or unfinished complaint, because the certification covers everything in the document.
- Don’t demand attorney’s fees unless a contract or statute authorizes them — the American Rule applies otherwise.
- Don’t wait until the last week of the statute of limitations to file, because clerk deficiencies can push you past the deadline.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box for the defendant’s service address, because personal service requires a physical location.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Pro Se Filing | Filing With an Attorney |
|---|---|
| Pro: No attorney’s fees, saving $1,500–$5,000 in a typical case | Pro: Attorney drafts a precise complaint, reducing rejection risk |
| Pro: Direct control over strategy and timing | Pro: Attorney appears at trial, sparing time off work |
| Pro: Fast — file the same day you decide to sue | Pro: Knows local judges and adversaries’ tactics |
| Pro: Small Claims is designed for non-lawyers, with simplified rules | Pro: Required for LLCs/corporations suing for over $5,000 under Rule 1:21-1(c) |
| Pro: Free self-help guides walk you through each form | Pro: Can pursue post-judgment collection efficiently |
| Con: Easy to miss the venue rule and get the case transferred | Con: Costs may exceed recovery in small disputes |
| Con: Certification language can trip up a non-lawyer | Con: You lose direct control of communications |
| Con: Risk of demanding the wrong damages and waiving them | Con: Attorney scheduling can delay filing |
| Con: No professional check on the count selection | Con: Attorney may decline cases under $5,000 as uneconomic |
| Con: Post-judgment collection is technically demanding | Con: Fee agreements add complexity |
FAQs
Do I have to live in the county where I file?
No. Venue under Rule 6:1-2 is based on the defendant’s address, where the cause of action arose, or where the contract was signed — not the plaintiff’s residence.
Can a corporation file a Special Civil Part complaint without a lawyer?
No. Corporations and LLCs suing for more than $5,000 must be represented by a New Jersey-licensed attorney; only Small Claims allows a non-attorney corporate officer to appear.
Is the filing fee refundable if I lose?
No. Filing fees are non-refundable, but if you win, costs of suit (including the fee) can be added to the judgment if demanded in the complaint.
Do I write my full middle name in the plaintiff caption?
Yes. Use the full legal name as it appears on official ID; mismatches between caption and signature block can cause clerk rejection.
Can I sue someone in New Jersey if they live in another state?
Yes. If the cause of action arose in New Jersey or the contract was performed here, long-arm jurisdiction applies under N.J.S.A. 2A:4-30.65, but service costs more.
Do I list the defendant’s mailing address or street address in the address block?
No to a P.O. Box alone — you must list a physical street address where a Special Civil Part Officer can deliver the summons under Rule 6:2-3.
Should I attach the contract to the complaint?
Yes. Attach a copy as Exhibit A; doing so simplifies proof at trial and supports a motion for default judgment by affidavit.
Can I add a defendant after filing?
Yes, by amending the complaint under Rule 4:9-1 before answer, or by motion afterward; John Doe 1-10 placeholders preserve flexibility.
Do I need to send a demand letter before filing?
No, but it is strongly advised; many judges expect to see one, and it can avoid a costly trial if the defendant pays after receiving it.
Is the jury demand box optional in the Wherefore section?
Yes. Leave it blank for a bench trial, which is faster and cheaper; check it only if you can pay the additional jury fee.
Can I demand attorney’s fees in Box for Demand for Judgment?
No, unless a contract clause or a statute (such as the Consumer Fraud Act) specifically allows fees; otherwise, the American Rule controls.
Is the certification at the end of the form really a sworn statement?
Yes. Under Rule 1:4-4(b), the certification has the same force as a sworn affidavit, and a knowing falsehood can lead to perjury charges.
Do I need a separate summons?
Yes. The clerk issues the Summons (Form A-1) along with the docketed complaint; the Special Civil Part Officer serves both together.
Can I file the complaint and pay later?
No. The filing fee must be paid at submission; an unpaid complaint is held in deficiency status and not docketed until payment clears.
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