Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 2A:23A-3

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • State: extends to and includes any State, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia and the Canal Zone. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
a. When parties have agreed to alternative resolution proceedings under separate agreements under this act, and the claims to be resolved may involve evidence, witnesses and testimony reasonably necessary to resolve issues and facts arising out of a related project or series of agreements, then these proceedings may be held in a consolidated alternative resolution proceeding. Whenever reasonably possible, the same umpire shall be designated to hear and determine these claims.

b. Whenever the claims to be resolved in an alternative resolution proceeding may involve evidence, witnesses and testimony reasonably necessary to resolve issues and facts arising out of a related project or series of agreements, which are the subject of litigation in any court of this State, the court may authorize consolidation of the alternative resolution proceeding and the court proceedings to advance expeditious use of court time; provided, however, that consolidation shall not be permitted to unduly delay the expeditious resolution of the alternative resolution proceedings provided for by this act.

c. The provisions of subsections a. and b. of this section shall be liberally construed to effectuate the remedial purpose of this act to provide for the expeditious resolution of disputes arising out of a related project or series of agreements.

L. 1987, c. 54, s. 3.