Motions Practice

The Special Master reviews a variety of motions in civil and family cases and makes recommendations for ruling. A (non-exhaustive) list of the specific civil and family motions reviewed by the Special Master is listed below.

CIVIL (NON-DOMESTIC) MOTIONS REVIEWED BY THE SPECIAL MASTER
	Abate Interest Access to Property Admit Out of State Attorney Alternate Service Amend Scheduling Order Appoint Trustee/Receiver Appropriate Relief Attorney’s Fees Auditor’s Report Body Attachment Charging Order Class Certification Compel/Sanctions/Protective Order Files are reviewed to determine whether resolution can be achieved without a hearing. Compensation for Auditor Confessed Judgment Confirm Arbitration Default as to Discovery Default as to Garnishee Deposit Funds into Court Registry Dismiss Disqualify Attorney Extend Time to File an Opposition/Answer, etc. Extend Page Limit/Time for Filing, etc. Foreclosures Ratify Audits, Motions for Judgment Awarding Possession Lost Note Affidavit Reduce Bond, Show Cause Order, Exceptions Forfeit Deposit Forfeit Motor Vehicle Friendly Suit Interpleader Intervene Judgment (partial, renewal, by consent, garnishment) Mechanic’s Liens Modifications to Scheduling Orders Possession (foreclosure) Protective Order (not domestic violence) Psychological/mental evaluations Quash Reconsideration Reconsideration of Dismissal (by Administrative Judge) Resale of Property Sanctions (as indicated above) Show Cause Orders Strike Pleadings Structured Settlements Substitute Trustee/Purchaser Summary Judgment Terminate Trust Track Change Requests Waiver of Prepayment of Fees Withdraw Bond
FAMILY MOTIONS REVIEWED BY THE SPECIAL MASTER
	Admit Out of State Attorney Alternate Service Appoint Trustee Compel/Sanctions/Protective Order Files are reviewed to determine whether resolution can be achieved without a hearing. Default as to discovery Default as to Garnishee Dismiss Domestic Violence (to set hearing only) Extend Time to File an Opposition/Answer, etc. Intervene Miscellaneous Petitions (e.g. Amendments to Birth Certificates and Marriage Licenses) Name Changes Quash Reconsideration Sanctions (as indicated above) Strike Pleadings Summary Judgment Vacate Order for ADR, Extend Time for ADR Waiver of Prepayment of Fees

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Alternative Dispute Resolution Program

The Special Master’s office coordinates all court related referrals to ADR for civil, family and medical malpractice cases. This includes generating the initial order, correspondence with facilitators and counsel, advising the Assignment Office regarding ADR outcomes and entering data into the court’s data base for statistical purposes.

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Differentiated Case Management System

The Special Master is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the DCM system by ensuring that cases fall within the guidelines set by the Administrative Office of the Court for time standards in civil and domestic cases. Requests to modify Scheduling Orders must take into account the following time standards: Civil (non-domestic) cases must be completed within 18 months of the filing date (not the service date). Ninety percent of domestic cases shall be completed within 1 year of filing; 98% shall be completed within two years of filing. Time standards are very important, as that is one measure of the court’s effectiveness and may affect funding and other matters. Within these parameters, the court is generous about granting extensions, even extensions of the discovery deadline beyond the pretrial date, if meritorious.

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