1:1-2. Construction and Relaxation; References to Marriage, Spouse and
Related Terms
(a) The rules in Part I through Part VIII, inclusive, shall be construed to
secure a just determination, simplicity in procedure, fairness in administration
and the elimination of unjustifiable expense and delay. Unless otherwise stated,
any rule may be relaxed or dispensed with by the court in which the action is
pending if adherence to it would result in an injustice. In the absence of rule, the
court may proceed in any manner compatible with these purposes and, in civil
cases, consistent with the case management/trial management guidelines set
forth in Appendix XX of these rules.
(b) As used in Part I through Part VIII of these rules and appendices,
references to "marriage," "husband," "wife," "spouse," "family," "immediate
family," "dependent," "next of kin," "widow," "widower," "widowed," or another
word that in a specific context denotes a marital or spousal relationship shall
include a civil union, as established by N.J.S.A. 37:1-28 to -36, and a registered
domestic partnership, as established by N.J.S.A. 26:8A-1 to -13, and the persons
in those relationships.
