The Appellate Division of the Superior Court is New Jersey's intermediate Appellate Court. It is generally comprised of 32 judges who sit in two and three judge panels chosen from parts consisting of four judges. Appellate Division judges hear appeals from decisions of the trial courts, the Tax Court and State administrative agencies. The Appellate Division decides approximately 6,500 appeals and 8,500 motions each year.
Each part is administered by a Presiding Judge. The Honorable Carmen Messano serves as the Court's Presiding Judge for Administration. The chambers of the Appellate Division judges are located in Atlantic City, Jersey City, Morristown, New Brunswick, Newark, Trenton, West Long Branch, and Westmont. Arguments are heard in courtrooms located in Morristown, New Brunswick, Newark, and Trenton, as well as other locations from time to time.
The Appellate Division considers appeals timely taken as of right from the final judgments of the Law Division and the Chancery Division of the Superior Court, final judgments of the Tax Court and final decisions of State administrative agencies. Litigants requiring Appellate Division review of interlocutory or interim orders of a trial court or agency may do so only with leave of the Court. This requires the filing of a motion for leave to appeal, which may be granted and ruled upon immediately, granted and permitted to be processed for a later determination, or denied. If leave is denied, the party seeking review may do so as of right following the final judgment of the trial court or final decision of the administrative agency.