NEW JERSEY DIVORCE DISCOVERY

New Jersey divorce cases often require expert testimony from accountants, appraisers, mental health professionals and others. Before testifying, such experts must submit written reports summarizing their opinion, failing which they are barred from appearing at trial or, worst case, having the claim dismissed. That's what happened here, where plaintiff's complaint was dismissed. Rule 4:17-7 precludes consideration of the plaintiff's "updated" report, since it was not accompanied by a certification that the information was not reasonably available earlier through the exercise of due diligence. Plaintiff's case was fatally defective without the updated report. Plaintiff also violated Rule 4:24-1(c) by failing to file a motion to re-open discovery. The unexplained omissions do not qualify for equitable relief in the form of rule relaxation.  Chapadia v. Campbell, et al., New Jersey App. Div., August 21, 2006