N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-59
Review; landlord liable for unlawful proceedings
Operative Text
Proceedings had by virtue of this article shall not be appealable except on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. The landlord, however, shall remain liable in a civil action for unlawful proceedings under this article.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-59, eviction proceedings brought under this article generally cannot be appealed except on the narrow ground that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. At the same time, the provision preserves a separate civil remedy: a landlord who pursues unlawful proceedings under this article can be held financially liable in a civil action. These two rules work together to limit post-judgment appeals while still giving affected parties a meaningful legal recourse against improper conduct.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who initiate eviction proceedings under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-59 should be aware that the article's narrow appellate scope does not shield them from civil liability if those proceedings are later found to have been unlawful. Compliant operators generally ensure that any action taken under this article rests on a legitimate legal basis before filing, since the provision explicitly preserves a tenant's right to sue for damages arising from improper proceedings. Maintaining thorough documentation of the grounds for any eviction action is a practice commonly associated with lawful operation under this statute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-59 provides that while appeals of proceedings under this article are largely restricted to jurisdictional challenges, tenants retain the right to bring a separate civil action against a landlord whose proceedings were unlawful. This means that even after a proceeding has concluded, a tenant who believes the action was brought improperly may have grounds to seek civil damages. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help individuals understand what qualifies as an unlawful proceeding and what civil remedies may be available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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