The New Jersey Supreme Court issued a landmark decision today backing NJCJI’s position concerning the admissibility of expert testimony.  The Court agreed that the Daubert factors, long the standard in federal court, should now be used in New Jersey civil trials.  The Court also reinforced the role of New Jersey’s trial courts as gatekeepers for the admissibility of expert testimony.  And by adopting the Daubert factors, the Court has provided trial courts with more robust guidance in performing that gatekeeping role.

This development has been a top priority of NJCJI.  The vast majority of other states have already adopted the federal standard, putting New Jersey businesses at a growing disadvantage, as less rigorous gatekeeping invited out-of-state claims based on unreliable expert testimony.  This new decision will go a long way to keeping such meritless cases out of New Jersey courtrooms.