Kenneth Vercammen's Law office represents individuals charged with criminal and serious traffic violations throughout New Jersey.
RULE 4:7. COUNTERCLAIM AND CROSS-CLAIM
4:7-1. Mandatory or Permissive Counterclaims
Except as otherwise provided by R. 4:64-5 (foreclosure actions) and R. 4:67-4 (summary actions), a pleading may state as a counterclaim any claim against the opposing party whether or not arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the opposing party's claim. A defendant, however, either failing to comply with R. 4:30A (entire controversy doctrine) or failing to set off a liquidated debt or demand or a debt or demand capable of being ascertained by calculation, shall thereafter be precluded from bringing any action for such claim or for such debt or demand which might have been so set off.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-1. Amended July 16, 1979 to be effective September 10, 1979; amended June 29, 1990 to be effective September 4, 1990; amended July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992.
4:7-2. Counterclaim Exceeding Opposing Claim
A counterclaim may or may not diminish or defeat the recovery sought by the opposing party. It may claim relief exceeding in amount or different in kind from or not germane to that sought in the pleading of the opposing party.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-2.
4:7-3. Counterclaim Maturing or Acquired After Pleading
A claim which either matured or was acquired by the pleader after service of the pleading may, by leave of court, be presented as a counterclaim by supplemental pleading.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-4; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
4:7-4. Omitted Counterclaim
When a pleader fails to set up a counterclaim through oversight, inadvertence, or excusable neglect, or when justice requires, the counterclaim may be set up by leave of court by amendment.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-5; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
4:7-5. Cross-Claim Against Co-party; Claim for Contribution or Claim for Indemnity
(a) Cross-Claim. Except as otherwise provided by R. 4:67-4 (summary actions) and subject to the mandatory joinder provisions of R. 4:30A a pleading may state as a cross-claim by one party against a co-party including a claim that the latter is or may be liable to the cross-claimant for all or part of a claim asserted in the action against the cross-claimant.
(b) Claim for Contribution or Claim for Indemnity. A defendant shall assert a claim for contribution or indemnity against any party to the action by inserting in the answer above the signature and under the heading "Claim for Contribution" or "Claim for Indemnity", a general demand for contribution or indemnity from a named party and specifying the statute under which such claim is made, but without setting forth the facts upon which the claim is based. If a claim for contribution or indemnity is made, the answer shall be served upon the parties against whom such relief is sought and no responsive pleading thereto need be filed. A motion at trial for the dismissal of the complaint as against a co-defendant shall be made and proceeded upon in accordance with R. 4:37-2(c).
(c) Time for Assertion. Cross-claims may be asserted by any defendant as of right within 90 days after service upon the defendant of the original complaint or after service of the complaint upon the party against whom the cross-claim is asserted, whichever is later. A cross-claim may be thereafter asserted only by leave of court, which shall be freely given. A copy of the proposed cross-claim shall be annexed to the notice of motion seeking such leave. A non-settling defendant's failure to have asserted a cross-claim for contribution against a settling defendant, however, shall not preclude either an allocation of a percentage of negligence by the finder of fact against the settling defendant or a credit in favor of the non-settling defendant consistent with that allocation, provided plaintiff was fairly apprised prior to trial that the liability of the settling defendant remained an issue and was accorded a fair opportunity to meet that issue at trial.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-6(a)(b); paragraph (b) amended November 27, 1974 to be effective April 1, 1975; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 16, 1979 to be effective September 10, 1979; paragraph (a) amended July 18, 1990 to be effective September 4, 1990; paragraph (c) amended July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; paragraph (b) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
4:7-6. Additional Parties May Be Brought In
Persons other than those made parties to the original action may be made parties to a counterclaim or cross-claim in accordance with the provisions of R. 4:28 and 4:29.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-7.
4:7-7. Separate Trials; Separate Judgment
If the court orders separate trials as provided by R. 4:38-2, judgment on a counterclaim or cross-claim may be rendered in accordance with R. 4:42-2 (judgment upon multiple claims) even if the claims of the opposing party have not been dismissed or otherwise disposed of.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-8.
RULE 4:8. THIRD PARTY PRACTICE
4:8-1. Third Party Brought in by Defendant
(a) Procedure for Bringing in Third Party; As of Right or on Order. Within 90 days after the service of the original answer, a defendant, as third-party plaintiff, may file and serve a summons and third-party complaint, together with a copy of plaintiff's complaint, upon a person not a party to the action who is or may be liable to defendant for all or part of the plaintiff's claim against defendant and may also assert any claim which defendant has against the third-party defendant involving a common question of law or fact arising out of the same transaction or series of transactions as the plaintiff's claim. The third-party plaintiff shall serve a copy of the third-party complaint upon the plaintiff within 5 days after service thereof upon the third-party defendant. After the expiration of such 90 day period, a defendant may serve such summons and third-party complaint upon a third-party defendant only by leave of court, on notice to the plaintiff, annexing a copy of the proposed third-party complaint to the notice of motion.
(b) Procedure After Third Party Is Joined. The third-party defendant shall assert defenses to the third-party plaintiff's claim as provided by R. 4:6 and shall assert counterclaims against the third-party plaintiff and cross-claims against the other third-party defendants as provided by R. 4:7. The third-party defendant may assert against the plaintiff any defenses which the third-party plaintiff has to the plaintiff's claim. The third-party defendant may also assert any claim against the plaintiff arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff's claim against the third-party plaintiff. The plaintiff, within 45 days after being served with the third-party complaint, or, if the defendant has sought leave, within 45 days after being served with the order granting such leave, may amend the complaint to assert any claim against the third-party defendant arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of plaintiff's claim against the third-party plaintiff; thereafter plaintiff may so amend the complaint only by leave of court on notice to the parties to the action. The third-party defendant thereupon shall assert defenses as provided by R. 4:6 and counterclaims and cross-claims as provided by R. 4:7. A third-party defendant may proceed under this rule against any person not a party to the action who is or may be liable to the third-party defendant for all or part of the claim made in the action against the third-party defendant. The mandatory joinder provisions of R. 4:30A shall apply to all affirmative claims assertible pursuant to this rule, and discovery shall proceed as provided by R. 4:24-1.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:14-1; paragraph (b) amended July 21, 1980 to be effective September 8, 1980; paragraph (a) amended July 15, 1982 to be effective September 13, 1982; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996; paragraph (b) amended July 10, 1998 to be effective September 1, 1998; paragraph (b) amended July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000.
4:8-2. Third Party Brought in by Plaintiff
A plaintiff against whom a counterclaim is asserted may cause a third party to be brought in under circumstances which under R. 4:8-1 would entitle a defendant to do so and in the manner prescribed by R. 4:8-1.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:14-2; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
RULE 4:9. AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTAL PLEADINGS
4:9-1. Amendments
A party may amend any pleading as a matter of course at any time before a responsive pleading is served or, if the pleading is one to which no responsive pleading is to be served, and the action has not been placed upon the trial calendar, at any time within 90 days after it is served. Thereafter a party may amend a pleading only by written consent of the adverse party or by leave of court which shall be freely given in the interest of justice. A motion for leave to amend shall have annexed thereto a copy of the proposed amended pleading. A party shall plead in response to an amended pleading within the time remaining for response to the original pleading or within 20 days after service of the amended pleading, whichever period is longer, unless the court otherwise orders.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:15-1; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; amended June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996.
4:9-2. Amendments to Conform to the Evidence
When issues not raised by the pleadings and pretrial order are tried by consent or without the objection of the parties, they shall be treated in all respects as if they had been raised in the pleadings and pretrial order. Such amendment of the pleadings and pretrial order as may be necessary to cause them to conform to the evidence and to raise these issues may be made upon motion of any party at any time, even after judgment; but failure so to amend shall not affect the result of the trial of these issues. If evidence is objected to at the trial on the ground that it is not within the issues made by the pleadings and pretrial order, the court may allow the pleadings and pretrial order to be amended and shall do so freely when the presentation of the merits of the action will be thereby subserved and the objecting party fails to satisfy the court that the admission of such evidence would be prejudicial in maintaining the action or defense upon the merits. The court may grant a continuance to enable the objecting party to meet such evidence.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:15-2; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
4:9-3. When Amendments Relate Back
Whenever the claim or defense asserted in the amended pleading arose out of the conduct, transaction or occurrence set forth or attempted to be set forth in the original pleading, the amendment relates back to the date of the original pleading; but the court, in addition to its power to allow amendments may, upon terms, permit the statement of a new or different claim or defense in the pleading. An amendment changing the party against whom a claim is asserted relates back if the foregoing provision is satisfied and, within the period provided by law for commencing the action against the party to be brought in by amendment, that party (1) has received such notice of the institution of the action that the party will not be prejudiced in maintaining a defense on the merits, and (2) knew or should have known that, but for a mistake concerning the identity of the proper party, the action would have been brought against the party to be brought in by amendment.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:15-3; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
4:9-4. Supplemental Pleadings
On motion by a party the court may, upon reasonable notice and on terms, permit that party to serve a supplemental pleading setting forth transactions or occurrences which took place after the date of the pleading sought to be supplemented. A motion for leave to file a supplemental pleading shall have annexed thereto a copy of the proposed pleading. The court may require the opposing party to plead thereto, specifying in its order the time therefor.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:15-4; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
TRIAL AND LITIGATION EXPERIENCE
In his private practice, he has devoted a substantial portion of his professional time to the preparation and trial of litigated matters. He appears in Courts throughout New Jersey several times each week on many personal injury matters, Criminal and Municipal/ traffic Court trials, Probate hearings, and contested administrative law hearings.
Mr. Vercammen served as the Prosecutor for the Township of Cranbury, Middlesex County and is involved in trials on a weekly basis. He also argued all pre-trial motions and post-trial applications on behalf of the State of New Jersey.
He has also served as a Special Acting Prosecutor in Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Hightstown, Carteret, East Brunswick, Jamesburg, South Brunswick, South River and South Plainfield for conflict cases. Since 1989, he has personally handled hundreds of criminal and motor vehicle matters as a Prosecutor and now as defense counsel and has had substantial success.
Previously, Mr. Vercammen was Public Defender for the Township of Edison and Borough of Metuchen He represented all indigent individuals facing consequences of magnitude. On a twice-weekly basis, he was in Court trying cases and making motions. In 1990 and 1991, he represented approximately 250 clients and handled difficult criminal and motor vehicle matters. Every case he personally handled and prepared.
His resume sets forth the numerous bar associations and activities which demonstrate his commitment to the legal profession and providing quality representation to clients.
Since 1985, his primary concentration has been on litigation matters. Mr. Vercammen gained other legal experiences as the Confidential Law Clerk to the Court of Appeals of Maryland (Supreme Court) with the Delaware County, PA District Attorney Office handling Probable Cause Hearings, Middlesex County Probation Department as a Probation Officer, and an Executive Assistant to Scranton District Magistrate, Thomas Hart, in Scranton, PA.
http://www.njlaws.com/counterclaim_and_cross_claim.html?id=129&a=
RULE 4:7. COUNTERCLAIM AND CROSS-CLAIM
4:7-1. Mandatory or Permissive Counterclaims
Except as otherwise provided by R. 4:64-5 (foreclosure actions) and R. 4:67-4 (summary actions), a pleading may state as a counterclaim any claim against the opposing party whether or not arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the opposing party's claim. A defendant, however, either failing to comply with R. 4:30A (entire controversy doctrine) or failing to set off a liquidated debt or demand or a debt or demand capable of being ascertained by calculation, shall thereafter be precluded from bringing any action for such claim or for such debt or demand which might have been so set off.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-1. Amended July 16, 1979 to be effective September 10, 1979; amended June 29, 1990 to be effective September 4, 1990; amended July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992.
4:7-2. Counterclaim Exceeding Opposing Claim
A counterclaim may or may not diminish or defeat the recovery sought by the opposing party. It may claim relief exceeding in amount or different in kind from or not germane to that sought in the pleading of the opposing party.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-2.
4:7-3. Counterclaim Maturing or Acquired After Pleading
A claim which either matured or was acquired by the pleader after service of the pleading may, by leave of court, be presented as a counterclaim by supplemental pleading.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-4; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
4:7-4. Omitted Counterclaim
When a pleader fails to set up a counterclaim through oversight, inadvertence, or excusable neglect, or when justice requires, the counterclaim may be set up by leave of court by amendment.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-5; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
4:7-5. Cross-Claim Against Co-party; Claim for Contribution or Claim for Indemnity
(a) Cross-Claim. Except as otherwise provided by R. 4:67-4 (summary actions) and subject to the mandatory joinder provisions of R. 4:30A a pleading may state as a cross-claim by one party against a co-party including a claim that the latter is or may be liable to the cross-claimant for all or part of a claim asserted in the action against the cross-claimant.
(b) Claim for Contribution or Claim for Indemnity. A defendant shall assert a claim for contribution or indemnity against any party to the action by inserting in the answer above the signature and under the heading "Claim for Contribution" or "Claim for Indemnity", a general demand for contribution or indemnity from a named party and specifying the statute under which such claim is made, but without setting forth the facts upon which the claim is based. If a claim for contribution or indemnity is made, the answer shall be served upon the parties against whom such relief is sought and no responsive pleading thereto need be filed. A motion at trial for the dismissal of the complaint as against a co-defendant shall be made and proceeded upon in accordance with R. 4:37-2(c).
(c) Time for Assertion. Cross-claims may be asserted by any defendant as of right within 90 days after service upon the defendant of the original complaint or after service of the complaint upon the party against whom the cross-claim is asserted, whichever is later. A cross-claim may be thereafter asserted only by leave of court, which shall be freely given. A copy of the proposed cross-claim shall be annexed to the notice of motion seeking such leave. A non-settling defendant's failure to have asserted a cross-claim for contribution against a settling defendant, however, shall not preclude either an allocation of a percentage of negligence by the finder of fact against the settling defendant or a credit in favor of the non-settling defendant consistent with that allocation, provided plaintiff was fairly apprised prior to trial that the liability of the settling defendant remained an issue and was accorded a fair opportunity to meet that issue at trial.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-6(a)(b); paragraph (b) amended November 27, 1974 to be effective April 1, 1975; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 16, 1979 to be effective September 10, 1979; paragraph (a) amended July 18, 1990 to be effective September 4, 1990; paragraph (c) amended July 14, 1992 to be effective September 1, 1992; paragraph (b) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
4:7-6. Additional Parties May Be Brought In
Persons other than those made parties to the original action may be made parties to a counterclaim or cross-claim in accordance with the provisions of R. 4:28 and 4:29.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-7.
4:7-7. Separate Trials; Separate Judgment
If the court orders separate trials as provided by R. 4:38-2, judgment on a counterclaim or cross-claim may be rendered in accordance with R. 4:42-2 (judgment upon multiple claims) even if the claims of the opposing party have not been dismissed or otherwise disposed of.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:13-8.
RULE 4:8. THIRD PARTY PRACTICE
4:8-1. Third Party Brought in by Defendant
(a) Procedure for Bringing in Third Party; As of Right or on Order. Within 90 days after the service of the original answer, a defendant, as third-party plaintiff, may file and serve a summons and third-party complaint, together with a copy of plaintiff's complaint, upon a person not a party to the action who is or may be liable to defendant for all or part of the plaintiff's claim against defendant and may also assert any claim which defendant has against the third-party defendant involving a common question of law or fact arising out of the same transaction or series of transactions as the plaintiff's claim. The third-party plaintiff shall serve a copy of the third-party complaint upon the plaintiff within 5 days after service thereof upon the third-party defendant. After the expiration of such 90 day period, a defendant may serve such summons and third-party complaint upon a third-party defendant only by leave of court, on notice to the plaintiff, annexing a copy of the proposed third-party complaint to the notice of motion.
(b) Procedure After Third Party Is Joined. The third-party defendant shall assert defenses to the third-party plaintiff's claim as provided by R. 4:6 and shall assert counterclaims against the third-party plaintiff and cross-claims against the other third-party defendants as provided by R. 4:7. The third-party defendant may assert against the plaintiff any defenses which the third-party plaintiff has to the plaintiff's claim. The third-party defendant may also assert any claim against the plaintiff arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff's claim against the third-party plaintiff. The plaintiff, within 45 days after being served with the third-party complaint, or, if the defendant has sought leave, within 45 days after being served with the order granting such leave, may amend the complaint to assert any claim against the third-party defendant arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of plaintiff's claim against the third-party plaintiff; thereafter plaintiff may so amend the complaint only by leave of court on notice to the parties to the action. The third-party defendant thereupon shall assert defenses as provided by R. 4:6 and counterclaims and cross-claims as provided by R. 4:7. A third-party defendant may proceed under this rule against any person not a party to the action who is or may be liable to the third-party defendant for all or part of the claim made in the action against the third-party defendant. The mandatory joinder provisions of R. 4:30A shall apply to all affirmative claims assertible pursuant to this rule, and discovery shall proceed as provided by R. 4:24-1.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:14-1; paragraph (b) amended July 21, 1980 to be effective September 8, 1980; paragraph (a) amended July 15, 1982 to be effective September 13, 1982; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; paragraphs (a) and (b) amended June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996; paragraph (b) amended July 10, 1998 to be effective September 1, 1998; paragraph (b) amended July 5, 2000 to be effective September 5, 2000.
4:8-2. Third Party Brought in by Plaintiff
A plaintiff against whom a counterclaim is asserted may cause a third party to be brought in under circumstances which under R. 4:8-1 would entitle a defendant to do so and in the manner prescribed by R. 4:8-1.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:14-2; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
RULE 4:9. AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTAL PLEADINGS
4:9-1. Amendments
A party may amend any pleading as a matter of course at any time before a responsive pleading is served or, if the pleading is one to which no responsive pleading is to be served, and the action has not been placed upon the trial calendar, at any time within 90 days after it is served. Thereafter a party may amend a pleading only by written consent of the adverse party or by leave of court which shall be freely given in the interest of justice. A motion for leave to amend shall have annexed thereto a copy of the proposed amended pleading. A party shall plead in response to an amended pleading within the time remaining for response to the original pleading or within 20 days after service of the amended pleading, whichever period is longer, unless the court otherwise orders.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:15-1; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994; amended June 28, 1996 to be effective September 1, 1996.
4:9-2. Amendments to Conform to the Evidence
When issues not raised by the pleadings and pretrial order are tried by consent or without the objection of the parties, they shall be treated in all respects as if they had been raised in the pleadings and pretrial order. Such amendment of the pleadings and pretrial order as may be necessary to cause them to conform to the evidence and to raise these issues may be made upon motion of any party at any time, even after judgment; but failure so to amend shall not affect the result of the trial of these issues. If evidence is objected to at the trial on the ground that it is not within the issues made by the pleadings and pretrial order, the court may allow the pleadings and pretrial order to be amended and shall do so freely when the presentation of the merits of the action will be thereby subserved and the objecting party fails to satisfy the court that the admission of such evidence would be prejudicial in maintaining the action or defense upon the merits. The court may grant a continuance to enable the objecting party to meet such evidence.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:15-2; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
4:9-3. When Amendments Relate Back
Whenever the claim or defense asserted in the amended pleading arose out of the conduct, transaction or occurrence set forth or attempted to be set forth in the original pleading, the amendment relates back to the date of the original pleading; but the court, in addition to its power to allow amendments may, upon terms, permit the statement of a new or different claim or defense in the pleading. An amendment changing the party against whom a claim is asserted relates back if the foregoing provision is satisfied and, within the period provided by law for commencing the action against the party to be brought in by amendment, that party (1) has received such notice of the institution of the action that the party will not be prejudiced in maintaining a defense on the merits, and (2) knew or should have known that, but for a mistake concerning the identity of the proper party, the action would have been brought against the party to be brought in by amendment.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:15-3; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
4:9-4. Supplemental Pleadings
On motion by a party the court may, upon reasonable notice and on terms, permit that party to serve a supplemental pleading setting forth transactions or occurrences which took place after the date of the pleading sought to be supplemented. A motion for leave to file a supplemental pleading shall have annexed thereto a copy of the proposed pleading. The court may require the opposing party to plead thereto, specifying in its order the time therefor.
Note: Source-R.R. 4:15-4; amended July 13, 1994 to be effective September 1, 1994.
KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
TRIAL AND LITIGATION EXPERIENCE
In his private practice, he has devoted a substantial portion of his professional time to the preparation and trial of litigated matters. He appears in Courts throughout New Jersey several times each week on many personal injury matters, Criminal and Municipal/ traffic Court trials, Probate hearings, and contested administrative law hearings.
Mr. Vercammen served as the Prosecutor for the Township of Cranbury, Middlesex County and is involved in trials on a weekly basis. He also argued all pre-trial motions and post-trial applications on behalf of the State of New Jersey.
He has also served as a Special Acting Prosecutor in Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Hightstown, Carteret, East Brunswick, Jamesburg, South Brunswick, South River and South Plainfield for conflict cases. Since 1989, he has personally handled hundreds of criminal and motor vehicle matters as a Prosecutor and now as defense counsel and has had substantial success.
Previously, Mr. Vercammen was Public Defender for the Township of Edison and Borough of Metuchen He represented all indigent individuals facing consequences of magnitude. On a twice-weekly basis, he was in Court trying cases and making motions. In 1990 and 1991, he represented approximately 250 clients and handled difficult criminal and motor vehicle matters. Every case he personally handled and prepared.
His resume sets forth the numerous bar associations and activities which demonstrate his commitment to the legal profession and providing quality representation to clients.
Since 1985, his primary concentration has been on litigation matters. Mr. Vercammen gained other legal experiences as the Confidential Law Clerk to the Court of Appeals of Maryland (Supreme Court) with the Delaware County, PA District Attorney Office handling Probable Cause Hearings, Middlesex County Probation Department as a Probation Officer, and an Executive Assistant to Scranton District Magistrate, Thomas Hart, in Scranton, PA.
http://www.njlaws.com/counterclaim_and_cross_claim.html?id=129&a=
