N.J. Court Rules, R. 4:8-1

Summary

(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 ...