reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-54 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-54 - Drift lumber or boats taken up to be secured and kept; advertisement thereof; sale and disposition of proceeds

2A:44-54. Drift lumber or boats taken up to be secured and kept; advertisement thereof; sale and disposition of proceeds  Each person taking up any of the lumber or craft under this article shall secure and keep the same for 6 days in some convenient place, within 20 yards of the margin of the river or other waters in which the same may be found. If, within the 6 days, the same shall not be claimed by the owner thereof, and shall be of the value of $5 or over, the person taking up the same shall make advertisement thereof in a newspaper circulating in the neighborhood, at least once a week for a period of 6 weeks. The advertisement shall contain a true description of the lumber or boat taken up and a notice where the same is located. If the owner of such lumber or craft shall not claim the same on or before the date of the last advertisement, the person who has taken up and secured the same may sell the property at a public or private sale, at a fair and reasonable price. The proceeds of such sale, after deducting the compensation allowed by this article, and the expenses of the advertisement and sale, shall be held by the seller for 1 year after the sale, subject to the claim of the owner of the lumber or craft so sold, due proof of ownership thereof being first made. If no owner shall appear to claim such proceeds of sale, or, having appeared, shall fail to make due proof of ownership, the said proceeds of the sale shall become the property of the person so selling the same. If the value of the lumber or craft shall be under $5 and, if the same shall not be claimed by the owner thereof within 90 days from the time when they were taken up and secured, the person taking up and securing the same may appropriate them to his own use without making any advertisement or sale thereof. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-55 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-55 - Affidavit of claimant

2A:44-55. Affidavit of claimant  Any person claiming to be the owner of any lumber or craft found adrift and taken up and secured under this article, or his agent, shall, upon request verify his claim in writing under oath. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-56 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-56 - Rights and title of owners of lumber or boats taken up

2A:44-56. Rights and title of owners of lumber or boats taken up  Any person, or his agent, presenting such a written claim and paying the compensation, together with the expenses of the advertisement thereof, pursuant to this article, shall be entitled to the immediate possession thereof, and, as against the person taking up any such lumber or craft, such claim shall, in all courts of this state, be conclusive evidence of title. This section shall not be construed to affect in any way the title to any such lumber or craft as between any person claiming ownership thereof and other claimants thereto. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-57 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-57 - Definitions.

2A:44-57. Definitions.  As used in this article: "Apparel" includes the tackle and furniture of a vessel. "Owner" includes a master, agent, consignee or commander of a vessel. "Vessel" includes all ships, steamboats or other craft. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-58 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-58 - Application of article

2A:44-58. Application of article  This article shall apply to all vessels, whether or not enrolled, licensed or registered. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-59 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-59 - Debt continuing lien upon vessel; preferences

2A:44-59. Debt continuing lien upon vessel; preferences  A debt contracted by an owner of a vessel within this State, shall be a continuing lien upon the vessel and her apparel until paid, for: a. Labor performed or materials or articles furnished in this State for the building, repairing, fitting, furnishing or equipping the vessel in this State at the time when the same was performed or were furnished; or b. Supplies, provisions and stores furnished within this State for the use of the vessel; or c. Towing, wharfage and drydockage of the vessel and the expenses of keeping the same in storage in port in water or on land, including expenses incurred in taking care of and employing persons to watch the vessel. The lien shall be preferred to all other liens on the vessel, except mariner's wages. Amended by L.1976, c. 55, s. 1, eff. July 27, 1976. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-60 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-60 - Action to enforce lien

2A:44-60. Action to enforce lien  2A:44-60. Any person having a lien under this article may enforce the same by an action in the Superior Court.  L.1951 (1st SS), c.344; amended 1991,c.91,s.93.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-61 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-61 - Process of attachment; bond; sale of vessel; creditors

2A:44-61. Process of attachment; bond; sale of vessel; creditors  In any such action the lien claimant shall be entitled to process of attachment and the court may require or dispense with the giving of a bond. The court may allow other lien claimants and unsecured creditors to become parties to the action. The court may therein determine in a summary manner any issue arising in the action. The court may order a sale of the vessel at such time and upon such terms as it shall prescribe and fix the amounts of the expenses incurred in any such sale and direct the disposition of the proceeds of the sale. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-62 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-62 - Lien not enforceable against vessel seized under process of United States courts

2A:44-62. Lien not enforceable against vessel seized under process of United States courts  No proceeding had under this article to enforce a lien shall be had against a vessel seized by virtue of process issuing from a United States court having admiralty jurisdiction while the vessel is actually held under such seizure, nor against a vessel sold by order of such court except for debts contracted after the sale. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impair the validity of a lien created by this article, the payment of which shall be ordered, adjudged or decreed by a court of the United States. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-63 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-63 - Lien on vessel causing damage to another; enforcement

2A:44-63. Lien on vessel causing damage to another; enforcement  When a vessel shall have been run down or run afoul of by any other vessel and is damaged to the extent of $20 or more through the negligence or willful misconduct of the navigator of such other vessel, the owner of the damaged vessel shall have a lien upon the other vessel and her apparel to the amount of the damage sustained. Any such lien shall be enforceable in the same manner as in the case of other liens under this article. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-125 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-125 - Short title

2A:44-125. Short title  This article may be cited as the "municipal mechanics' lien law" . L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-126 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-126 - Definitions

2A:44-126. Definitions  As used in this article: "Contractor" means a person, his assigns or legal representatives, with whom a contract with a public agency is made. "Public agency" means any county, city, town, township, public commission, public board or other municipality in this state authorized by law to make contracts for the making of any public improvement in any city, town, township or other municipality. "Subcontractor" means a person having a contract under a contractor for the performance of the same work, or any specified part thereof, and also a person having such a contract with a subcontractor, for the performance of the same work or any specified part thereof. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-127 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-127 - Action to recover debt not barred

2A:44-127. Action to recover debt not barred  Nothing in this article contained shall affect or impair the right of a creditor for labor performed or materials furnished to maintain an action to recover such debt against the person liable therefor. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-129 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-129 - Commencement and extent of lien; exception

2A:44-129. Commencement and extent of lien; exception  A lien created by this article shall, from the time of the filing thereof, attach, to the extent of the liability of the contractor or subcontractor as the case may be, for the claim preferred upon any funds due or to grow due to the contractor from the public agency under the contract against which the lien claim is filed unless released as provided by section 2A:44-130 of this title. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-130 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-130 - Release of funds from lien; bond

2A:44-130. Release of funds from lien; bond  The funds to which a lien has attached as provided by section 2A:44-129 of this title may be released and paid to the contractor by the financial officer of the public agency upon the filing with such officer of a bond in double the sum of all claims filed under the provisions of this article against the contract or the funds due or to grow due thereunder, and conditioned for the payment of such sum as may be adjudged to be due under such claims. The bond shall be approved, as to the form by the chief law officer of the public agency, and, as to the sufficiency thereof, by the financial officer with whom it is filed. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-131 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-131 - Priority of lien over assignments

2A:44-131. Priority of lien over assignments  The lien given by and filed pursuant to this article shall have priority over an assignment, by a contractor or subcontractor to a third person of moneys due or to grow due to such contractor or subcontractor for labor performed or materials furnished for a public improvement referred to in this article even though such assignment was made prior to filing of notice by the lien claimant, but not if such money had been paid to the assignee at the time of the filing of notice. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-132 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-132 - Filing notice of lien claim

2A:44-132. Filing notice of lien claim  A lien claimant may, at any time before the whole work to be performed by the contractor for the public agency is either completed or accepted by resolution of the public agency, or within 60 days thereafter, file with the chairman or other head officer or with the secretary or clerk of the public agency, a notice of lien claim verified by oath of the claimant or his agent. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-133 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-133 - Contents of notice; variance of names not to affect validity of lien

2A:44-133. Contents of notice; variance of names not to affect validity of lien  The notice of claim under section 2A:44-132 of this title shall state: a. The name and residence or place of business of the claimant; b. The amount claimed and from whom due and if not due when it will be due; c. The amount, as near as may be, of the demand after deducting all just credits and offsets; d. The name of the person by whom employed or to whom the materials were furnished and whether he is the contractor with the public agency or a subcontractor; e. The general nature of the public work to which the contract relates; f. The name of the contractor and the name of the public agency with which the contract was made; and g. That the labor was performed for, or materials furnished to, the contractor or subcontractor, specifying which, and that they were actually performed or used in the execution or completion of the contract with the public agency. No variance as to the name of the contractor or subcontractor or name of the public agency shall affect the validity of the claim or lien. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-134 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-134 - Lien docket; entries; validity of claim not affected by failure to make entry

2A:44-134. Lien docket; entries; validity of claim not affected by failure to make entry  The officer of the public agency with whom a notice of lien claim is filed pursuant to section 2A:44-132 of this title shall give notice of the filing thereof to the financial officer of the public agency who shall, in a lien book kept by him, enter: a. The name and residence or place of business of the claimant; b. The name of the contractor and of the subcontractor, if any, referred to in the lien; c. The amount and date of the filing; and d. A brief designation of the contract upon which the claim is made. Failure of the officer of the public agency to notify the financial officer or of the financial officer to make entry in the lien book, shall not affect the validity of the claim. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-135 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-135 - Notice by public agency to contractor or person in interest

2A:44-135. Notice by public agency to contractor or person in interest  A public agency may, upon a notice of lien claim being filed with it pursuant to section 2A:44-132 of this title, serve notice upon the contractor and upon any person who may appear, by the records of the public agency, to have an interest in the fund in the possession of the public agency, that the claim is filed and requiring the contractor or person in interest to show cause before the governing board of the public agency, within 5 days from the service of notice, why the claim should not be paid. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-136 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-136 - Payment of claim by public agency if statement not filed; credit for amount paid; priority of claim of laborer

2A:44-136. Payment of claim by public agency if statement not filed; credit for amount paid; priority of claim of laborer  If the contractor or person in interest shall fail to file with the financial officer of the public agency, within the time prescribed by notice under section 2A:44-135 of this title, a statement duly verified, that the lien claim is unfounded and untrue, specifying in what respects the same is unfounded and untrue, the public agency may pay, without the order of any court, the claim out of the funds in its possession upon which the claimant has a lien. When payment is so made the public agency shall not be obliged to pay the same to the contractor but shall be entitled to credit upon the contract for the amount so paid. Nothing in this article contained shall impair the right of the priority of the claim or lien of a laborer as between the right of the laborer and a claimant or other person entitled to a lien. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-137 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-137 - Actions in superior court

2A:44-137. Actions in superior court  Any claimant who has filed a notice under sections 2A:44-132 and 2A:44-133 of this title may enforce his claim against the fund therein designated by an action of an equitable nature in the superior court. An action of the same nature to determine or terminate said liens may be brought in said court by the contractor, subcontractor or public agency. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-138 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-138 - Commencement of action; lien of other claimants preserved

2A:44-138. Commencement of action; lien of other claimants preserved  No lien created under this article shall be binding on the funds of the public agency, unless an action to enforce the lien claim be brought within 60 days from the time when the whole work to be performed by the contractor is either completed or accepted by resolution of the public agency, but if any action be brought by any claimant the lien of any other claimant may be preserved and enforced by filing an answer setting up his claim in such action within the time allowed by the practice of, or within such time as may be allowed him by, the court. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-139 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-139 - Parties to action; county or municipality when public agency not corporation

2A:44-139. Parties to action; county or municipality when public agency not corporation  The claimant first bringing an action for the enforcement of his claim in the superior court as provided by this article, shall make parties to the action all who have filed claims, the contractor, the subcontractor referred to in the claims, and the public agency with whom the contract was made. If the public agency is not a corporation, then the county or municipality under which it is constituted shall be made a party defendant. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-140 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-140 - Determination of validity of liens and amount due; judgment; ratable distribution; priority of laborer's lien; claim of subcontractor chargeable with amount paid to claimants

2A:44-140. Determination of validity of liens and amount due; judgment; ratable distribution; priority of laborer's lien; claim of subcontractor chargeable with amount paid to claimants  The superior court shall determine the validity and priorities of the liens of the plaintiffs and defendants and of all other liens which may be filed within the time prescribed by this article and the amount due from the public agency to the contractor under the contract and from the contractor or subcontractor to the respective claimants and shall enter judgment directing the public agency, out of moneys due from it to the contractor, to pay to the several claimants the sums found due to them respectively, with interest and costs upon claims adjudged to be just and valid under this article. If the amount due from the public agency to the contractor is not sufficient to make the payments in full, distribution shall be made ratably without regard to the priority in filing claims, and in either case the claims of the subcontractors shall be chargeable with the amounts paid to the claimants under them for labor performed and materials furnished in the execution of the subcontract; provided, however, a laborer shall have a lien prior to other liens upon filing notice under this article at any time before payments are due and made. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-141 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-141 - Payment by public agency into court

2A:44-141. Payment by public agency into court  The public agency may at any time during the pendency of the action pay into the superior court the amount which it admits to be due the principal contractor upon the contract. The contractor or claimants shall not be precluded thereby from seeking judgment for a further sum. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-142 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-142 - How discharged

2A:44-142. How discharged  A lien created under this article may be discharged by: a. Filing with the financial officer of the public agency a duly acknowledged or proved certificate of the claimant or his successor in interest, or his duly authorized attorney or agent or his attorney of record, stating that the lien is discharged; b. The lapse of 60 days since the completion of the work to be performed or the acceptance of the same by resolution of the public agency without the commencement of an action to enforce the lien claim or the filing of answer, within the time allowed by the practice of, or within such time as may be allowed him by, the superior court, asserting such lien in an action brought by another claimant; c. Satisfaction of a judgment rendered in an action to enforce the lien or claim; or d. The final judgment of the superior court in an action to enforce the lien to which the claimant was a party. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.
NJ Rev Stat § 2A:44-144 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 2A - Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice|Section 2A:44-144 - Sureties on and amount of bond; condition for payment of claims; bond deposited, held for use of interested parties

2A:44-144. Sureties on and amount of bond; condition for payment of claims; bond deposited, held for use of interested parties  2A:44-144. The bond required by this article shall be executed by the contractor with such sureties in accordance with N.J.S.2A:44-147 as shall be approved by the board, officer or agent acting on behalf of the State, contracting unit or school district, in an amount equal to 100 per cent of the contract price. The payment bond shall be conditioned for the payment by the contractor of all indebtedness which may accrue to any person, firm or corporation designated as a "beneficiary" pursuant to N.J.S.2A:44-143, in an amount not exceeding the sum specified in the bond, on account of any labor performed or materials, provisions, provender or other supplies, or teams, fuels, oils, implements or machinery used or consumed in, upon, for or about the construction, erection, alteration or repair of the public building or public work or improvement. The payment bond shall be deposited with and be held by the board, officer or agent acting on behalf of the State, contracting unit or school district, for the use of any beneficiary thereof. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344; amended 1995, c.384, s.2; 1996, c.81, s.3.