reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-19 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-19 - Notice to existing franchisee, protest, appeal.

56:10-19 Notice to existing franchisee, protest, appeal.  4. A motor vehicle franchisor shall give its existing franchisees in the same line make within 20 miles of the proposed location for the proposed franchise or business as calculated using the methodology set forth in subsection f. of section 1 of P.L.1982, c.156 (C.56:10-16) not less than 90 days' advance written notice of its intention to grant, relocate, reopen or reactivate a franchise of the same line make or establish, relocate, reopen or reactivate a business. Any franchisee in the relevant market area of the proposed franchise or business may file with the committee a protest to the granting, relocating, reopening or reactivation of the franchise or the establishment, relocation, reopening or reactivation of the business within 30 days of receipt of the notice or 30 days after the end of any appeal procedure provided by the motor vehicle franchisor, whichever is later. Any motor vehicle franchisee entitled to file a protest that does not receive the written notice from the motor vehicle franchisor and consequently does not file a protest may file an action in the Superior Court against the motor vehicle franchisor and the court shall enjoin and nullify the grant, relocation, reopening or reactivation of the franchise or the establishment, relocation, reopening or reactivation of the business, regardless of whether a protest by such motor vehicle franchisee would have been successful. In any such action, a successful motor vehicle franchisee shall be entitled to an award of reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and expenses. A protest shall set forth all reasons for objecting to the granting, reopening, or reactivation of a franchise and shall be accompanied by a concise statement of the facts and supporting affidavits for all issues raised in the protest. When a protest is filed, the chairman of the committee shall notify the motor vehicle franchisor and the franchisee in writing that it has been filed and shall forthwith determine either to transmit the protests to the Office of Administrative Law for hearing or to conduct a hearing directly. L.1982, c.156, s.4; amended 2011, c.66, s.8.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-20 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-20 - Rights of franchisor.

56:10-20 Rights of franchisor.  5. The provisions of sections 3 and 4 of P.L.1982, c.156 (C.56:10-18 and 56:10-19) notwithstanding, a motor vehicle franchisor may:  a. Permit an existing franchisee to relocate his franchise within two miles of the franchisee's existing franchise location, except that a franchise may not be relocated pursuant to this subsection unless at least five years have elapsed since any previous relocation pursuant to this subsection;  b. Reopen or reactivate a franchise or business which has not been in operation for a period of two years or less at a site within two miles of the prior site, provided that the rights accorded to the franchisor herein shall not apply to a successor or assignee of the franchisor of the franchise or business at the time the franchise or business was closed or deactivated; or  c. Permit the purchaser of a controlling interest in the shares or substantially all of the operating assets of an existing franchise to relocate the place of business of the franchise within two miles of the previously approved franchise location within 180 days of the date of purchase.  L.1982, c.156, s.5; amended 1991, c.460; 1993, c.189, s.3; 2011, c.66, s.9.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-21 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-21 - Hearing on protest.

56:10-21 Hearing on protest.  6. The hearing referred to in section 4 of P.L.1982, c.156 (C.56:10-19) shall be conducted as a contested case in accordance with the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c. 410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.) and P.L.1978, c.67 (C.52:14F-1 et seq.). The franchisor shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the proposed franchise or business will not be injurious. The testimony taken at the hearing shall be under oath and recorded verbatim, but the parties shall not be bound by the rules of evidence. True copies of any transcript and of any other record made of or at the hearing shall be furnished to any party upon request and at that party's expense. The committee may subpena witnesses and compel their attendance, administer oaths and require the production for examination of any books or papers relating to any matter involved in the hearing. The committee, at the request of any party, may subpena and compel the attendance of such witnesses as the party may designate and require the production for examination of any books or papers relating to any matter involved in the hearing. L.1982, c.156, s.6; amended 2011, c.66, s.10.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-22 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-22 - Motion for determination that final determination will favor franchisee; prohibition of action by franchisor

56:10-22. Motion for determination that final determination will favor franchisee; prohibition of action by franchisor  When a protest has been filed, as provided for in this act, the franchisee may move for a determination by the committee that a prima facie case has been made that the final determination will be in favor of the franchisee. If such a finding is made, the motor vehicle franchisor shall not grant, relocate, reopen or reactivate the proposed franchise or establish, relocate, reopen or reactivate the proposed business until the committee has made a final determination that that action does not violate this act. L.1982, c. 156, s. 7, eff. Oct. 27, 1982.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-24 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-24 - Parties responsible for own costs

56:10-24. Parties responsible for own costs  In any administrative proceeding under this act, each party shall be responsible for his own litigation costs and attorney fees. The committee shall assess and equally apportion among the parties to the hearing, and shall transfer to the Office of Administrative Law, the administrative hearing costs resulting from a protest filed pursuant to this act. Administrative hearing costs shall be based on a billing rate established by the Office of Administrative Law and approved by the Director of Budget and Accounting.  L. 1982, c. 156, s. 9; amended by L. 1987, c. 274, s. 1.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-25 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-25 - Rules and regulations

56:10-25. Rules and regulations  The committee may promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the provisions of this act. L.1982, c. 156, s. 10, eff. Oct. 27, 1982.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-26 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-26 - Definitions.

56:10-26 Definitions.  1. As used in this act: "Consumer" means the purchaser, other than for resale, of a motor vehicle. "Franchise" means a written arrangement for a definite or indefinite period in which a motor vehicle franchisor grants a right or license to use a trade name, trademark, service mark or related characteristics and in which there is a community of interest in the marketing of new motor vehicles at retail, by lease, agreement or otherwise.  "Motor vehicle" means and includes all vehicles propelled otherwise than by muscular power, and motorcycles, trailers and tractors, excepting: (1) those vehicles as run only upon rails or tracks, motorized bicycles, and buses, including school buses; and (2) those motor vehicles not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property and only incidentally operated or moved over a highway.  "Motor vehicle franchisee" means a person to whom a franchise is granted by a motor vehicle franchisor and who or which holds a current valid motor vehicle dealer's license issued pursuant to R.S.39:10-19 and has an established place of business.  "Motor vehicle franchisor" means a person engaged in the business of manufacturing, assembling or distributing new motor vehicles, or importing into the United States new motor vehicles manufactured or assembled in a foreign country, who will under normal business conditions during the year, manufacture, assemble, distribute or import at least 10 new motor vehicles.  "New motor vehicle" means a newly manufactured motor vehicle. "Person" means a natural person, corporation, partnership, trust, or other entity and, in the case of an entity, it shall include any other entity which has a majority interest in that entity or effectively controls that other entity as well as the individual officers, directors, and other persons in active control of the activities of each such entity.  "Place of business" means a fixed geographical location at which the motor vehicle franchisor's motor vehicles are offered for sale and sold, but shall not include an office, a warehouse, a place of storage, a residence or a vehicle. "Zero emission vehicle" means a motor vehicle certified as a zero emission vehicle pursuant to the California Air Resources Board zero emission vehicle standards for the applicable model year, but shall not include an advanced technology partial zero emission vehicle, a partial zero emission vehicle, or a hybrid electric vehicle. L.1985, c.361, s.1; amended 1991, c.409; 2015, c.24, s.3.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-27 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-27 - Sales through franchises only.

56:10-27 Sales through franchises only.  2. Except as provided pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2015, c.24 (C.56:10-27.1), it shall be a violation of this act for any motor vehicle franchisor, directly or indirectly, through any officer, agent, employee, broker or any shareholder of the franchisor, except a shareholder of 1% or less of the outstanding shares of any class of securities of a franchisor which is a publicly traded corporation, or other person, to offer to sell or sell motor vehicles, to a consumer, other than an employee of the franchisor, except through a motor vehicle franchisee.  L.1985, c.361, s.2; amended 2015, c.24, s.4.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-27.1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-27.1 - Sale of zero emission vehicle.

56:10-27.1 Sale of zero emission vehicle.  6. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a motor vehicle franchisor licensed pursuant to R.S.39:10-19 on or prior to January 1, 2014 and exclusively manufacturing zero emission vehicles may buy from and sell, offer to sell, or deal to a consumer a zero emission vehicle, provided that the franchisor owns or operates, directly or indirectly: (1) no more than four places of business in the State; and  (2) at least one retail facility for the servicing, including warranty servicing, of zero emission vehicles sold, offered for sale, or otherwise distributed in this State. This facility shall be furnished with all the equipment required to service a zero emission vehicle. A franchisor shall not be required to establish or operate a place of business at a retail facility for the servicing of zero emission vehicles. L.2015, c.24, s.6.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-28 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-28 - Prohibition of ownership by franchisor.

56:10-28 Prohibition of ownership by franchisor.  3. Except as provided pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2015, c.24 (C.56:10-27.1), it shall be a violation of this act for a motor vehicle franchisor, directly or indirectly, through any officer, agent, employee, broker or any shareholder of the franchisor, except a shareholder of 1% or less of the outstanding shares of any class of securities of a franchisor which is a publicly traded corporation, or other person, to own or operate a place of business as a motor vehicle franchisee, except that this section shall not prohibit the ownership or operation of a place of business by a motor vehicle franchisor for a period, not to exceed 24 consecutive months, during the transition from one motor vehicle franchisee to another; or the investment in a motor vehicle franchisee by a motor vehicle franchisor if the investment is for the sole purpose of enabling a partner or shareholder in that motor vehicle franchisee to acquire an interest in that motor vehicle franchisee and that partner or shareholder is not otherwise employed by or associated with the motor vehicle franchisor and would not otherwise have the requisite capital investment funds to invest in the motor vehicle franchisee, and has the right to purchase the entire equity interest of the motor vehicle franchisor in the motor vehicle franchisee within a reasonable period of time not to exceed 10 years.  L.1985, c.361, s.3; amended 1993, c.189, s.4; 2015, c.24, s.5.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-29 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-29 - Action by franchisee

56:10-29. Action by franchisee  A motor vehicle franchisee may bring an action against the motor vehicle franchisor which has granted its franchise, or any other person, in the Superior Court to enjoin any violation of this act and to recover, where appropriate, any damages sustained by the franchisee as a result of a violation of this act. The franchisee, if successful, shall also be entitled to costs of the action, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney fees.  L. 1985, c. 361, s. 4, eff. Nov. 12, 1985.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-30 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-30 - Actions, alternate dispute resolution proceedings relative to franchise termination.

56:10-30 Actions, alternate dispute resolution proceedings relative to franchise termination.  12. a. Upon timely institution of an action or alternate dispute resolution proceeding to enjoin the termination of a motor vehicle franchise on the ground that such termination would be in violation of the "Franchise Practices Act," P.L.1971, c.356 (C.56:10-1 et seq.), the termination shall be automatically stayed pending the final disposition of such action or proceeding, and the motor vehicle franchisor shall accord the motor vehicle franchisee all rights and privileges of a franchisee as if notice of termination had not been given. b. A successful motor vehicle franchisee in an action or alternate dispute resolution proceeding to enjoin the termination of a motor vehicle franchise shall be entitled to an injunction barring termination of the motor vehicle franchise in addition to any other relief provided for in section 10 of P.L.1971, c.356 (C.56:10-10). c. In any action or alternate dispute resolution proceeding with respect to the termination of a motor vehicle franchise, the motor vehicle franchisor shall have the burden of proving that termination of the motor vehicle franchise does not violate section 5 of P.L.1971, c.356 (C.56:10-5). In proving good cause for termination in any such action, the motor vehicle franchisor shall be limited to the grounds for termination set forth in the written notice provided for in section 5 of P.L.1971, c.356 (C.56:10-5). d. Notwithstanding the giving of notice of termination of a motor vehicle franchise pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1971, c.356 (C.56:10-5), at any time prior to the date on which the termination becomes effective, the motor vehicle franchisee may enter into an agreement for, and submit to the motor vehicle franchisor, notice of the transfer, assignment or sale of the motor vehicle franchise to another person. Thereupon, the motor vehicle franchisor shall proceed as provided for in section 6 of P.L.1971, c.356 (C.56:10-6). Upon approval of the transfer, assignment or sale by the motor vehicle franchisor and upon consummation of same, the notice of termination of the motor vehicle franchise shall be deemed withdrawn, and the transferee shall receive the motor vehicle franchise free and clear of all grounds for termination. Notwithstanding the terms of any notice, any court order or any other provision of law, a motor vehicle franchise termination shall not become effective while a notice of transfer, assignment or sale is pending with a motor vehicle franchisor. L.2011, c.66, s.12.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:10-31 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:10-31 - Request for additional information by franchisor.

56:10-31 Request for additional information by franchisor.  13. If a motor vehicle franchisor desires information about a transaction or a proposed transferee, in addition to that provided with the notice of intent pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1971, c.356 (C.56:10-6), the motor vehicle franchisor shall request all such additional information in writing within 15 days of receipt of the notice of intent. A request for additional information shall not extend the time within which the motor vehicle franchisor must approve or disapprove the transfer, provided that the additional information is submitted to the motor vehicle franchisor within 30 days after the additional information is requested by the motor vehicle franchisor. If the additional information is submitted to the motor vehicle franchisor more than 30 days after the request for that information, the time period for the motor vehicle franchisor to approve or disapprove the transfer shall be extended so that the motor vehicle franchisor has 30 days to approve or disapprove the transfer after receipt of the additional information. L.2011, c.66, s.13.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:11-1 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:11-1 - Definitions

56:11-1. Definitions  As used in this act: "Consumer" means a natural person. "Creditor" means a person, partnership, corporation, association or other entity who, in the ordinary course of business, regularly extends consumer credit. "Consumer credit" means credit extended to a consumer, primarily for personal, family or household purposes, pursuant to a plan under which the creditor may permit the consumer to make purchases or obtain loans, from time to time, directly from the creditor or indirectly by use of a credit card, check or other device, as the plan may provide. "Billing error" means the initial occurrence of an error by omission or commission by the creditor in a billing statement given to the consumer by the creditor in (a) posting any debit or credit or (b) the computation of any amount or (c) any similar error of an accounting nature. L.1974, c. 146, s. 1.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:11-2 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:11-2 - Inapplicability of act to statements of accounts of public utilities

56:11-2. Inapplicability of act to statements of accounts of public utilities  This act shall not apply to statements of accounts rendered to customers by public utilities whose billing practices are subject to the jurisdiction and regulation of the Board of Public Utility Commissioners. L.1974, c. 146, s. 2.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:11-3 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:11-3 - Written notice of billing error by consumer; acknowledgment by creditor; prohibition of communication on claimed billing error

56:11-3. Written notice of billing error by consumer; acknowledgment by creditor; prohibition of communication on claimed billing error  If a creditor, having transmitted to a consumer a statement of the consumer's account, receives from the consumer at an address designated therefor by the creditor in accordance with section 5 of this act, within 60 days of the mailing of said statement, a written notice, on a document other than a document provided by the creditor to accompany payment, by mail or other delivery setting forth sufficient information to enable the creditor to identify the consumer and the account, the amount and transaction shown in the statement which the consumer in good faith believes to be a billing error, and the facts providing the basis for the consumer's belief that the statement is in error; the creditor shall: a. Not later than 30 days after receipt of the notice, mail a written acknowledgment to the consumer; and b. Not later than 90 days after receipt of the notice and prior to taking any action to collect the amount believed by the consumer to be a billing error, (1) make appropriate corrections in the account of the consumer and mail to the consumer a written notice stating that the amount believed to be in error has been corrected and will be shown on the next statement mailed to the consumer or (2) send a written notice to the consumer setting forth the reasons why the creditor believes the account of the consumer was correctly shown in the statement; and c. Not communicate unfavorable credit information concerning the consumer to any person, including but not limited to credit bureaus or credit reporting agencies, based upon the consumer's failure to pay the amount believed by him to be a billing error, until the creditor has complied with this section. L.1974, c. 146, s. 3; L.1975, c. 94, s. 1, eff. May 14, 1975.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:11-4 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:11-4 - Transmittal of statements of account; collections

56:11-4. Transmittal of statements of account; collections  Notwithstanding the receipt by a creditor of a notice from a consumer as described in section 3 of this act, a creditor may, subject to the provisions of section 7 of this act, transmit statements of account to the consumer which include an amount believed by the consumer to be a billing error, and the creditor, further, may undertake collection procedures not attributable to such consumer's failure to pay, nor directed at, such disputed amount. L.1974, c. 146, s. 4.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:11-5 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:11-5 - Address of creditor on statements of account

56:11-5. Address of creditor on statements of account  Every statement of account rendered by a creditor to a consumer shall include the address to be used by the consumer in making inquiries concerning his statement. L.1974, c. 146, s. 5.
NJ Rev Stat § 56:11-6 (2021)
2021 New Jersey Revised Statutes|Title 56 - Trade Names, Trade-Marks and Unfair Trade Practices|Section 56:11-6 - Written notice of procedures to consumers by creditors

56:11-6. Written notice of procedures to consumers by creditors  In the case of any account under a consumer credit plan having an outstanding debit or credit balance of more than $1.00 at or after the close of the creditor's first billing cycle, after October 28, 1975, the procedures to be followed under section 3 of this act (C. 56:11-3) shall be disclosed by the creditor in a notice mailed or delivered to the consumer not later than the time of mailing of the next billing statement. With or before the first billing statement on any consumer credit plan issued or offered to a new consumer after October 28, 1975 and upon each subsequent renewal of a consumer's account a written notice shall be sent (by any means reasonably assuring the receipt thereof by the consumer) which describes the procedures to be followed under section 3 of this act (C. 56:11-3). L.1974, c. 146, s. 6. Amended by L.1975, c. 94, s. 2, eff. May 14, 1975.