Court Opinion

ID: 9948972
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-08 15:16:59.834223+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:26:25.508265
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                               APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
        This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the
     internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.

                                                        SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                        APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                        DOCKET NO. A-0735-22

LAURENCE ROTHSCHILD and
BARBARA ROTHSCHILD,

          Plaintiffs-Appellants,

v.

TOWNSHIP OF PARSIPPANY-
TROY HILLS and POLICE
ATHLETIC LEAGUE OF
PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS,

          Defendants/Third-Party
          Plaintiffs-Respondents,

v.

GARDEN STATE COIN STAMPS
CURRENCY SHOW, INC.,

     Third-Party Defendant-
     Respondents.
______________________________

                   Submitted February 13, 2024 – Decided March 8, 2024

                   Before Judges Mayer, Enright and Paganelli.
              On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
              Division, Morris County, Docket No. L-0356-20.

              Bathgate, Wegener & Wolf, PC, attorneys for
              appellants (Daniel J. Carbone, on the briefs).

              Cipriani & Werner, PC, attorneys for respondents
              Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills and Police Athletic
              League of Parsippany-Troy Hills (Robert Francis Ball,
              on the brief).

PER CURIAM

        Plaintiffs Laurence Rothschild and his wife, Barbara Rothschild,1 appeal

from the following orders: a February 1, 2022 order dismissing plaintiffs'

complaint without prejudice as to defendant Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills

(Township); a May 27, 2022 order denying plaintiffs' cross-motion to preclude

documents produced beyond the discovery end date and for leave to file an

amended complaint against the Township; a July 7, 2022 sua sponte order

declaring defendant Police Athletic League of Parsippany-Troy Hill (PAL)

entitled to charitable immunity; a July 13, 2022 order denying plaintiffs' motion

for reconsideration of the May 27 order; an October 3, 2022 sua sponte order

dismissing plaintiffs' complaint against the PAL without prejudice; and an

1
    We refer to plaintiffs by their first names. No disrespect is intended.
                                                                              A-0735-22
                                          2
October 25, 2022 sua sponte order dismissing plaintiffs' complaint against the

PAL with prejudice. We reverse all orders on appeal.

      Defendants describe the procedural pathway to the motion judge's

dismissal of plaintiffs' complaint with prejudice as "unorthodox."2 Because we

agree the approach taken by the judge in dismissing plaintiffs' complaint with

prejudice was unusual and inconsistent with our Court Rules, we are constrained

to reverse and remand the matter to the trial court.

      We recite the facts from the motion record, emphasizing the unusual

procedural history of this case. In May 2019, defendant Garden State Coin

Stamps Currency Show, Inc. (Garden State) rented premises owned by the PAL

to host a coin show. While attending Garden State's coin show, Laurence slipped

and fell in a puddle of water. He suffered injuries as a result.

2
  In their brief, defendants acknowledge the judge's decisions and rulings were
"not achieved via standard operating procedure." Our Court Rules are more than
aspirational goals or standard operating procedure. The New Jersey Supreme
Court is responsible for adopting the rules governing the practices and
procedures in all New Jersey courts. See R. 1:1-1. The Court promulgated the
Court Rules "for the purpose of promoting reasonable uniformity in the
expeditious and even administration of justice." Ragusa v. Lau, 119 N.J. 276,
283 (1990) (quoting Handelman v. Handelman, 17 N.J. 1,10 (1954)). Judges are
required to apply and follow these rules.
                                                                         A-0735-22
                                        3
      In April 2020, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint against the

Township, the PAL, and Garden State asserting claims for negligence. Barbara

asserted a per quod claim based on her husband's injuries.

      The Township and PAL filed answers. Because Garden State failed to file

a responsive pleading, the trial court entered default judgment against it. The

PAL subsequently amended its answer to include charitable immunity as an

affirmative defense. The court set November 1, 2021 as the discovery end date.

      The PAL and Township moved for summary judgment. The Township

claimed immunity under the New Jersey Torts Claims Act (NJTCA), N.J.S.A.

59:1-1 to 59:12-3, based on plaintiffs' failure to file a timely notice of a tort

claim under N.J.S.A. 59:8-8. The PAL asserted protection against plaintiffs'

lawsuit under the Charitable Immunity Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-7.

      In a February 1, 2022 order, the judge dismissed plaintiffs' complaint

against the Township "without prejudice." However, instead of addressing the

Township's arguments in support of summary judgment, the judge dismissed the

complaint for reasons not argued by the Township. The judge found:

            [T]he New Jersey Torts Claims Act has a heightened
            damages requirement. A temporary injury . . . is not
            recoverable under the act. . . .

            Here . . . [Laurence alleged he] suffered severe internal
            and external injuries [and] severe mental and emotional

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                                       4
            pain and suffering. . . . N.J.S.A. 59:9-2(d) states that:
            "No damages shall be awarded against a public
            entity . . . for pain and suffering resulting from any
            injury . . . [except] in cases of permanent loss of a
            bodily function, permanent disfigurement or
            dismemberment where the medical treatment expenses
            are in excess of $3,600.00." The [c]ourt finds nothing
            in these allegations that speaks to a claim for permanent
            loss of a bodily function, permanent disfigurement, or
            dismemberment. For this reason, [p]laintiff[s'] claim
            against the Township . . . is dismissed without
            prejudice.

      The judge also denied the PAL's motion for summary judgment without

prejudice. The judge concluded:

            [T]here remain[] issues of fact as to whether [the PAL]
            qualifies as [an entity entitled to charitable immunity].
            For this reason, . . . granting [s]ummary [j]udgment . . .
            in favor of [the PAL] . . . is premature. . . .

            . . . [H]owever, . . . if [the PAL] [is] to demonstrate that
            the Charitable Immunity Act was applicable . . .[,]
            [p]laintiff[s] would then bear the burden of
            demonstrating that the harm suffered was the result of
            a willful, wanton, or grossly negligent act. See N.J.S.A.
            2A:53A-7-1(c). The [c]ourt does not glean from the
            pleadings that such a degree of negligence took place
            here.

      On April 14, 2022, the PAL renewed its motion for summary judgment

based on charitable immunity. As part of its refiled motion, the PAL submitted

a table of revenue from 2019 to 2021 (revenue table), listing revenue received

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from "[p]ublic [c]ontributions and [f]undraising." The PAL did not produce the

revenue table during discovery.

      Plaintiffs cross-moved to preclude the PAL from relying on evidence

submitted after the close of discovery. Plaintiffs also sought leave to file an

amended complaint against the Township. In the proposed amended complaint,

plaintiffs specifically alleged Laurence suffered a permanent loss of a bodily

function, incurring medical expenses exceeding $3,600, to be entitled to

damages under the NJTCA.

      In a May 23, 2022 order, the judge denied the PAL's renewed motion for

summary judgment without prejudice. In his accompanying decision, the judge

wrote:

            In opposition to [the PAL's] [m]otion for [s]ummary
            [j]udgment, [p]laintiffs argue that [the PAL] has
            blanketly asserted that [it is] entitled to charitable
            immunity because of the substance of [its] by-laws.
            The [c]ourt finds that [the PAL] has offered a one-page
            document that demonstrates [its] sources of funding.
            The [c]ourt agrees . . . that blanket statements alone are
            insufficient to establish immunity under the [Charitable
            Immunity] Act. . . .

            . . . [T]he data as to [the PAL's] sources of revenue is
            neither sufficient nor dispositive. While the data . . .
            suggests that government support . . . and public
            contributions are high, "Program Revenue" as set forth
            in the exhibit, which made up between 9.7 and 32.3%
            of [the PAL's] total revenue between 2019 and 2021[,]

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                                        6
              is ambiguous[,] and more evidentiary support is
              needed. Accordingly, . . . an [evidentiary] hearing . . .
              is appropriate to determine whether immunity exists in
              this matter.

        Based on his findings, the judge scheduled a June 24, 2022 evidentiary

hearing on the issue of charitable immunity. The judge also determined there

was "no need to make determinations as to gross negligence" until after the

evidentiary hearing. Despite denying the PAL's motion for summary judgment,

the judge dismissed plaintiffs' complaint against the PAL without prejudice.

        The judge also rejected plaintiffs' cross-motion to bar the PAL from

relying upon documents not produced in discovery. The judge stated:

              [G]ranting [p]laintiffs' [m]otion to [b]ar [evidence] is
              overly prejudicial to [the PAL]. While the discovery
              period in this matter has elapsed, trial is not scheduled
              until September 12, 2022. [Because] there remain facts
              to be examined as to whether the Charitable Immunity
              Act properly applies to [the PAL], . . . a proper and
              meritorious basis exists for discovery to be extended for
              this purpose either by stipulation . . . or motion. 3

        Additionally, the judge denied plaintiffs' cross-motion for leave to file an

amended complaint against the Township. In denying the cross-motion, the

judge stated: "The [c]ourt has already found that [the Township] be properly

dismissed as a matter of law. . . . [T]he [c]ourt . . . finds no clear error or new

3
    The parties never extended the discovery period by stipulation or motion.
                                                                              A-0735-22
                                          7
facts to warrant granting a [m]otion to [a]mend the [c]omplaint to reinstate

claims against [the Township]."

      The day after the judge entered these orders, plaintiffs' counsel asked the

judge to clarify the May 23, 2022 order. Counsel noted the judge's order and

written decision were inconsistent because the order denied the PAL's motion

for summary judgment but then dismissed plaintiffs' complaint against the PAL.

      On May 27, 2022, the judge vacated his May 23, 2022 order and entered

an amended order. In the May 27, 2022 amended order, the judge denied the

PAL's renewed motion for summary judgment, denied plaintiffs' cross-motion,

and scheduled an evidentiary hearing on the issue of charitable immunity.

      A few days later, plaintiffs moved for reconsideration of the judge's May

27, 2022 order. Plaintiffs also asked the judge to reinstate their complaint

against the Township and allow the amendment of their claims against the

Township.

      On June 28, 2022, well after the discovery end date, the PAL submitted

over one hundred pages of financial documents for the court's "review and

consideration" in support of its charitable immunity defense. These documents

were not attached to a certification or affidavit. Three days after receipt of the

                                                                            A-0735-22
                                        8
PAL's financial documents, the judge held a hearing on the issue of charitable

immunity.

      Although the judge previously stated he would conduct an evidentiary

hearing, no witnesses testified at the July 1, 2022 hearing. Instead, the judge

heard legal arguments regarding the PAL's submission of financial documents

after the close of discovery and the evidence necessary to establish a charitable

immunity defense. Because the judge did not conduct an evidentiary hearing

consistent with his prior orders, plaintiffs lacked an opportunity to cross -

examine representatives of the PAL on the charitable immunity defense. Also,

given the three-day time period between receipt of the PAL's voluminous

financial documents and the scheduled evidentiary hearing, plaintiffs could not

retain an expert to review and refute the information in those documents.

      About a week after this court proceeding, the judge issued a sua sponte

order and accompanying written decision, finding the PAL received "a

significant amount of funding rooted in [c]haritable [c]ontributions[] and

[p]rogram [r]evenue." Based on the belatedly produced documents, the judge

concluded the PAL was entitled to charitable immunity.

                                                                            A-0735-22
                                       9
         In a July 13, 2022 order and accompanying written decision, the judge

denied plaintiffs' motion for reconsideration of the May 27, 2022 amended

order.

         Following the entry of these orders, the court clerk mistakenly marked the

case "closed." As a result, counsel contacted the court clerk "to determine

whether there was any need to appear for the September 12, 2022 trial date."

The court clerk "indicated that the matter would be 'reinstated' and that the

parties [would] need to appear . . . for the trial date."

         On September 12, 2022, counsel attended a case management conference.

At the conclusion of the conference, the Presiding Judge of the Civil Part

scheduled the trial for October 24, 2022. The next day, counsel for the PAL

sent a letter to the judge who decided the parties' motions, stating:

               There remains some confusion in this matter as to the
               [c]ourt's prior [o]rders, which became apparent at the
               September 12, 2022 conference. . . .
               ....

               The actual issue causing the confusion is whether the
               [PAL] has been granted summary judgment on the issue
               of charitable immunity or not.
               ....

               It appears, therefore, that the confusion lies in whether
               the [July 7, 2022 order] found (1) that the [PAL] was
               entitled to charitable immunity barring the claim and
               ending the case or (2) that the [PAL] was entitled to

                                                                             A-0735-22
                                         10
            raise the defense of charitable immunity[,] leaving the
            issue of gross negligence to still be decided.

      In response to this letter, the motion judge issued an October 3, 2022 sua

sponte clarification order, dismissing plaintiffs' complaint against the PAL

without prejudice. In his accompanying decision, the judge wrote:

            [T]he only remaining claim is for gross negligence.
            The acts and/or omissions by the [PAL] simply are not
            sufficient to support this allegation.

            "Gross [n]egligence" refers to behavior which qualifies
            as "indifference to consequences." Banks v. Korman
            Assocs., 218 N.J. Super. [370] (App. Div. 1987). To
            prove gross negligence, a plaintiff must offer more than
            mere assertions. See Skarbnik v. Life Time Fitness
            Inc., No. A-3229-10, 2021 WL [3923270 (App. Div.
            Sept. 2, 2021)], holding that a plaintiff who slipped and
            fell on a wet gym floor had not pled a viable claim of
            gross negligence. Here, [p]laintiff[s] merely claim[]
            that the [PAL] was negligen[t] in allowing a dangerous
            condition (namely a puddle of water) to remain on [its]
            premises, causing [Laurence] to slip and fall. This is a
            [barebones] accusation that falls short of gross
            negligence. No reasonable jury would find otherwise.
            Because no viable cause of action remains, the
            complaint must be dismissed.

      The PAL's attorney sent the judge another letter on October 3, 2022,

stating:

            The [October 3, 2022 decision] outlines the finding of
            no gross negligence, resulting in no viable claim and
            ordering that the [c]omplaint be dismissed. The
            [o]rder[,] however[,] dismisses the [c]omplaint without

                                                                          A-0735-22
                                      11
            prejudice.     [The PAL's] position under the
            circumstances would be that the [c]omplaint be
            dismissed with prejudice. This would allow the [o]rder
            to be considered final.

      The judge then issued an October 25, 2022 amended order, dismissing

plaintiffs' complaint against the PAL with prejudice. The judge did not elicit

further briefing or arguments from counsel before issuing the October 3 or

October 25, 2022 sua sponte orders.

      On appeal, plaintiffs argue the judge erred in granting summary judgment

to the PAL and Township.        Plaintiffs further contend the issue of gross

negligence is a question of fact to be decided by a jury. Additionally, plaintiffs

assert the PAL is not entitled to charitable immunity because it failed to proffer

clear evidence supporting its funding and revenue sources. Plaintiffs also claim

the judge erred in denying their motion to amend the complaint as to the

Township.

      We review questions of law de novo, including the applicability of a

charitable immunity defense. Green v. Monmouth Univ., 237 N.J. 516, 529

(2019).

      We similarly review a trial court's grant or denial of a motion for summary

judgment de novo, applying the same standard used by the trial court. Samolyk

v. Berthe, 251 N.J. 73, 78 (2022).       We consider "whether the competent

                                                                            A-0735-22
                                       12
evidential materials presented, when viewed in the light most favorable to the

non-moving party, are sufficient to permit a rational factfinder to resolve the

alleged disputed issue in favor of the non-moving party." Brill v. Guardian Life

Ins. Co. of Am., 142 N.J. 520, 540 (1995).

      A trial court's evidentiary ruling is reviewed for abuse of discretion.

Rowe v. Bell & Gossett Co., 239 N.J. 531, 551 (2019). We also review a trial

court's denial of a motion for reconsideration under an abuse of discretion

standard. Branch v. Cream-O-Land Dairy, 244 N.J. 567, 582 (2021). The same

abuse of discretion standard governs our review of a trial court's denial of a

motion to amend a complaint. Grillo v. State, 469 N.J. Super. 267, 275 (App.

Div. 2021).

      "When examining a trial court's exercise of discretionary authority," we

will "reverse only when the exercise of discretion was 'manifestly unjust' under

the circumstances," Newark Morning Ledger Co. v. N.J. Sports & Exposition

Auth., 423 N.J. Super. 140, 174 (App. Div. 2011) (quoting Union Cnty.

Improvement Auth. v. Artaki, LLC, 392 N.J. Super. 141, 149 (App. Div. 2007)),

such as when "a decision is 'made without a rational explanation, inexplicably

departed from established policies, or rested on an impermissible basis.'" Flagg

v. Essex Cnty. Prosecutor, 171 N.J. 561, 571 (2002) (quoting Achacoso-Sanchez

                                                                          A-0735-22
                                      13
v. Immigr. & Naturalization Serv., 779 F.2d 1260, 1265 (7th Cir. 1985)).

However, where a trial judge renders a discretionary decision under a

misconception of the applicable law, the decision is not entitled to our deference

and is reviewed de novo. Summit Plaza Assocs. v. Kolta, 462 N.J. Super. 401,

409-10 (App. Div. 2020).

      We first consider plaintiffs' argument that the judge erred in dismissing

their complaint against the Township. Plaintiffs assert the judge's dismissal

order violated their right to due process because they lacked notice or an

opportunity to be heard on a legal issue the Township never raised in its

summary judgment motion.

      The Township argued it was entitled to summary judgment because

plaintiffs failed to file the required notice of tort claim under N.J.S.A. 59:8 -8.

However, the judge dismissed the claims against the Township "without

prejudice" on an alternate basis—specifically, plaintiffs' failure to present

injuries cognizable under N.J.S.A. 59:9-2(d). Because this issue was not raised

or argued by the Township, plaintiffs contend they lacked any opportunity to

brief the issue or present legal arguments why Laurence's injuries satisfied the

statutory requirement under the NJTCA to recover damages. We agree.

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                                       14
      "The minimum requirements of due process of law are notice and an

opportunity to be heard." Klier v. Sordoni Skanska Constr. Co., 337 N.J. Super.

76, 84 (App. Div. 2001) (citing Doe v. Poritz, 142 N.J. 1, 106 (1995)). "[A]t a

minimum, due process requires that a party in a judicial hearing receive 'notice

defining the issues and an adequate opportunity to prepare and respond.'" J.D.

v. M.D.F., 207 N.J. 458, 478 (2011) (quoting H.E.S. v. J.C.S., 175 N.J. 309, 321

(2003)). A party must have "an opportunity to be heard at a meaningful time

and in a meaningful manner." Klier, 337 N.J. Super. at 84.

      Here, the judge unexpectedly dismissed the complaint against the

Township on a legal theory not advanced in the Township's summary judgment

motion. Plaintiffs had no notice of the legal issue raised by the judge and should

have been afforded a meaningful and adequate opportunity to respond. Under

the circumstances, we are satisfied plaintiffs were deprived of due process.

Thus, we reverse the February 1, 2022 order dismissing plaintiffs' complaint

against the Township. 4

4
  We also note a procedural anomaly in the judge's order dismissing plaintiffs'
complaint against the Township without prejudice. The Township moved for
summary judgment under Rule 4:46-2. The judge should have applied the
standard governing summary judgment motions and either granted or denied the
Township's motion. See Auster v. Kinoian, 153 N.J. Super. 52, 56 (App. Div.
1977) ("A summary judgment dismissing an action without prejudice constitutes

                                                                            A-0735-22
                                       15
      Because we reverse the February 1, 2022 order dismissing plaintiffs'

complaint against the Township, plaintiffs' arguments regarding the denial of

their motion for leave to file an amended complaint against the Township and

denial of their motion for reconsideration of the May 27, 2022 amended order

are moot and we need not address those arguments. See Housing Auth. of City

of New Brunswick v. Suydam Invs., L.L.C., 177 N.J. 2, 28 (2003) (declining to

reach issues rendered moot in light of the court's determinations on appeal). On

remand, the parties may renew motions relevant to their respective legal

positions.

      We next consider plaintiffs' argument that the judge erred in determining

the PAL was entitled to charitable immunity. Plaintiffs contend the PAL failed

to present sufficient evidence as to its revenue and funding sources to be entitled

to charitable immunity under F.K. v. Integrity House, Inc., 460 N.J. Super. 105

(App. Div. 2019). Plaintiffs also argue the judge failed to follow his own orders

and conduct an evidentiary hearing on the disputed factual issues related to the

PAL's entitlement to charitable immunity. Additionally, plaintiffs assert the

judge mistakenly considered financial records provided well after the close of

a contradiction in terms and a fundamental misconception of the nature and
purpose of the practice.").
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discovery and lacked authentication and attestation based on personal

knowledge.

      "Charitable immunity is an affirmative defense, as to which . . . defendants

bear the burden of persuasion." F.K., 460 N.J. Super. at 116 (quoting Abdallah

v. Occupational Ctr. of Hudson Cnty., Inc., 351 N.J. Super. 280, 288 (App. Div.

2002)). The "entity seeking charitable immunity must establish that it '(1) was

formed for nonprofit purposes; (2) is organized exclusively for religious,

charitable or educational purposes; and (3) was promoting such objectives and

purposes at the time of the injury to plaintiff who was then a beneficiary of the

charitable works.'" Ibid. (quoting Tonelli v. Bd. of Educ. of Twp. of Wyckoff,

185 N.J. 438, 444-45 (2005)).

      Entities "organized exclusively for educational or religious purposes

automatically satisfy the second prong of the charitable immunity standard." Id.

at 117 (citing Ryan v. Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 175 N.J. 333,

343 (2003)). However, if an entity asserts it is organized for charitable purposes,

such as the PAL, a court must review its funding sources "to discern whether a

charitable purpose is being fulfilled."     Ibid. Specifically, the entity "must

demonstrate some level of support from charitable donations and/or trust funds."

Ibid. (quoting Bieker v. Cmty. House of Moorestown, 169 N.J. 167, 178 (2001)).

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                                       17
In addition, the entity must "substantiate that its public service efforts relieve[]

the government of a burden." Id. at 121.

      To demonstrate charitable purposes, an entity must "submit sufficient

evidence to substantiate the source and use of its funding." Ibid. First, it must

"provide evidence to assist in analyzing its [financial records] and determining

the percentage of funds received from charitable contributions." Ibid. Second,

it must specify the fee structure for its programs and services and detail its

fundraising efforts with specificity. Ibid.

      Here, plaintiffs did not dispute the PAL is a nonprofit organization under

the first prong of the charitable immunity analysis.        Plaintiffs also agreed

Laurence was a beneficiary of the PAL's works at the time of his slip and fall

under the third prong.

      However, plaintiffs disputed the PAL's entitlement to charitable immunity

under the second prong because the PAL failed to establish it was organized

exclusively for educational or charitable purposes. Because there were disputed

facts under the second prong of the charitable immunity analysis, plaintiffs

understood from the judge's prior orders there would be an evidentiary hearing

on the PAL's entitlement to charitable immunity.

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                                        18
      Three days prior to the scheduled hearing, the PAL presented several years

of tax returns and other financial documents in support of its entitlement to

charitable immunity. 5 Under the circumstances, plaintiffs lacked sufficient time

to review the documents or to retain an expert to refute the information presented

in those financial documents. At a minimum, the judge should have adjourned

the hearing for plaintiffs to examine and refute the PAL's financial documents

in support of charitable immunity.

      Additionally, the judge did not conduct an evidentiary hearing consistent

with his prior orders. Rather, the judge heard legal arguments from counsel on

the issue of charitable immunity. The judge's failure to hold an evidentiary

hearing on the disputed factual issues related to the PAL's entitlement to

charitable immunity warrants a remand to conduct an appropriate hearing.

      Further, the PAL's belatedly supplied financial documents, upon which

the judge relied in finding the PAL was entitled to charitable immunity, were

not properly authenticated. Rule 1:6-6 provides:

            If a motion is based on facts not appearing of record or
            not judicially noticeable, the court may hear it on
            affidavits made on personal knowledge, setting forth
            only facts which are admissible in evidence to which

5
   The PAL's voluminous documents submitted to the judge were attached to
counsel's June 28, 2022 letter without any supporting affidavit or certification
from an individual with personal knowledge as required under Rule 1:6-6.
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                                       19
            the affiant is competent to testify and which may have
            annexed thereto certified copies of all papers or parts
            thereof referred to therein. The court may direct the
            affiant to submit to cross-examination, or hear the
            matter wholly or partly on oral testimony or
            depositions.

A document submitted in support of a motion for summary judgment must be

"authenticated by an affidavit or certification based on personal knowledge."

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Ford, 418 N.J. Super. 592, 600 (App. Div. 2011).

      Here, the PAL provided no affidavits or certifications based on personal

knowledge to authenticate the financial documents submitted to the judge with

its June 28, 2022 letter. Because plaintiffs challenged the authenticity and

accuracy of those documents, the judge erred in relying upon them to find the

PAL was entitled to charitable immunity.

      Moreover, the PAL's financial documents were supplied long after the

discovery end date. The PAL had ample opportunity during the discovery period

to provide financial documents in support of its asserted charitable immunity

defense. However, the PAL provided those financial documents just three days

prior to the scheduled evidentiary hearing. The PAL did not seek to reopen

discovery before submitting the additional financial documents to the judge.

      After the close of discovery, "[a] trial judge has discretion to permit

supplemental affidavits to be submitted on summary judgment motions." Sholtis

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                                     20
v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 238 N.J. Super. 8, 17 (App. Div. 1989). However, in

exercising that discretion, a judge should take into consideration whether the

party receiving the documents after the close of discovery requires additional

time to review and refute the information.

      Here, plaintiffs had only a few days to review financial materials belatedly

provided by the PAL prior to the scheduled evidentiary hearing. Nor did the

judge conduct an evidentiary hearing to allow plaintiffs an opportunity to cross-

examine the PAL's witnesses regarding the financial documents. Plaintiffs were

also deprived of the ability to retain an expert witness to examine the PAL's

voluminous financial documentation. For these reasons, we reverse the July 13,

2022 order and October 25, 2022 amended order dismissing plaintiffs' complaint

against the PAL and remand for an evidentiary hearing to resolve the factual

disputes concerning the PAL's assertion of charitable immunity.

      Given the "unorthodox" procedures employed by the motion judge in

dismissing plaintiffs' complaint against defendants with prejudice, we reverse

all orders on appeal and remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

On remand, the parties may revisit any issues upon the filing of appropriate

motions. We take no position on the outcome of any such motions. We simply

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                                      21
add that a review of any motions on remand must comport with the New Jersey

Court Rules.

      To the extent we have not addressed any of plaintiffs' remaining

arguments, those arguments are either moot based on our remand or do not

warrant discussion in a written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

      Reversed and remanded. We do not retain jurisdiction.

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