The judgment in a lawsuit is the court’s final determination of the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the disputed matters. It describes the relief or recovery that one party should have from the other—whether in the form of money, ownership of disputed assets, or injunctive relief that requires a party to take a certain action (make mortgage payments or sell a piece of real or personal property) or refrain from taking an certain action (contacting another person by phone or email or coming within 100 feet of them).

The date on which the court signs the judgment usually triggers or begins the running of postjudgment deadlines such as for filing a notice of appeal of the judgment.

In New Jersey, a judgment in a lawsuit represents the court's final decision on the rights and obligations of the parties involved in a legal dispute. This judgment specifies the type of relief one party is entitled to from the other, which can include monetary compensation, transfer of asset ownership, or injunctive relief, which may compel a party to perform a specific action or to refrain from certain behaviors. Once the court signs the judgment, it becomes the official ruling in the case, and this date is critical as it starts the clock on various post-judgment deadlines. For instance, parties wishing to appeal the judgment must file a notice of appeal within a specific time frame after the judgment date, as dictated by New Jersey court rules. Failure to adhere to these deadlines can result in the loss of the right to appeal or to pursue certain post-judgment remedies.