A person who is denied access to a government record under Public Access to Government Records statute, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., may appeal the decision of the Custodian in two ways. You may choose between the following to file a complaint:
file a complaint with the Government Records Council, which may be contacted at:
file an action in Superior Court, which shall be heard in the vicinage where it is filed by a Superior Court Judge who has been designated to hear such cases.
To file a complaint with the Government Records Council, the individual must write and sign a complaint. Upon receipt of such complaint, the Government Records Council will offer the parties an opportunity to resolve the dispute through mediation. Mediation shall be an informal, nonadversarial process having the objective of helping parties reach a mutually acceptable, voluntary agreement. If any party declines mediation or if mediation fails to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of all parties, the Government Records Council can initiate an investigation concerning the facts and circumstances of the complaint.
The right to make a complaint against a Custodian of Public Records belongs solely to the requesting individual.
