N.J. Stat. » Title 56 — TRADE NAMES, TRADE-MARKS AND UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES
New Jersey Statutes

N.J. Stat. § 56:12-1 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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1. As used in this act:

"Consumer contract" means a written agreement in which an individual:

a. Leases or licenses real or personal property;

b. Obtains credit;

c. Obtains insurance coverage, except insurance coverage contained in policies subject to the "Life and Health Insurance Policy Language Simplification Act," P.L.1979, c.167 (C.17B:17-17 et seq.);

d. Borrows money;

e. Purchases real or personal property;

f. Contracts for services including professional services;

g. Enters into a service contract, as defined in section 1 of P.L.2013, c.197 (C.56:12-87),

for cash or on credit and the money, property or services are obtained for personal, family or household purposes. "Consumer contract" includes writings required to complete the consumer transaction. "Consumer contract" does not include a written agreement involving a transaction in securities with a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or a transaction in commodities with a futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 28 cases (12 in the last 5 years), 2009–2025 · leading case: Kernahan v. Home Warranty Adm'r of Fla., Inc., 199 A.3d 766 (N.J. 2019).
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Kernahan v. Home Warranty Adm'r of Fla., Inc., 199 A.3d 766 (N.J. 2019). “The NJAJ points out that the "MEDIATION" provision fails to comply with New Jersey's Plain Language Act, N.J.S.A. 56:12-1 to -13 (PLA), applicable to all consumer contracts in this state as noted in Atalese , because "it is not written in a simple, clear, understandable, and…”
Dehart v. US Bank, N.A. ND, 811 F. Supp. 2d 1038 (D.N.J. 2011). · cites it 4× “Bank) violation of the New Jersey Truthin-Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act of N.J. Stat. Ann. § 56:12-1 ; (8) (against U.”
Janell Goffe v. Foulke Mgmt. Corp Sasha Robinson & Tijuana Johnson v. Mall Chevrolet (081258) (Camden Cnty. & Statewide), 208 A.3d 859 (N.J. 2019). “56:12-14 to -18; the Plain Language Act, N.J.S.A. 56:12-1 to -13; the Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.”
Pisack v. B & C Towing, Inc., 188 A.3d 1088 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). · cites it 3× “" Our Supreme Court, however, has looked to the Plain Language Act, N.J.S.A. 56:12-1 to -13, for an applicable definition.”
Arcand v. Brother Int'l Corp., 673 F. Supp. 2d 282 (D.N.J. 2009). “56:8-1 to -20, the Truth-In-Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act, N.J.S.A. 56:12-1 to -18 and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.”
Alexander Menkes v. Prudential Ins. Co of Ame, 762 F.3d 285 (3d Cir. 2014). “; (2) violation of the Truth in Consumer Contract, Warranty, and Notice Act (“TCCWNA”), N.J. Stat. Ann. § 56:12-1 , et seq.; (3) breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (4) intentional or negligent misrepresentation and/or omission;…”
Goffe v. Foulke Mgmt. Corp., 185 A.3d 248 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). “56:12-14 to -18, the New Jersey Plain Language Act, N.J.S.A. 56:12-1 to -13, and the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, 15 U.”
The Est. of Robert E. Noyes Vs. Richard M. Morano (l-0179-15, Bergen Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019). · cites it 4× “The Consumer Contracts Act (the Act), otherwise commonly referred to as the "Plain Language Act," N.J.S.A. 56:12-1 to -13, defines a consumer contract as one that is "obtained for personal, family or household purposes," N.”
Bernice Pisack, Etc. Vs. B&c Towing, Inc. Vs. the City of Newark Eptisam Pellegrino, Etc. Vs. Nick's Towing Serv., Inc., A-5668-16t3 Christopher Walker, Etc. Vs. All Points Auto. & Towing, Inc. (l-6501-13, L-1606-17 & L-7929-13, Middlesex & Bergen Counties & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2018). · cites it 3× “" Our Supreme Court, however, has looked to the Plain Language Act, N.J.S.A. 56:12-1 to -13, for an applicable definition.”
Jia Wang v. Coa 99 Hudson, LLC (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025). · cites it 2× “We determine the SPA relates to a residential condominium unit and is a "consumer contract" as defined under the New Jersey "Plain Language Law", N.J.S.A. 56:12-1 to -13. As such, the SPA must meet the requirements A-3594-23 14 of that statute.”
State of New Jersey Vs. Keshaun D. Earley (11-04-0827, 11-09-2163 & 13-03-0858, Atl. Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2017). “56:8-2 to -106, (2) unjust enrichment, (3) theft by deception, (4) civil conspiracy, (5) common law fraud, (6) violation of the Plain Language Act, N.J.S.A. 56:12-1 to -13, and (7) violation of the Truth in Lending Act.”
Drew Wares Vs. Guaranteed Motor Towing Serv., Inc. (l-0288-16, Middlesex Cnty. & Statewide) (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2019). “(quoting N.J.S.A. 56:12-1). Any "inclusion of prohibited charges in the bill 'deceives a consumer into thinking they are enforceable.”
Show all 28 citing cases →
N.J. Stat. § 56:12-1(e): 1 case
Jia Wang v. Coa 99 Hudson, LLC (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2025). “We determine the SPA relates to a residential condominium unit and is a "consumer contract" as defined under the New Jersey "Plain Language Law", N.J.S.A. 56:12-1 to -13. As such, the SPA must meet the requirements A-3594-23 14 of that statute.”
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