NJ high court says six-year statute of limitations does not apply to remediating party's contribution claims under Spill Act

摘要

Reversing the Appellate Division, the New Jersey Supreme Court held on Jan. 26 that based on the plain language of the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act, reinforced by its legislative history, the general six-year statute of limitations is not applicable to Spill Act contribution claims. The court declared unanimously, "(W)e see no reason to interpose in these factually complex cases a new requirement to determine when one knew of a discharge in order to afford the remediating party the contribution right that the Spill Act confers as against all other responsible parties."