John C. Crispin and Michelle Crispin, His Wife, Plaintiffs-Respondents v. Volkswagenwerk, A.G., a West German…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed the lower courts, holding that the entire controversy doctrine should not be extended to compel joinder of parties retroactively and that the Bergen County dismissal without prejudice was proper. The Court also noted the plaintiff's counsel's questionable tactics and referred the matter to the Office of Attorney Ethics. Justice Clifford dissented in part, arguing that the dismissal should have been with prejudice because the statute of limitations had run.