2A:14-22. Tolling of statute of limitations

2A:14-22. a. If (1) any person against whom there is any of the causes of action specified in sections 2A:14-1 to 2A:14-5 and 2A:14-8, or if any surety against whom there is a cause of action specified in any of the sections of article 2 of this chapter, is not a resident of this State when such cause of action accrues, or removes from this State after the accrual thereof and before the expiration of the times limited in said sections, or if any corporation or corporate surety not organized under the laws of this State, against whom there is such a cause of action, is not represented in this State by any person or officer upon whom summons or other original process may be served, when such cause of action accrues or at any time before the expiration of the times so limited, and (2) it appears by affidavit of plaintiff's attorney or of any person having knowledge of the facts that, after diligent inquiry and effort, long-arm service cannot be effectuated, the time or times during which such person or surety is not residing within this State or such corporation or corporate surety is not so represented within this State shall not be computed as part of the periods of time within which such an action is required to be commenced by the section. The person entitled to any such action may commence the same after the accrual of the cause therefor, within the period of time limited therefor by said section, exclusive of such time or times of nonresidence or nonrepresentation.

b. A corporation shall be deemed represented for purposes of this section if the corporation has filed with the Secretary of State a notice designating a representative to accept service of process.

c. A person shall be deemed a resident for purposes of this section if such person has filed with the Secretary of State a notice designating a representative to accept service of process.

d. A designation by a corporation pursuant to subsection b. of this section or by a person pursuant to subsection c. of this section shall expose such corporation or person to suit only as to those causes of action as to which such corporation or person has sufficient contacts with this State to satisfy the requirements of due process of law.

L.1951 (1st SS), c.344; amended 1984,c.131; 1991,c.387,s.1.