Subject to the provisions of R. 4:42-2 (judgment on multiple claims) judgment shall be entered as follows:
(a) Unless the court otherwise orders, the clerk shall forthwith prepare, sign and enter the judgment in the Civil Docket without awaiting further direction by the court: (1) upon a general verdict of a jury; (2) upon a decision by the court that a party shall recover only a sum certain or costs or that all relief shall be denied, and (3) upon a special verdict or general verdict accompanied by answers to interrogatories which is forthwith convertible by the court into a money judgment or a judgment that relief shall be denied. Upon payment by the proponent of the judgment of the fee prescribed by N.J.S.A. 22A:2-7, the judgment shall be entered in the Civil Judgment and Order Docket in accordance with R. 4:101-2.
(b) Where the decision of the court grants other than monetary relief, or is reserved or where a special verdict or a general verdict accompanied by answers to interrogatories is not convertible pursuant to paragraph (a), the court shall promptly approve the form of judgment and the clerk of the court shall enter it.
The notation of a judgment in the Civil Docket constitutes the entry of the judgment, and the judgment shall not take effect before such entry unless the court in the judgment shall, for reasons specified therein, direct that it take effect from the time it is signed, but no such direction shall affect the lien or priority of the judgment. The entry of the judgment shall not be delayed for the taxing of costs.