N.D.R.Civ.P.
RULE 6. TIME
(a) Computation. In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules, by the local rules of any district court, by order of court, or by any applicable statute, the day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of time begins to run may not be included. The last day of the period so computed must be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than 11 days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays must be excluded in the computation. Service by facsimile transmission must be completed by 5:00 p.m., receiver's time, on a weekday, which is not a legal holiday, or service is considered made on the following weekday which is not a legal holiday.
(b) Enlargement. When an act is required or allowed to be done at or within a specified time, the court for cause shown may at any time in its discretion (1) with or without motion or notice order the period enlarged if a request for enlargement is made before expiration of the period originally prescribed or as extended by a previous order, or (2) upon motion made after expiration of the specified period permit the act to be done if the failure to act was the result of excusable neglect; but it may not extend the time for taking any action under Rules 4(e)(7), 52(b), 59(c), (i) and (j), and 60(b), except to the extent and under the conditions stated in them.
(c) Unaffected by Expiration of Term. The period of time provided for the doing of any act or the taking of any proceeding is not affected or limited by the continued existence or expiration of a term of court. The continued existence or expiration of a term of court in no way affects the power of a court to do any act or take any proceeding in any civil action which is pending.
(d) For Motions--Affidavits. A written motion, other than one which may be heard ex parte, and notice of the motion must be served at least 18 days before the motion may be heard, unless a different period is fixed by rule or court order. A party may apply ex parte for the court to hear a motion sooner than 18 days after service of the motion.
(e) Additional Time After Service Service by Mail or
Commercial Carrier.
(1) Whenever a party has the right or is required to do an act within a prescribed period after service of a notice or other paper and the notice or paper is served by mail or third-party commercial carrier under Rule 5, 3 days must be added to the prescribed period.
(2) If service is made by mail or third-party commercial carrier under Rule 4, the prescribed period begins running upon delivery.
(3) Service by facsimile transmission is not service by mail or third-party commercial carrier for purposes of this rule.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Rule 6 was amended, effective 1971; March 1, 1990; on an emergency basis, March 1, 1992; January 1, 1995; March 1, 1997; March 1, 1999; March 1, 2001; March 1, 2004.
This rule omits the listing of "legal holidays" found in subdivision (a) of the federal rule. See N.D.C.C. ch. 1-03, concerning holidays in North Dakota.
Subdivision (a) was amended, effective March 1, 2001, to extend the period from 7 days to 11 days when intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are excluded from time computations.
Subdivision (d) was amended, effective March 1, 1997, because N.D.R.Ct. 3.2, governs when papers supporting or opposing a motion must be served. The March 1, 2001 amendment changes from 14 to 18 days when a motion must be served before it may be heard.
Subdivision (e) was amended, effective March 1, 1999, to make the three-day extension for
service by mail applicable when service is via commercial carrier. The proof of service must
contain the date of mailing or deposit with the commercial carrier. See N.D.R.Civ.P.
4(k)
and 5(f).
Subdivision (e) was amended, effective March 1, 2004, to restrict applicability of the three-day extension for service by mail or commercial carrier to items served under Rule 5. The time of service for an item served by mail or commercial carrier under Rule 4 is the time the item is delivered to the recipient.
SOURCES: Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of January 30-31, 2003, pages 4-6; September 26-27, 2002, pages 15-18; January 27-28, 2000, pages 16-17; September 23-24, 1999, pages 20-21; January 29-30, 1998, page 18; April 25, 1996, pages 8-11; April 28-29, 1994, pages 15-17; January 27-28, 1994, pages 24-25; September 23-24, 1993, pages 14-16 and 20; April 29-30, 1993, page 20; November 7-8, 1991, page 3; October 25-26, 1990, page 12; April 20, 1989, page 2; December 3, 1987, page 11; June 22, 1984, pages 30-31; September 20-21, 1979, pages 5-6; Fed.R.Civ.P. 6.
STATUTES AFFECTED:
SUPERSEDED: N.D.R.C. §§ 28-0739, 28-2803, 28-2815, 28-2816, 28-2817, 28-2818, 28-2902, 28-2903, 28-3006 (1943).
CROSS REFERENCE: N.D.R.Civ.P. 4 (Persons Subject to Jurisdiction--Process -- Service), N.D.R.Civ.P. 5 (Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers), N.D.R.Civ.P. 52 (Findings by the Court), N.D.R.Civ.P. 59 (New Trials Amendment of Judgments), and N.D.R.Civ.P. 60 (Relief From Judgment or Order); N.D.R.Crim.P. 45 (Time); N.D.R.Ct. 3.2 (Motions).