N.D.R.Civ.P.
RULE 54. JUDGMENT; - COSTS
(a) Definition; -- Form. "Judgment" as used in these rules includes a decree and any order
from which an appeal lies. A judgment may should not contain include a recitals of
pleadings, the report of a master's report, or the a record of prior proceedings.
(b) Judgment Upon on Multiple Claims or Involving Multiple Parties.
If more than one claim for relief is presented in an action, whether as a claim, counterclaim,
cross-claim, or third-party claim, or if multiple parties are involved, the court may direct the
entry of a final judgment as to one or more but fewer than all of the claims or parties only
upon the express determination that there is no just reason for delay and upon an express
direction for the entry of judgment. In the absence of that determination and direction, any
order or other form of decision, however designated, which adjudicates fewer than all of the
claims or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties does not terminate the action
as to any of the claims or parties, and the order or other form of decision is subject to
revision at any time before the entry of judgment adjudicating all the claims and the rights
and liabilities of all the parties.
If an action presents more than one claim for relief, whether as a claim, counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party claim, or if multiple parties are involved, the court may direct entry of a final judgment as to one or more, but fewer than all, claims or parties only if the court expressly determines that there is no just reason for delay. Otherwise, any order or other decision, however designated, that adjudicates fewer than all the claims or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties does not end the action as to any of the claims or parties and may be revised at any time before the entry of a judgment adjudicating all the claims and all the parties' rights and liabilities.
(c) Demand for Judgment; Relief to be Granted. A judgment by default may not be different
in kind from or exceed the amount prayed for in the demand for judgment. Except as to a
party against whom a judgment is entered by default, every final judgment must grant the
relief to which the party in whose favor it is rendered is entitled, even if the party has not
demanded that relief in the pleadings.
A default judgment must not differ in kind from, or exceed in amount, what is demanded in the pleadings. Every other final judgment should grant the relief to which each party is entitled, even if the party has not demanded that relief in its pleadings.
(d) Death Before Judgment. If a party dies after a verdict or decision upon on any issue of
fact and before judgment, the court nevertheless may still render judgment thereon. That
judgment is not a lien on the real property of the deceased party, but is payable as provided
in N.D.C.C. ch. 30.1-19.
(e) Costs; Objections; Attorneys' Fees.
(1) Costs Other Than Attorneys' Fees. Costs and disbursements must be allowed as
provided by statute. A party awarded costs and disbursements shall must submit to the clerk
a detailed, verified statement thereof to the clerk. Upon receipt of the statement, the clerk
shall must allow those costs and disbursements and insert them in the judgment. A copy of
the statement must accompany the notice of entry of judgment.
(2) Objections to Costs. Objections must be served and filed with the clerk, either within
seven 14 days after notice of entry of judgment or within such a longer time the court may
fix by order made fixed by court order within the seven 14 days. Objections must specify the
ground thereof The grounds for objections must be specified. If objections are filed, the clerk
shall must promptly submit them to the judge who ordered the judgment. The court by ex
parte order shall must fix a time for hearing the objections. Unless otherwise directed by the
court, the parties may waive the right to a hearing and submit written argument in lieu
thereof instead within a time specified by the court.
(2) (3) Attorneys' Fees. A claim for attorneys' fees and related nontaxable expenses not
determined by the judgment must be made by motion. The motion must be served and filed
not later than within 15 21 days after notice of entry of judgment. The trial court may decide
the motion even after an appeal is filed.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Rule 54 was amended, effective January 1, 1980; September 1, 1983; March 1, 1990; March 1, 1997; March 1, 1998; ________________.
Subdivision (b) requires the trial court to exercise its discretion in directing the entry of final judgment as to one or more but fewer than all of the claims or parties. The party requesting certification carries the burden of establishing that prejudice or hardship will result if certification is denied, and the trial court, in exercising its discretion, must weigh the overall policy prohibiting piecemeal appeals against the exigencies of the case. See criteria in Union State Bank v. Woell, 357 N.W.2d 234 (N.D. 1984).
Paragraph (e)(2) was amended, effective _____________, to increase the time to object to costs from 7 to 14 days after notice of entry of judgment.
Paragraph (e)(3) was amended, effective _____________, to increase the time to make a claim for attorneys' fees from 15 to 21 days after notice of entry of judgment.
Rule 54 was amended, effective _______________, in response to the December 1, 2007, revision of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The language and organization of the rule were changed to make the rule more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules.
Sources: Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of April 29-30, 2010, page 14; September
24-25, 2009, page 23; January 30, 1997, page 8; January 25-26, 1996, pages 7-10;
September 28-29, 1995, page 18; April 20, 1989, page 2; December 3, 1987, page 11;
November 29, 1984, page 18; September 30-October 1, 1982, pages 1-3; November 29-30,
1979, page 14; April 26-27, 1979, pages 19-20; Rule Fed.R.Civ.P. 54, FRCivP.
Statutes Affected:
Superseded: N.D.R.C. 1943 &S&&S& 28-0901, 28-2003(2), 28-2003(3), 28-2004, 28-2005, 28-2614, 28-2615.
Cross Reference: N.D.R.Civ.P. 8 (General Rules of Pleading), N.D.R.Civ.P. 52 (Findings by the Court), N.D.R.Civ.P. 58 (Entry of Judgment), N.D.R.Civ.P. 59 (New Trials -- Amendment of Judgments) and N.D.R.Civ.P. 77 (District Courts and Clerks); N.D.R.App.P. 3 (Appeal as of Right -- How Taken). See also, N.D.R.Civ.P. 20 (Permissive Joinder of Parties) and N.D.R.Civ.P. 21 (Misjoinder and Non-Joinder of Parties).