North Dakota Rules for Lawyer Discipline

Part I - Scope

• Rule 1.0: Terminology
• Rule 1.1: Authority
  • A. Jurisdiction
  • B. Policy
  • C. Lawyers
  • D. Former Judges
  • E. Incumbent Judges
• Rule 1.2: Grounds for Discipline
  • A. Grounds for Discipline
  • B. Exception
• Rule 1.3: Forms of Discipline
  • A. Forms
  • B. Conditions
  • C. Mitigation or Aggravation
  • D. Costs

Part II - Organization

• Rule 2.1: the Disciplinary Board
  • A. Appointment
  • B. Nominations
  • C. Election of Officers
  • D. Secretary
  • E. Quorum
  • F. Compensation
  • G. Abstention
  • H. Powers and Duties
• Rule 2.2: Operations Committee
  • A. Appointment
  • B. Election of Chair
  • C. Secretary
  • D. Compensation
  • E. Powers and Duties
• Rule 2.3: Hearing Bodies
  • A. Appointment
  • B. Powers and Duties
  • C. Abstention
• Rule 2.4: Inquiry Committees
  • A. Disciplinary Districts
  • B. Appointment
  • C. Terms of Office
  • D. Chair
  • E. Powers and Duties
  • F. Failure to Complete Reports or Investigation
  • G. Compensation
• Rule 2.5: Disciplinary Counsel
  • A. Qualifications of Counsel
  • B. Powers and Duties

Part III - General Procedure

• Rule 3.1: Generally
  • A. Initiation of Disciplinary Process
  • B. Initial Consideration
  • C. Summary Dismissal
  • D. Investigation and District Inquiry Committee Procedures
  • E. Formal Proceedings
  • F. Review by the Court
  • G. Reserved Authority
• Rule 3.2: Service
  • A. Petition
  • B. Other Papers
• Rule 3.3: Discovery and Subpoenas
  • A. Oaths
  • B. Subpoenas
  • C. Discovery Limited
  • D. Witness Fees
  • E. Reciprocal Enforcement
• Rule 3.4: Threat of Public Harm
  • A. Transmittal of Evidence
  • B. Immediate Interim Suspension
• Rule 3.5: Additional Procedure
  • A. Nature of Proceedings
  • B. Other Rules Apply
  • C. Standard of Proof
  • D. Burden of Proof
  • E. Prehearing Conference
  • F. Related Litigation
  • G. No Abatement
  • H. Time Limitations
  • I. Organizational Members

Part IV - Disciplinary Procedures

• Rule 4.1: Criminal Conduct
  • A. Certificate of Conviction
  • B. Determination of "Serious Crime"
  • C. Definition of "Serious Crime"
  • D. Immediate Suspension
  • E. Formal Procedure
  • F. Certificate Conclusive
  • G. Automatic Reinstatement
• Rule 4.2: Discipline by Consent
  • A. Board Approval
  • B. Stipulation of Consent
  • C. Order of Discipline
• Rule 4.3: Probation
  • A. Imposition
  • B. Conditions
• Rule 4.4: Reciprocal Discipline
  • A. Discipline Elsewhere
  • B. Notice to the Lawyer
  • C. Stay
  • D. Discipline
• Rule 4.5: Reinstatement
  • A. Proof of Rehabilitation
  • B. Short Suspension
  • C. Long Suspension
  • D. Following Disbarment
  • E. Successive Petitions
  • F. Hearing on Application
  • G. Deposit for Costs
  • H. Conditions of Reinstatement
  • I. Reciprocal Reinstatement or Readmission

Part V - Disability Procedure

• Rule 5.1: Disability Proceedings
  • A. Incapacity
  • B. Inability to Defend
  • C. Incapacity to Practice Law
  • D. Compliance with Applicable Law
• Rule 5.2: Return to Active Status
  • A. Reinstatement
  • B. Hearing
  • C. Re-examination
  • D. Pending Matters
  • E. Restoration
  • F. Waiver of Privilege

Part VI - Miscellaneous

• Rule 6.1: Records
  • A. Confidentiality
  • B. Public Proceedings
  • C. Expunction of Records
• Rule 6.2: Information Distribution
  • A. Notice to Other Agencies
  • B. Notice of Discipline
  • C. Notice to the Courts
• Rule 6.3: Notice of Status
  • A. Notice Required
  • B. Special Notice
  • C. Client Property
  • D. Effective Date
  • E. Winding up
  • F. Proof of Compliance
• Rule 6.4: Professional Trusteeships
  • A. Inventory of Attorney Files
  • B. Protection for Records
  • C. Instructions
  • D. Immunity
  • E. Acceptance of Clients
  • F. Legal Fees and Costs
• Rule 6.5: Immunity
• Rule 6.6: Diversion from Discipline
• Rule 6.7: [deleted effective March 1, 2017]
• Rule 6.8: Title and Citation