Administrative Order 35 – STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees. The following committees are established to assist the supreme court in conducting its business:

(a) Caseflow Management Committee;
(b) Interdisciplinary Committee on Specialized Dockets;
(c) Joint Committee on Attorney Standards;
(d) Joint Procedure Committee;
(e) Judicial Ethics Advisory Commission;
(f) Juvenile Policy Board;
(g) North Dakota Administrative Council;
(h) North Dakota Judicial Branch Education Commission;
(i) North Dakota Pattern Jury Instruction Commission;
(j) Operations Committee of the Disciplinary Board; and
(k) Personnel Policy Board.

The supreme court may establish additional committees as circumstances warrant.

Section 2. Workgroups.

The supreme court may establish workgroups to address narrowly-defined issues requiring discussion and resolution within a short period of time.

Section 3. Committee Membership.

(a) Unless otherwise specified, each member of a committee will serve for a three-year term and is eligible for reappointment. A member of a committee is not eligible for reappointment if the person is no longer practicing law full time, teaching law full time, or serving as a judge full time.
(b) No member may serve more than three consecutive three-year terms. A former member who served three consecutive terms is eligible for reappointment after a six-year break in service.
(c) A member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed.
(d) Each member is entitled to reimbursement at state rates for expenses incurred in attending committee meetings.
(e) If a member recuses herself or himself from participation in a particular matter, the chief justice may appoint a substitute member if necessary for a committee to act on the matter.

Section 4. Staffing.

Unless otherwise specified, each committee or workgroup will be assigned appropriate staff assistance by the state court administrator’s office.

Section 5. Committee Charters.

Each committee will have a charter explaining its purpose, membership, and duties. Each committee’s charter can be found here:

Committee Charters

Section 6. Reports.

Each committee or workgroup must submit reports as requested by the chief justice.

Section 7. Effective Date; Expiration

This Order takes effect on July 1, 2026, and will expire after three years, unless extended by the supreme court or otherwise provided for in a committee charter.