Court issues order on vacancy in SCJD judgeship

The Supreme Court has issued an order retaining Judgeship No. 9 in the South Central Judicial District in its present location.

Courthouses to close for Independence Day holiday

The Supreme Court and county courthouses across the state will be closed July 5 in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

Dakota Datebook: Gudmundur Grimson

Prairie Public: "North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Gudmundur Grimson was born in Iceland in 1878. When he was four, his family of 15 emigrated to Dakota Territory and settled north of Milton."

Chief Justice Jensen administers governor's oath at Boys State

Last week, Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen participated at the 78th Session of American Legion North Dakota Boys State in Wahpeton by administering the oath of office to the duly elected governor of Boys State.

Justice McEvers part of panel discussion at Girls State

Justice Lisa Fair McEvers participated in a panel discussion on civic involvement and public service at the annual Girls State event.

23 complete court manager program

Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen recognized the court system’s latest graduates of the National Center for State Court’s Institute for Court Management at a ceremony June 11 at the State Capitol in Bismarck.

Job Announcement - Supreme Court Law Clerk

A job announcement for five Law Clerk positions with the Supreme Court in Bismarck has been posted.

Law library, self-help center announce closed dates

The North Dakota Law Library and North Dakota Legal Self Help Center will be closed June 10 through June 18.

Job Announcement - Administrative Assistant

A job announcement for an Administrative Assistant with the Office of the Clerk of Supreme Court in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - Public Defender

A job announcement for an Attorney I with the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents' Williston Public Defender's Office has been posted.

Supreme Court returning to in-person oral argument

Starting in June, the Supreme Court will be returning to in-person oral arguments. The month of June will be conducted in a hybrid fashion with some arguments held in-person in the Ralph J. Erickstad Courtroom and some arguments held by Zoom.

Application deadline May 1 for 2021 Justices Teaching Institute

The deadline for secondary history, government, and social studies teachers to apply to the 2021 North Dakota Justices Teaching Institute is May 1.

July 2021 North Dakota Bar Examination

The North Dakota State Bar Examination will be administered in person on July 27-28, 2021. The exam will be given at the Bismarck Event Center, 315 S. 5th Street, Bismarck, ND.

Statement by Chief Justice Jensen on the court system’s continued response to the pandemic

The North Dakota Court System continues to closely monitor federal, state and local responses to the COVID-19 outbreak. We recognize that the pandemic continues to pose a threat to individuals and to present challenges to the administration of the justice system.

Court revises pandemic emergency orders

Because of conditions that indicate abatement of the pandemic, effective April 1 the Supreme Court has repealed or amended several orders related to the COVID-19 judicial emergency.

Court system to start conducting judge performance surveys electronically

In April, the Judicial Improvement Program will begin collecting feedback on judge performance using electronic surveys.

Procedural rule amendments effective March 1

Amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Appellate Procedure, Juvenile Procedure, Evidence, and Court as well as the Administrative Rules, took effect Monday, March 1.

February 2021 bar examination begins

The North Dakota Bar Exam began on Tuesday, Feb. 23, with 20 applicants taking the exam. Of the applicants sitting on Tuesday, 65 percent are graduates of the University of North Dakota School of Law. The exam ends Wednesday.

ND court system releases 2020 annual report

The 2020 annual report for the North Dakota court system, Voices of the Pandemic, has been posted. This year’s report chronicles the court system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Job Announcement - Deputy Supreme Court Clerk

A job announcement for a part-time Deputy Clerk with the Supreme Court in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - Technology Coordinator

A job announcement for a Technology Coordinator with the Office of the State Court Administrator in Bismarck has been posted.

Lawyer licenses expire Dec. 31

The State Board of Law Examiners reminds lawyers that 2020 licenses to practice law in North Dakota expire Dec. 31, regardless of when the 2020 license fee was paid.

Job Announcement - Deputy Supreme Court Clerk

A job announcement for one full-time and one part-time Deputy Supreme Court Clerk in Bismarck has been posted.

February 2021 bar examination to be administered remotely

The North Dakota State Board of Law Examiners has decided to administer a remote-only Uniform Bar Examination on Feb. 23-24, 2021.

Jensen re-elected as chief justice

Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen has been re-elected. His new term as chief justice will begin Jan. 1, 2021.

Interest rate on judgments for 2021

The State Court Administrator has calculated that the interest rate on judgments for 2021 will be 6.5 percent.

Law School Dean to lead municipal judge webinar

Dean Michael McGinniss of the University of North Dakota School of Law will serve as faculty for the Dec. 7 webinar for North Dakota municipal court judges. McGinniss will teach an ethics session on Canon 2 and the duty of impartiality.

Pro hac vice fee payment reminder

Attorneys who will continue to appear in 2021 in a North Dakota proceeding for which they have already filed a motion for pro hac vice admission are required to pay a fee of $380 by Jan. 1, 2021.

Courthouses to close for Thanksgiving holiday

The Supreme Court and courthouses across the state will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, for Thanksgiving. On Friday, Nov. 27, the Supreme Court and the Barnes, Burleigh, Cass and Morton County courthouses will be open. The rest of the county courthouses in the state will be closed.

Watch Burgum v. Jaeger arguments

The Supreme Court livestreamed the oral argument in the case of Burgum v. Jaeger. A recording is available on the Court's YouTube channel.

Watch Burgum v. Jaeger arguments live

The Supreme Court will livestream the oral argument in the case of Burgum vs. Jaeger on its YouTube channel. The argument is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 20.

Job Announcement - Account Technician

A job announcement for an Account Technician in the State Court Finance Department in Bismarck has been posted.

Court chooses law clerks for 2021-2022 term

The North Dakota Supreme Court is pleased to announce the following individuals who have been selected to serve a one-year clerkship with the North Dakota Supreme Court for the 2021-2022 term beginning August 1, 2021: Joseph Hackman, Tatiana Hamilton, Jordan Stroh, Ashley Vander Wal, and Katie Winbauer.

Supreme experience

For many North Dakotans, the chance to hear oral arguments being made before the North Dakota Supreme Court, then chat with the justices about their work, would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Supreme Court to virtually visit UND School of Law

The Supreme Court will virtually visit the UND School of Law on Oct. 28-29 to hear an oral argument, judge the finals of the moot court competition, and meet with classes and student organizations.

Job Announcement - Paralegal

A job announcement for a Paralegal with Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Bismarck has been posted.

Job Announcement - Network Analyst

A job announcement for a Network Analyst with the Office of the State Court Administrator in Bismarck has been posted.

Court system to offer education on mental health and the elderly

The state court system is pleased to announce three upcoming training sessions related to assisting vulnerable adults. All three sessions are via Zoom and require advance registration at no cost.

Court considering rule amendments related to unsworn declarations

The Supreme Court is seeking comment on wide-ranging amendments to the rules of procedure consistent with the Uniform Unsworn Domestic Declarations Act. Comments are due Nov. 6.

Job Announcement - Paralegal

A job announcement for a Paralegal with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Bismarck has been posted.

Dockter receives excellence award from governor

Kim Dockter, education and special projects coordinator with the Supreme Court, has been honored for her work in educating, supporting and empowering a successful transition to a remote environment for the state's courts and ensuring continuity for the state’s justice system.

Municipal court judge training moves to online format

Training for municipal court judges in North Dakota is taking a new direction this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of the Fall 6-hour training held annually in Bismarck, the judges will have the opportunity to attend a series of online events.

Attorney admission ceremony held virtually

For the first time in history, the North Dakota Supreme Court held its attorney admission ceremony virtually. The ceremony took place Sept. 18.

Online training expands judicial branch learning opportunities

When the court began transitioning judges and staff to a remote work environment in mid-March, the Education Department launched Live After Lunch, a new series of online learning for all judicial branch employees.

Former Clerk of the Supreme Court receives Gerald W. VandeWalle Medal

Penny Miller, Clerk of the North Dakota Supreme Court from 1992 to 2019, has been awarded the Gerald W. VandeWalle Medal by the North Dakota State Bar Association.

Supreme Court recognizes Reliable Electronic Means Working Group for exceptional efforts

The onset of COVID-19 related closures in March of this year led to the creation of the Reliable Electronic Means Working Group in an effort to find new and effective ways to conduct high-volume remote court proceedings.

Supreme Court postpones Justices Teaching Institute, promotes Court Connections

The Supreme Court has postponed its Justices Teaching Institute until October 2021. The North Dakota Judicial Branch offers other outreach to schools through Court Connections.

Court seeks non-attorney members for Judicial Conduct Commission

The North Dakota Supreme Court is seeking two volunteers to serve on the Judicial Conduct Commission. Both positions are for “citizen” members and cannot be filled by judges, retired judges or lawyers.

North Dakota Supreme Court justice recovering from COVID-19: 'Be careful and stay safe'

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota's longest-serving Supreme Court justice could be released this week from the hospital while still recovering from COVID-19."

Supreme Court welcomes new law clerks

The North Dakota Supreme Court is pleased to announce the following individuals who began their one-year clerkship with the North Dakota Supreme Court on Aug. 3: Logan Carpenter, Alexandra Carthew, Erica Skogen Hovey, Matthew Keller, and Katelyn Krabbenhoft.

Supreme Court to live-stream oral arguments on August 4, 2020

The North Dakota Supreme Court will live-stream video of oral arguments on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 on its YouTube channel.

July bar exam complete

The North Dakota bar examination began in Bismarck on Tuesday, July 28, with 58 applicants taking the exam. Of the applicants sitting on Tuesday, 42 were graduates from the University of North Dakota School of Law. The exam ended Wednesday.

Job Announcement - Temporary Data Analyst

A job announcement for a Temporary Data Analyst with the Office of the State Court Administrator in Bismarck has been posted.

Remote proceedings by electronic means a useful tool

Since mid-March 2020, the Supreme Court has enacted eight administrative orders aimed at providing guidelines for court operations during the coronavirus pandemic. Most of these orders have language authorizing or recommending the use of reliable electronic means for court proceedings.

Chief Justice's statement on resumption of jury trials

On July 1, 2020, jury trials resumed within the North Dakota Judicial System. Providing a forum for litigants to resolve their disputes and ensuring criminal defendants have a jury of their peers are both essential functions of our system of justice.

Job Announcement - Deputy Supreme Court Clerk

A job announcement for a Deputy Supreme Court Clerk with the Supreme Court in Bismarck has been posted.

Family law mediator applications now being accepted

Applications are now being accepted for mediators to mediate for the Family Mediation Program in the following judicial districts: East Central, Northwest, and South Central.

Court statement on proposed N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order 33 - Emergency Jury Selection Plan

On June 3, the Supreme Court issued a notice providing an opportunity for public comment on recommendations for a jury selection plan to be used upon resuming jury trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019 North Dakota court filings down

Bismarck Tribune: "District court filings in North Dakota fell more than 6% from 2018 to 2019. The judicial district encompassing Burleigh and Morton counties remained the busiest in the state."

Court to livestream Tuesday argument

The North Dakota Supreme Court announced it will live-stream the oral argument in State v. Helm on Tuesday morning, June 16 at 10:45 am. The live webcast will be conducted on a trial basis as part of the Court’s outreach programs for North Dakota schools.

Supreme Court Law Library remodeling begins after 67,000 books culled

Bismarck Tribune: "Staff of the North Dakota Supreme Court Law Library have been discarding more than 67,000 books over the span of more than a year."

Parents finding success with expedited mediation

In recognition of the concerns about parenting time arrangements during the pandemic, the North Dakota Court System launched an expedited parenting time mediation program on April 1 to assist parties in quickly resolving parenting time issues in an informal and inexpensive manner.

Supreme Court seeks law clerk applicants for 2021-2022 term

The Supreme Court is seeking applications from second year law students for five law clerk positions for the 2021-2022 term. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, July 13, 2020.

North Dakota court committee proposes pandemic jury selection plan

Bismarck Tribune: "The North Dakota Supreme Court's Jury Standards Committee has proposed several procedures for resuming jury trials amid the coronavirus pandemic."

Service Beyond Measure

UND Alumni Magazine: "Justice Gerald VandeWalle is the longest-serving Chief Justice of any state Supreme Court in the nation. Now, at age 86, he has stepped down as Chief – but continues to serve the Court."

Looking Ahead: Expanded in-person hearings and the Judicial Branch budget

Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen provides details about returning to in-person court proceedings and the budget process for the Judicial Branch.

Clerk of Court Conference cancelled

The Clerk of Court Conference, which had been scheduled for May 13-14, has been cancelled.

Shelves coming down at state law library

The end of an era came on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 when the last of the books were pulled from the North Dakota State Law Library and most of the shelving came down.

Supreme Court amends emergency order on evictions

The Supreme Court has amended Administrative Order 27 to remove the provision suspending eviction hearings except for good cause. The amendment continues the extension of the deadline to hold a hearing from 15 days to 45 days, and the authorization for the use of reliable electronic means to hold hearings and exchange evidence.

Court amends pandemic emergency orders

The Supreme Court has amended Administrative Order 25, the pandemic emergency order, and Administrative Order 26, the emergency order for bail and plea proceedings.

Court responds to concerns about parenting time arrangements

Recognizing growing concerns about parenting time arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court launched a new expedited parenting time mediation program on April 1.

Board of Law Examiners posts update on July 2020 bar examination

The State Board of Law Examiners posted new information regarding the July 2020 Bar Examination.

Job Announcement - Chief Deputy Supreme Court Clerk

A job announcement for Chief Deputy Supreme Court Clerk with the Supreme Court in Bismarck has been posted.

Court offers new guardianship course

The Supreme Court has launched an all new adult guardianship course intended for new guardians and people who are thinking about becoming guardians.

February 2020 bar exam results released

The State Board of Law Examiners met April 2 to review applications and make recommendations for the admission to practice law in North Dakota based on the results of the February 2020 state bar exam.

Justice goes digital at the North Dakota Supreme Court

KX News: "In what is likely a first, the North Dakota Supreme Court March 23 heard oral arguments over the internet, meeting together in digital space through an online meeting application."

Public access to court proceedings and court documents

The Supreme Court recognizes a continued need to allow members of the public access to court proceedings and case documents despite the current restrictions on physical access to courthouses and the method in which a court hearing is being held. Here are details about how to gain access to court proceedings and documents.

The Court was working, yet the courtroom was empty

Most of the lights were out Monday at the North Dakota Supreme Court - part of social distancing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Justices conducted business nevertheless.

North Dakota juvenile court program looks to improve

Bismarck Tribune: "One year into a new North Dakota court program, collaborators say its areas of focus have become clearer for better serving youth and families involved in both the juvenile justice and child welfare systems and for reducing referrals to juvenile court."

Update on July 2020 bar examination

The impact the ongoing COVID-19 crisis will have on the July 2020 Uniform Bar Examination in North Dakota is not certain at this time.

North Dakota court committee considers changes to race data proposal

Bismarck Tribune: "Potential tweaks are in the works for a proposed North Dakota court rule to gather race data on criminal defendants."

Law Library closed to walk-in patrons until further notice

Effective immediately, the Law Library and Legal Self Help Center are closed to all walk-in traffic until further notice. They will continue to provide services by phone and email.

Court web and network interruptions likely Thursday

The state Information Technology Department will be upgrading network software Thursday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be intermittent interruptions to court network services, including Odyssey, email, public search, and attorney access.

Amendments to procedural rules effective March 1

Effective March 1, the Supreme Court adopted amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Appellate Procedure, Evidence and Court.

Job Announcement - Supreme Court Law Clerks

A job announcement for five law clerks for the 2021-2022 Supreme Court term in Bismarck has been posted.

Proposed North Dakota court rule would gather defendant race data

Bismarck Tribune: "North Dakota's court system would collect race data on criminal defendants under a rule proposed to the state Supreme Court."

February bar exam underway

The North Dakota Bar Exam began in Bismarck on Tuesday, Feb. 25, with 16 applicants taking the exam.

Self-help forms to be out soon for requesting redactions of private info in court records

Bismarck Tribune: "Self-help forms and instructions are set to be available [this] week for people to request redactions of private information from North Dakota court records."

UND Alum and N.D. Supreme Court Justice Gerald VandeWalle receives President’s Medal, other honors

UND Today: "Things often happen in threes. For North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Jerry VandeWalle, who earned business and law degrees from UND in 1955 and 1958, the adage proved true on [Feb. 4]."

Justice Gerald VandeWalle honored by the UND Alumni Association

KFYR News: "Justice Gerald VandeWalle was the center of North Dakota law for more than 60 years. Tuesday night, he was honored by the University of North Dakota and the UND Alumni Association & Foundation."

Online access to Supreme Court documents available since before 2000

KX News: "[T]he North Dakota Supreme Court has been allowing online access to certain documents since the late 1990s. This includes opinions dated back to the 1960s, briefs from about 1998 forward and some rules dating back to the mid-90s."

Chief Justice visits Marmot School students

Chief Justice Jon J. Jensen recently made two visits with students at the Marmot School located at the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan.

Supreme Court suspends remote access to court records

Effective Jan. 8, 2020, the Supreme Court has temporarily suspended remote online access to court records by anonymous users. This includes remote access to district court documents and expanded remote access to Supreme Court documents.

Fargo Inn of Court celebrates women's right to vote

On Dec. 10, Supreme Court Justice Lisa Fair McEvers and East Central Judicial District Judge Stephannie N. Stiel participated in a program organized by the Ronald N. Davies American Inn of Court in recognition of the 100 year anniversary of women’s right to vote.

Job Announcement - Director of Technology

A job announcement for Director of Technology with the Office of State Court Administrator in Bismarck has been posted.

Jensen ready to get to work as new North Dakota Supreme Court chief justice

Bismarck Tribune: "Jon Jensen likes the courtroom. That's a good trait for the new chief justice of North Dakota's Supreme Court."

State Supreme Court clerk retiring after 31 years

Bismarck Tribune: "The woman who is just the fourth clerk of the North Dakota Supreme Court is retiring at the end of the year. Penny Miller took the position July 1, 1992, and has seen the office and the state's court system through many changes."

Justice Jensen elected Chief

Ballots were counted Dec. 12 in the election for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Justice Jon J. Jensen was chosen to replace Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle commencing Jan. 1, 2020.