Notice of Consultation Wednesday, February 8, 2012

IN THE SUPREME COURT

STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

NOTICE OF CONSULTATION 
Supreme Court No. 20120089

In the Matter of the Judicial Vacancy in District 
Judgeship No. 3, with Chambers in Dickinson, 
North Dakota, Southwest Judicial District

On February 7, 2012 , this Court received notice from the Honorable H. Patrick Weir, District Judge for the Southwest Judicial District, that he does not intend to be a candidate for his position when his term expires December 31, 2012. Under Section 27-05-02.1(2), N.D.C.C., a vacancy is, therefore, created. Section 27-05-02.1, N.D.C.C., requires the Supreme Court to determine whether the judgeship is necessary for effective judicial administration in the Southwest Judicial District or whether the judgeship may be transferred. The Court considered the matter, and

ORDERED, the Supreme Court will undertake a written consultation with the attorneys and judges of the Southwest Judicial District under Administrative Rule 7.2. Any person wishing to comment on the matter may do so in writing no later than Thursday, March 15, 2012. It is expected the Supreme Court will receive a report from the Trial Court Administrator for Unit 3, regarding the Southwest Judicial District and discussing the criteria under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 7.2, and statewide weighted caseload data from the State Court Administrator's Office. Written comments may be e-mailed to Penny Miller, Clerk of the Supreme Court, at supclerkofcourt@ndcourts.gov, or addressed to 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 180, Bismarck, ND 58505-0530.

The Supreme Court of the State of North Dakota convened February 8, 2012, with the Honorable Gerald W. VandeWalle, Chief Justice, the Honorable Dale V. Sandstrom, the Honorable Carol Ronning Kapsner, and the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers, Justices, directing the Clerk of the Supreme Court to enter the above order. The Honorable Mary Muehlen Maring was unavoidably absent.

Penny Miller 
Clerk 
North Dakota Supreme Court