Notice of Consultation Wednesday, May 25, 2016

IN THE SUPREME COURT 
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

NOTICE OF CONSULTATION

Supreme Court No. 20160193 

In the Matter of the Vacancy in Judgeship No. 5, with Chambers in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Northeast Central Judicial District

[1] On May 23, 2016, Governor Jack Dalrymple notified this Court of the resignation of the Honorable Debbie Kleven, Judge of the District Court, Northeast Central Judicial District, effective August 8, 2016. Under N.D.C.C. § 27-05-02.1 a vacancy in the office of district judge will be created upon Judge Kleven�s retirement.

[2] Within 90 days after the notification of the vacancy, N.D.C.C. § 27-05-02.1 requires the Supreme Court to determine whether the office is necessary for effective judicial administration. The Supreme Court may order that: (1) the vacancy be filled; (2) the vacant office be transferred to a judicial district in which an additional judge is necessary for effective judicial administration; or (3) the vacant office be abolished with or without transfer of a district judgeship to any location in which a judge is necessary for effective judicial administration. The Supreme Court considered the matter, and

[3] ORDERED, the Supreme Court undertake a written consultation with the attorneys and judges of the Northeast Central Judicial District on this matter under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 7.2. Any person wishing to comment on the vacancy may do so in writing no later than June 27, 2016. It is expected the Supreme Court will receive a report discussing the factors under N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 7.2, Section 4, for each of the counties in the Northeast Central Judicial District from the Court Administrator for Unit 1. Written comments may be e-mailed to Penny Miller, Clerk of the Supreme Court, at supclerkofcourt@ndcourts.gov, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505-0530.

[4] Entered the 25th day of May, 2016, at the direction of the Honorable Gerald W. VandeWalle, Chief Justice; and the Honorable Dale V. Sandstrom, the Honorable Carol Ronning Kapsner, the Honorable Daniel J. Crothers and the Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers, Justices.

Penny Miller 
Clerk 
North Dakota Supreme Court