New opinion: Oct. 26

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

New opinions: Oct. 21

The Supreme Court has issued 23 new opinions.

Job Announcement - Paralegal

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

Order of Adoption

Amend. to N.D.R.Ct. 8.1

Order of Adoption

Amend. to N.D.R.App.P. 4, 21, 27, 30, 31

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.

Notice of Consultation (comments due October 28, 2020)

Vacancy in Judgeship No. 5, Northeast Judicial District

Notice of Comment (comments due November 6, 2020)

Amend.to N.D.R.Civ.P., Crim.P., Ev., App.P, Ct., Admin.R., Juv.P.

Job Announcement - Paralegal

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

New opinions: Sep. 25

The Supreme Court has issued 2 new opinions.

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.

New opinion: Sept. 16

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

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.

New opinions: Sept. 15

The Supreme Court has issued 10 new opinions.

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.

New opinion: Sept. 4

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

New opinion: Aug. 31

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

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.

New opinions: Aug. 27

The Supreme Court has issued 10 new opinions.

Order of Adoption

Amendments to N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 11

Order of Adoption

Amend. to N.D.R.Ct. 8.1

New opinion: Aug. 26

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

New opinion: Aug. 25

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

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.

New opinions: July 30

The Supreme Court has issued three new opinions.

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.

New opinion: July 27

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

New opinions: July 22-23

The Supreme Court has issued 21 new opinions.

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.

New opinions: June 29

The Supreme Court has issued 21 new opinions.

Order of Adoption

Petition Regarding Richland County Treatment Court

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."

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 25

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.

New opinions: June 8

The Supreme Court has issued two new opinions.

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."

Notice of Comment/Hearing

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 33

New opinions: June 2

The Supreme Court has issued 20 new opinions.

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."

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 25

New opinion: May 14

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

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.

New opinions: May 7

The Supreme Court has issued 27 new opinions.

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.

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 32

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.

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 27

N.D. court system releases 2019 annual reports

The 2019 annual reports for the North Dakota Court System have been posted. The reports provide statistics and information on all court system activity.

Application deadline extended to August for 2020 Justices Teaching Institute

The deadline for secondary history, government and social studies teachers to apply to the 2020 North Dakota Justices Institute is extended until Aug. 15.

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.

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 26

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 25

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.

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 31

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 26

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.

New opinions: April 6

The Supreme Court has issued seven new opinions.

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."

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 30

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.

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 27

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 28

Order of Adoption

Adoption of N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. O. 29

New opinion: March 25

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

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."

New opinions: March 19

The Supreme Court has issued 18 new opinions.

Order of Adoption

Administrative Order 26 - Emergency Bail and Plea Procedure

Order of Adoption

Amend. to N.D.R. Lawyer Discipl. 6.1

Spring bar admission ceremony cancelled

With the concerns related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the Supreme Court has cancelled the bar admission ceremony previously set for Friday, April 17.

Order of Adoption

Administrative Order 25 – Coronavirus Pandemic

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.

Order of Adoption

Administrative Order 25 – Coronavirus Pandemic

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.

New opinion: March 4

The Supreme Court has issued a new opinion.

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.