Saipan, CNMI – The CNMI Superior Court is pleased to announce the swearing-in of four new judicial staff members: Sage Wagner, Alexandria Vazquez, Kate Rues, and Marlisa Marquez. The ceremony took place on November 19, 2025, in Superior Court Courtroom 205A, where each staff member took an oath of office.    (From left) Law Clerk Alexandria Vazquez, Law Clerk Kate Rues, Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, Law Clerk Sage Wagner, Special Assistant to the Presiding Judge Marlisa

Saipan, CNMI – On November 20, 2025, the Supreme Court issued an opinion in Tang v. Guo  affirming the Superior Court’s findings of parol evidence regarding fraud, calculation of post-judgment interest and conditioning the return of certain leasehold properties on satisfaction of the judgment. The Court, however, reversed the Superior Court’s calculation of unjust enrichment damages and remanded for further proceedings. The dispute arose from a purported assignment of two lea

On November 14, 2025, the Supreme Court issued Administrative Order No. 2025-ADM0012-MSC, outlining the Judiciary's closure on the following days in November 2025: November 24, 2025 (Monday) Annual Judiciary Professional Development Conference November 25, 2025 (Tuesday) Annual Judiciary Professional Development Conference November 27, 2025 (Thursday) Thanksgiving Day E-filing portals (File and ServeXpress and eRecording) will remain open during the holidays. Bail, family pr

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands today issued its opinion in Camacho v. Northern Mariana Islands Settlement Fund, Supreme Court No. 2024-SCC-0024-CQU, answering a certified question from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The Court held that section 8334(e) of the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund Act of 1988 did not grant Class II members of the Retirement Fund a constitutionally protected accr

Håfa Adai and Tirow, The Commonwealth Recorder’s Office is experiencing technical difficulties with the e-recording system. We are actively working to resolve the issue and look to provide a resolution within the next 48 hours or sooner. We understand the importance of this service to you and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We are committed to restoring full functionality as quickly as possible and we will update you with the latest information as we receive i

Students attending the Brief Writing Workshop given by Law Clerk Katherine Eckrote at the SSZ Conference Room, Guma’ Hustisia. (October 20, 2025) Saipan, CNMI – On October 21st, the Supreme Court held the second session in its three-part Moot Court workshop series, focusing on appellate brief writing. Now in its third year, the High School Moot Court program offers students a chance to role-play as appellate attorneys in a mock appeal of a fictional case, fostering a deeper u