Saipan, CNMI – On June 30th, the Supreme Court upheld a Superior Court determination that an inverse condemnation claim against the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation was timely under the statute of limitations. In Sablan v. Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Conrad M. Sablan alleged that CUC built a water tank and pump station in 1991 on family land in the Sadog Tasi area of Saipan, without paying compensation. The Court held a claim does not accrue until the landowner reas

Saipan, CNMI and Guam, USA – Yesterday, June 24, 2026, the Supreme Court of Guam and the Supreme Court of the Northern Mariana Islands signed reciprocity agreements, allowing lawyers licensed to practice law in Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to practice in either jurisdiction without having to sit for an additional bar exam. PJC President and Guam Justice Robert J. Torres, Jr., signing the reciprocity agreement. Each high court has adopted its own ve

Saipan, CNMI – The NMI Judiciary is saddened by the passing of a valued employee, Special Projects and Infrastructure Coordinator Bryan Sablan Bocago, on June 6, 2026. Florence C. Sablan, mother of Bryan S. Bocago, shares reflections and expresses her gratitude to Judiciary staff. Also shown, from left, are Judge Joey P. San Nicolas, Judge Lillian A. Tenorio, Justice John A. Manglona, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Justice Roberto C. Naraja, Presiding Judge Joseph N. Cama

Saipan, CNMI – On June 12, 2026, the U.S. Probation Office conducted the “4th Annual Shooting Competition Workshop” featuring hands-on training with its advanced MILO Range shooting simulator. Held at the Guma’ Hustisia and coordinated by the NMI Judiciary Office of Adult Probation Supervision, the workshop was led by U.S. Probation Officers Gregory Arriola, Ricardo Leon Guerrero, and Timothy Rabago. The workshop incorporated the use of the state-of-the-art MILO Range, allowi

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court issued an opinion clarifying when a party’s liability is considered “extinguished” and reaffirming the right of a co-defendant to seek contribution after paying more than its share of the joint obligation The dispute arises from defects in the Tottotville housing project, where Telesource CNMI, Inc. (“Telesource) and SSFM International, Inc. (“SSFM”), were found jointly liable through arbitration for approximately $5.4 million in damages owe

(From left) Justice John A. Manglona, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, and Justice Pro Tempore Robert J. Torres presided over the proceedings in Commonwealth v. Abraczinskas.(May 28, 2026) Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in three cases last week during its May 2026 appellate session at the Guma' Hustisia. The session marked the Court’s first arguments since Super Typhoon Sinlaku, which had suspended court operations in April. Prosecutor Frances Demap