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

Saipan, CNMI – The Northern Mariana Islands Judiciary is warning the public about a new scam being used in the United States in which callers pretend to be from the state judiciary’s supreme court clerk’s office. In recent months, people in the United States have reported receiving calls from individuals falsely claiming to represent the Clerk’s Office. To make the scheme appear legitimate, the caller “spoofs” the Judiciary’s official phone number so that it appears on caller