In Re Opening of Judiciary Facilities Post Super Typhoon Sinlaku
- tracylimes
- 2 days ago
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On April 13, 2026, the Supreme Court issued Administrative Order No. 2026-ADM-0008-MSC, closing all Judiciary facilities due to Super Typhoon Sinlaku (“Typhoon Sinlaku”). From April 13–16, 2026, Typhoon Sinlaku made landfall and caused flooding and widespread damage to public infrastructure, including court buildings across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Assessment and recovery efforts are ongoing, and operations will resume in phases to ensure safety and continuity of operations.
Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s inherent and supervisory powers under Article IV, Section 3 of the NMI Constitution and 1 CMC § 3401(a), the Court ORDERS the following:
I. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. General Administrative Provisions.
(1) Justices and Judges are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that core constitutional functions and rights are protected. Additionally,
Judiciary staff are charged with ensuring that court functions continue. All court employees shall receive direction from their supervisor as to work reporting requirements.
(2) Effective Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the following facilities shall be open to the public for limited purposes, including bail, family protection, emergency, time-sensitive, and selected criminal matters:
a) Guma’ Hustisia, Susupe, Saipan;
b) Kotten Tinian, San Jose, Tinian; and
c) Centron Hustisia, Sinapalo, Rota.
II. SUPREME COURT
A. Electronic Filing. All e-filing and service deadlines and procedures remain in effect.
B. Oral Arguments. Second quarter oral arguments scheduled in May of 2026 will proceed as scheduled.
III. SUPERIOR COURT
A. Superior Court General Actions and Matters (including criminal, civil,
traffic and small claims). The Superior Court hearings scheduled from April 13 to April 24, 2026, are hereby postponed and shall be rescheduled by the respective judge presiding over the matter.
B. Extended Deadlines for Superior Court Filing & Service and Fees:
(1) Unless otherwise ordered by the respective judge presiding, all filing deadlines for pending cases from April 13 to April 24 are hereby extended until May 1, 2026.
a. All criminal, civil, traffic and small claims case filings will be accepted by e-filing through File & ServeXpress in accordance with applicable rules.
(2) Unless otherwise ordered by the respective judge presiding, all deadlines for fees and fines are hereby extended until May 1, 2026.
(3) Service of documents shall conform to the NMI Rules of Practice, NMI Rules of Civil Procedure, and the NMI Rules for Electronic Filing &
Service.
IV. OTHER JUDICIARY OPERATIONS
A. Commonwealth Recorder’s Office. The Commonwealth Recorder’s Office
eRecording platform remains available for recording, indexing, and research. In person services may be made by appointment: email to Kelsey.Aldan@NMIJudiciary.gov or call 1-670-236-9830.
B. Budget & Finance/Cashier’s Office. Effective Wednesday, April 22, 2026, temporary business hours for the Cashier’s Office will be from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., until further notice.
C. Records. All requests for transcripts (audio or written), document processing, or record certification for the Clerk of the Superior Court, Family Court Division, Office of Adult Probation Supervision, Drug Court Division, and the Mental Health Court Docket will be accepted by the following methods:
(1) By email to Superior.Court@NMIJudiciary.gov; or
(2) If the electronic submission of documents is impossible, documents may be submitted in person at the Superior Court Clerk’s Office at Guma’
Hustisia.
D. Reviewing Documents. Persons interested in reviewing documents may request an appointment by email at Superior.Court@NMIJudiciary.gov or telephone at (670) 236-9766 or (670) 783-8522.
E. Police Clearance. Persons interested in obtaining a police clearance may request one by email at Superior.Court@NMIJudiciary.gov.
SO ORDERED this 20th day of April, 2026.
____________/s/___________
ALEXANDRO C. CASTRO
Chief Justice
____________/s/___________
JOHN A. MANGLONA
Justice
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