Rule 36 Entry of Judgment

When the North Dakota Supreme Court decides a case, its ruling becomes official through a step called "entry of judgment." This happens when the court clerk writes it down on the official case record, known as the docket. The clerk prepares, signs, and enters the judgment either after the court issues a written opinion explaining its decision, or right away if the court makes a decision without writing a full opinion.

Once the judgment is entered, the clerk must let everyone involved in the case know. The clerk sends each party a copy of the opinion (or the judgment itself if there was no opinion) along with a notice showing the exact date the judgment was entered. This information can be sent through regular mail, a delivery service like FedEx or UPS, or electronically, such as by email.

This rule matters because the date of entry often starts the clock for other important deadlines, like filing further appeals or requesting a rehearing. Knowing when and how you'll be notified helps you keep track of your case and avoid missing important dates.