The North Dakota Court System released its 2025 Annual Report on Apr. 2, outlining developments in judicial administration, technology, and public service over the past year.
The report is intended to demonstrate the judiciary’s ongoing commitment to providing equal access to fair and timely resolution of disputes through an independent court system.
A major change highlighted in the report is the election of Lisa Fair McEvers as Chief Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court. She is the first woman to serve in this role in state history, succeeding Jon J. Jensen. The report states that Jensen’s tenure focused on innovation and modernization within the courts. In her message, Chief Justice McEvers describes plans to strengthen court security, support municipal courts, and continue improving access to justice and court administration.
The Annual Report presents key statistics from 2025: there were 154,399 district court cases filed statewide; appellate courts received 406 cases; the Supreme Court issued 237 majority opinions; there were 238 jury trials across North Dakota; mediation programs accepted 774 cases; and juvenile courts handled more than five thousand delinquency referrals. The judicial branch accounted for just under one percent of the state’s biennium budget.
Other sections of the report discuss specialized dockets addressing treatment needs, veterans’ issues, and domestic violence. These initiatives are designed to promote accountability and rehabilitation for individuals involved with the legal system. Additionally, services such as mediation programs and a Legal Self-Help Center aim to improve access for self-represented litigants or those from underserved communities.
The full text of the North Dakota Court System’s annual report can be found at https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Court%20Administration/Annual-Report/NDSC-2025-annual-report.pdf.
