Chapter 31.29 JUDGMENTS
(1) Contents. Following the announcement of the verdict, the judge shall announce the judgment in the case. The verdict and the judgment may be combined in the same announcement. The judgment shall be reduced to writing. A copy shall be delivered to each of the parties or their representatives. The judgment shall contain a statement of all relief granted to the prevailing party including, where appropriate, the declaration of rights and responsibilities of the parties, an assessment of damages, including a provision for interest until the judgment is paid, an order directing that certain actions be taken or not taken, and an assessment of the costs of the action and to whom those costs are assigned.
(2) Preparation of Judgment. Where desired by one or more of the parties, or where directed by the Tribal Court, the parties shall prepare a proposed written judgment. In addition, the parties may prepare and present to the judge proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. No such proposed findings, conclusions or judgment shall be signed by the judge until the other parties have been given seven Court days’ notice of their presentation to the judge, or such notice has been waived in writing.
(3) Reconsideration of Judgment. No later than six Court days after a judgment is final, a party may ask the judge for a rehearing, reconsideration, correction, vacation, or modification of the judgment. The judge may grant a new hearing or reconsider and change the judgment if they find one of the following to be true:
(A) The original judgment was based on, or reached as a result of, fraud or mistake; or there is new information available which could have affected the outcome of the case and which could not, with reasonable effort, have been discovered in time for the hearing on the case; or
(B) The Tribal Court did not have the jurisdiction over a party or over the subject matter at the time of the hearing on the case, but has subsequently acquired such jurisdiction.
(4) Costs. The Tribal Court may assess the costs of the case against the party or parties against whom judgment was given. The costs shall consist of witness fees and expenses, representative fees, and any other expenses connected with the procedure under these Rules as the Tribal Court may direct.
(5) Declaratory Judgments. The Tribal Court shall have the power to declare rights, status, and other legal relations whether or not further relief is or could be claimed, in any matter over which the Tribal Court has jurisdiction. No action or proceeding shall be open to objection on the ground that a declaratory judgment or decree is prayed for. The Tribal Court declarations may be either affirmative or negative in form and effect and shall be final judgment. The Tribal Court may refuse to render or enter a declaratory judgment where such judgment or decree, if rendered or entered, would not terminate the uncertainty or controversy giving rise to the proceeding. Orders, judgments, and decrees under this subsection may only be reviewed as other orders, judgments, and decrees of the Tribal Court. When a proceeding under this subsection involves the determination of an issue of fact, such issue may be tried and determined in the same manner as issues of facts are tried and determined in other civil actions in the Tribal Court. In any proceeding under this subsection, the Tribal Court may award costs as it deems equitable and just.
(6) Precedential Judgments. The Clerk shall maintain all precedential judgments of the Tribal Court and make such precedential judgments available upon request to any requesting person upon payment of the fee provided in the Tribal Court Fee Schedule. [Res. 24-44, 2024.]