The Northern Mariana Islands Supreme Court Rules are generally based
on the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. Care has been taken to ensure
that deviations from the federal rules are minimal. Accordingly, a
deviation from an analogous federal rule is intentional. Rules designated
by integers (e.g., “25”) or decimals (e.g., “26.1”) are based on the
corresponding federal rule bearing the same number. Rules designated by
dashed numbers (e.g., “27-1”) are not. This numbering system is
analogous to that used by the federal circuits, where local circuit rules are
designated by dashed numbers. The only exceptions to this format are
Rules 13 and 14, dealing with certified questions. These are not based on
federal rules.
