HOPI RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

HOPI RULES OF CIVIL

PROCEDURE

ENACTED

AUGUST 28, 2012

HOPI RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Rule 1. SCOPE OF RULES.

a) Scope. Except when different rules prescribed in this Code specifically apply, these

rules shall govern the procedure in the trial and appellate courts of the Hopi Tribe in

all actions, suits, and proceedings of a civil nature and in all special proceedings

established by law.

b) Construction. These rules shall be liberally construed to secure a just, speedy, and

inexpensive determination of every action.

c) One Form of Action. There shall be one form of action known, except in criminal

cases, as a "civil action."

II. COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION AND PRELIMINARY MATTERS.

Rule 2. COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS.

a) Commencement of Action. A civil action is commenced by filing a complaint and

serving a copy of such on the defendant or defendants as provided herein. The court

shall have jurisdiction from such time as both the complaint is filed and properly

served upon the defendant and a return of service is filed with the clerk.

b) Service of Process. Service of process shall consist of delivering to the party

served a copy of the complaint along with a summons, which need not be issued by

the judge or clerk, which advises the defendant that he is required to answer the

complaint within 20 days (or in case the Tribe is a defendant, 60 days) or a default

judgment will be entered against him.

1) The return of service shall be endorsed with the name of the person

serving and the date, time, and place of service and shall be filed with the

clerk.

2) Service may be made on a party by delivering the required papers to the

party himself or upon some person of suitable age and discretion over 14

years old at the party's home or principal place of business, or on an officer,

managing agent or employee, or partner of a. non-individual party.

3) Service by publication may be made upon order of the court for good

cause shown by publishing the contents of the summons in a local newspaper

of general circulation at least once per week for four weeks and by leaving an

extra copy of the complaint or paper with the court for the party.

4) Service may be made by any law enforcement officer or other person, not

a party, 18 years of age or older.

5) Service upon a person otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Hopi Trial

Court may be made anywhere in the State of Arizona; otherwise, service shall

be made within the boundaries of the Reservation, including any area within

the 1934 Reservation.

6) If a person personally refuses to accept service, service shall be deemed

performed if the person is informed of the purpose of the service and offered

copies of the papers served.

c) All papers required to be filed shall be served as under this rule or, except for the

complaint, may be served on the counselor or attorney for a party. Service of all

papers except the complaint may be made by mail, first class postage prepaid and

properly addressed.

Rule 3. TIME.

a) Computation. In computing any period of time set forth herein, the day that the

period is to commence from shall not be counted and the last day of the period shall

be counted; provided, however, that any time period under 7 days will not include

intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays in the period and any period

which would otherwise end on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday will be deemed

to end on the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

b) Enlargement. The Court for good cause shown may enlarge the prescribed period

of time within which any required act may be done.

c) Notice of Motions. Written motions and notices of hearing thereon, other than

ones that may be heard ex parte, shall be served not later than 5 days (or where the

Tribe is a party upon whom notice is served, 20 days) prior to the time specified for

hearing.

d) Service by Mail. Whenever service is accomplished by mail, three days shall be

added to the prescribed period of time, but such additional shall not cause

Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays to be counted in the time period if they would

not otherwise have been counted.

Rule 4. PLEADINGS, MOTIONS, AND ORDERS.

a) Pleadings. There shall be a complaint and an answer; plus a responsive pleading

shall be allowed whenever, by cross claim, counterclaim or otherwise, a party is first

claimed against unless the court shall otherwise order. The court may grant

additional leave to plead in the interest of narrowing and defining issues or as justice

may require.

b) Motions and Orders.

1) Motions. An application to the court for an order shall be by motion and

shall be in writing, unless made during a hearing or trial, and shall set forth

the relief or order sought and the grounds therefore stated with particularity.

A motion and notice of motion may be set forth together.

2) Orders. An order includes every direction of the court whether included in a

judgment or trot, and may be made with or without notice to adverse parties

and may be vacated or modified with or without notice.

3) Hearings on Motions and Orders. A motion or hearing on an order shall be

automatically continued if the judge before whom it was to be heard is unable

to hear it on the day specified and no other judge is available to hear it.

Rule 5. GENERAL RULES OF PLEADING.

a) Claims for Relief. A pleading that sets forth a claim, for affirmative relief shall

contain:

1) A short plan statement of the grounds upon which the court's jurisdiction

depends, unless the court already has jurisdiction over the matter;

2) a short, plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to

relief; and

3) a demand for judgment for the relief to which the pleader considers

himself entitled. Such claim for relief can be in the alternative or for several

types of relief.

b) Defenses and Denials. A party shall state in plain, concise terms the grounds upon

w is he bases his defense to claims pleaded against him, and shall admit or deny the

claims and statements upon which the adverse party relies. If he is without

information or knowledge regarding a statement or claim, he shall so state and such

shall be deemed to be a denial. Denials shall fairly meet the substance of the claims

or statements denied and may be made as to specific parts but not all of a claim,

statement, or averment. A general denial shall not be made unless the party could in

good faith deny each and every claim covered thereby. A claim to which a responsive

pleading is required, except for amount of damages, shall be deemed admitted

unless denied; if no responsive pleading is allowed the claims of the adverse party

shall be deemed denied.

c) General Content of Claims and Defenses. Claims and defenses shall be simply,

concisely, and directly stated, but may be in alternative or hypothetical form, one or

several counts or defenses, need not be consistent with one another, and may be

based on legal or equitable grounds or both.

d) Affirmative Defenses. Matters constituting an affirmative defense or avoidance

shall be affirmatively set forth. When a party has mistakenly designated a defense as

a counterclaim or vice versa, the court may treat the pleading as it had been

properly designated if justice so requires.

e) Construction of Pleadings. All pleadings shall be so construed as to do substantial

justice.

Rule 6. FORM OF PLEADINGS.

a) Caption. Every pleading shall contain a caption containing the name court, the

title of the action, the court file number (if known) and a designation as to what kind

of pleading it is. All pleadings shall contain the names of the parties except the name

of the first party on each side may be used on all pleadings except the complaint.

b) Paragraphs. All averments of claim or defense shall be set forth in separate

numbered paragraphs each of which is limited, as nearly as possible, to a single

circumstance. Claims or defenses founded upon separate transaction or occurrences

should be set forth in separate counts or defenses.

c) Exhibits; Adoption by Reference. Statements in a pleading may be adopted by

reference in a different part of the same pleading or in another pleading or in any

motion. A copy of a written instrument that is an exhibit to a pleading is a part

thereof for all purposes.

d) Paper Used in Pleadings. Insofar as is possible, pleadings and other papers filed in

any action shall be on legal size paper, double spaced, except for matters

customarily single spaced, contain at least a 2-inch top margin and a 1-inch left side

margin, and contain the court file number on the first page thereof. Substantial

compliance with this rule will be sufficient for all parties not represented by a

professional attorney.

Rule 7. DEFENSES AND OBJECTIONS

a) When Presented. A defendant or other party against whom a claim has been made

or affirmative relief shall have 20 days (or in the case of the Tribe, 60 days) from the

date of service upon him to answer or respond to the claim.

b) Motions. Motions to dismiss or to make the opposing parties' pleadings more

definite may be made prior to answering a claim and an answer will not be due until

10 days after the disposition of the motion by the Court.

Rule 8. COUNTERCLAIM OR CROSSCLAIM

a) Counterclaim. A party against whom a claim is made may assert in his answer any

claims he has against the party claiming against him and both claims shall be

resolved at trial.

b) Crossclaim. A party against whom a claim is made may assert any claim he has

against a co-party and have such claim resolved at trial.

c) Third Party Claim. A party against whom a claim is made may complain against a

third party who is or may be liable for payment for performance of the claim of the

opposing party and have such complaint resolved at trial.

Rule 9. AMENDMENT OF PLEADINGS.

a) Amendment Before Trial. A party may amend his pleadings once before the

opposing party has replied or if no reply is required, not less than 20 days before the

case is scheduled for trail. The opposing party may respond if appropriate and the

trial date be delayed if necessary. Other amendments shall be allowed only upon

motion and order of the Court.

b) At Trial. When issues or evidence not raised in the pleadings are heard at trial, the

judgment may conform to such issues or evidence without the necessity of amending

the pleadings.

Rule 10. PARTIES.

a) Real Party in Interest. Every action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real

party in interest, except a personal representative or other person in a fiduciary

position can sue in his own name without joining the party for whose benefit the

action is maintained.

b) Guardian Ad Litem. When an infant, or insane, or incompetent person who has not

had a general guardian appointed is a party, the Court shall appoint a guardian ad

litem to represent such person in the suit or action.

c) Joinder of Parties. To the greatest extent possible given the limited jurisdiction of

the Hopi Trial Court, all persons or parties interested in a particular action may be

jointed in the action, but failure to join a party over whom the Court has no

jurisdiction will not require dismissal of the action unless it would be impossible to

reach a just result without such party; otherwise, the failure to join a party maybe

taken into account to assure that justice is done.

Rule 11. INTERVENTION.

A person may intervene and be treated in all respects as a party to an action in

cases in which property in which he has an interest may be affected or a question or

law or fact common to a claim of his may be litigated.

Rule 12. SUBSTITUTION OF PARTIES.

If a party dies or becomes incompetent or transfers his interest or separates from

some official capacity, a substitute party may be jointed or substituted as justice

requires.

Rule 13. DISCOVERY.

Reasonable discovery shall be permitted.

Rule 14. JURY TRIALS.

a) When Allowed. Trials of all civil actions shall be to the Court without a jury unless

a party to the action files a request for a jury trial and a fee of $25,000 not less than

25 days prior to the scheduled date of trial. A judge may, upon good cause shown,

waive payment of the required fee.

b) Issues Triable. Unless the requesting party specifies otherwise, all factual issues

properly triable by a jury shall be decided by the jury at trial. A party requesting a

jury trial may specify only those issues he wants tried to the jury, and any other

party may specify, nor less than 5 days before the date scheduled for trial, any other

issues he wishes to be so tried. Once any or all issues of a case have been requested

for a jury trial, such request may not be withdrawn without the consent of all the

parties.

c) Designation by Judge.

1) A judge may, upon his own motion, order the trial by a jury of any or all of

the factual issues of a case regardless of whether or not the parties have

requested such.

2) A judge may, upon motion of any party or its own initiative, find that some

or all of the issues designated for jury trial are not properly triable to a jury,

and order that no jury trial be held on such issues.

3) A judge may hear and decide an issue or issues without a jury if either

party to an issue fails to appear at trial, regardless of any request made for a

jury trial on such issues.

Rule 15. ASSIGNING CASES FOR TRIAL.

a) Assignment of Judge and Date. The Chief Judge shall determine which judge shall

hear a case, and shall provide by rule for the placing of cases on the court calendar

with or without the request of any party provided all parties are given adequate

notice of trial dates.

b) Postponement. Upon motion of a party, the court may in its discretion, an upon

such terms as it deems just, including the payment of any cost occasioned by such

postponement, postpone a trial or proceeding upon good cause shown.

Rule 16. DISMISSAL OF ACTION.

a) Voluntary Dismissal. Prior to the responsive pleading of a party against whom a

claim has been made or motion to dismiss or for summary judgment on such claim,

the party making the claim may file a notice of dismissal and his claims shall be

deemed dismissed without prejudice. In all other circumstances a party may move

the court to dismiss his own clam and the court shall do so either with or without

prejudice as is just and proper given the stage of the proceedings, provided,

however, if a cross or counterclaim has been filed against the moving party, the

judge shall dismiss the claim only when the consent of the adverse party or only if it

appears that the other party can prosecute his claim independently without undue

additional hardship.

b) Involuntary Dismissal. A party against whom a claim has been made may move

the court to dismiss the claim of the adverse party upon any of the following

grounds:

1) failure of the adverse party to pursue prosecution of his claim; or

2) Failure of the adverse party to comply substantially with these rules; or

3) failure of the adverse party to comply with an order of the court; or

4) at the close of the presentation of the other party's evidence and without

prejudicing his own right to present evidence, failure of the opposing party to

establishing a right to relief based on the facts and law presented;

5) whenever dismissal appears proper based upon a failure to provide a

claim.

Such dismissal shall be deemed an adjudication of the merits of the issue dismissed

unless the court shall, for good cause shown order otherwise. The court may

postpone ruling on a motion to dismiss for failure to establish a right to any relief

until the close of all the evidence.

c) The court may order a party moving to dismiss his own claim to pay the costs of

the adverse party if the proceeding has progressed beyond the pleading stage, and

may order payment of costs in other circumstances where such is deemed

appropriate.

Rule 17. CONSOLIDATION; SEPARATE TRIALS.

a) Consolidation. The court may, upon motion of any part or its own motion, order

some or all of the issues of separate actions tried together when there is a common

issue of fact or law relating the actions or if such will tend to avoid unnecessary cost

or delay.

b) Separate Trials. The court may, to avoid prejudice or in furtherance of

convenience, order a separate trial of a claim or issue.

Rule 18. EVIDENCE.

a) Form and Admissibility. At all hearings and trials, the testimony of witnesses shall

be taken orally under oath, unless otherwise provided in these rules. All evidence

admissible under general rules of evidence or as specified elsewhere in tribal

ordinances shall be admissible and the competency of witnesses to testify shall be

similarly determined.

b) Examination and Cross Examination.

1) A party may use leading questions against an adverse party or hostile

witness or whenever such appears reasonably necessary to elicit testimony

from witnesses of tender years or poor ability to communicate.

2) A party may call any person to a witness and examine any witness so

called on any matter relevant to the action. A party may impeach his own

witness.

3) Cross examination shall be limited to the general scope of direct

examination, provided, however, that full examination of all witnesses shall

be allowed on direct or cross examination to assure complete development of

all relevant facts.

c) Physical Evidence. Written documents and other physical evidence shall be

received upon being identified and a showing of relevance to the action.

d) Official Documents. Official documents or an official law record or copy thereof

may be admitted into evidence upon the testimony of an official having custody or

official knowledge thereof or without such testimony if the document or record or

copy thereof is accompanied by a certificate identifying such thing and stating that it

is a true and correct representation of what it purports to be.

e) Record of Excluded Evidence. In an action tried to a jury, excluded evidence may

upon request be included in the record for purposes of appeal and excluded oral

testimony shall be put into evidence by means of an offer of proof made out of the

hearing of the jury. In an action tried only to the court, the judge may receive such

excluded testimony into the record.

Rule 19. SUBPOENAS.

a) Issuance. Subpoenas for attendance of witnesses or production of documents or

things shall be issued by the clerk of the Tribal Court and served by any police officer

or other persons not a party over 18 years of age; provided that Hopi Tribal Council

official officers shall not be subject to subpoena without their consent.

b) Failure to Appear. A person who has been properly served with a subpoena and

fails to appear or produce may be deemed in contempt of court and/or the Court

may order his arrest for the offense of Failure to Obey a Lawful Order of the Court.

Rule 20. JURORS.

a) Number of Jurors; Alternate. There shall be six jurors chosen to hear a case plus

the Court may allow one additional Juror to be chosen as an alternate juror. In the

event that an alternate juror is chosen and hears the case, he shall be dismissed

prior to the jury's deliberation if not needed, and treated like a regular juror if

needed.

b) Examination of Jurors. The court shall permit the parties or the attorneys to

conduct the examination of prospective jurors and may itself examine the jurors.

c) Challenges.

1) A challenge is an objection made to a potential trial juror. Either party may

challenge jurors but where there are several parties on each side, they must

join in a challenge before it can be made.

2) Challenges to jurors are either peremptory or for cause. Each party or side

shall be entitled to three peremptory challenges.

3) Challenges for cause shall be made against a potential juror on the

grounds that he is not entitled or qualified to be a juror, he is familiar with

the case or has formed an opinion regarding the case, or if for any other

reason it appears likely or reasonably possible that a juror will not be able to

render a fair, impartial verdict. The judge may take evidence relative to a

challenge for cause and shall in any event render a decision thereon.

d) Selection of Jury. The Clerk shall draw lots to determine potential jurors and shall

replace jurors for whom a challenge is sustained until a full panel is completed. Upon

completion, the clerk shall administer the oath to the jurors, the form of which shall

be prescribed by rule of the Court.

e) Discharge of Juror. If, after the proceedings begin and before a verdict is reached,

a juror becomes unable or disqualified to perform his duty, the alternate juror shall

take his place; if there is no alternate juror, the parties may agree to complete the

action with the other jurors. If no agreement can be reached, the judge shall

discharge the jury and the case shall be tried with a new jury.

f) View of Jury. The Court may, for good cause shown allow the jury to view the

property or place of occurrence of a disputed or otherwise relevant event.

g) Separation of the Jury. Any time prior to their verdict when the jurors are allowed

to leave the courtroom, the judge shall admonish them not to converse with or listen

to any other person on the subject of the trial and further admonish them not to

form or express an opinion on the case until the case is submitted to the jury for

their decision.

h) Deliberation. Once the case is submitted to them, the jury shall retire to

deliberate in private under the charge of an officer of the court who will refrain from

communicating with them except to inquire whether they have reached a verdict,

and he shall prevent others from improperly communicating with the jury.

i) Things Taken by Jury. The jury may take with them when deliberating any of the

following:

1) the Court's instructions;

2) papers or things received in evidence as exhibits;

3) notes taken by the jurors themselves, but not notes taken by a non-juror.

j) Additional Instructions. If after the jury retires, there is some question on an

instruction or other point of law or disagreement regarding the testimony, the jury

may request additional instructions from the Court, such to be given on the record

after notice to the parties or their counsel.

k). No Verdict. If the jury is discharged before rendering their verdict or for any

reason prevented from giving a verdict, the action shall be retried.

l) Declaration of the Verdict. When all or at least five of the six jury members agree

on a verdict, they shall so inform the officer who shall notify the Court. A unanimous

verdict shall be required in criminal trial. The jury shall be conducted into the

courtroom, the clerk shall call the jury roll; the verdict shall be given in writing to the

clerk and then read by the clerk to the court; inquiry shall be made by the court to

the jury foreman as to whether such is their verdict. Either party may have the jury

polled individually to determine if such is, in fact, their verdict. If insufficient jurors

agree with the verdict, the jury shall be sent out again to reconsider; otherwise, the

verdict is complete and the jury shall be dismissed. If the verdict is read or recorded

incorrectly by the clerk or foreman, the jury shall retire to correct the verdict.

Rule 21. SPECIAL VERDICTS AND INTERROGATORIES.

The court may require the jury to return their verdict in the form of specific findings

on specified issues or may require the jury to return a general verdict accompanied

by answers to questions related to the issue under consideration.

Rule 22. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE JURY; ARGUMENTS.

a) Instructions. At the close of the evidence or at such earlier time as the Court may

direct, any party may file written requested instructions for the court to give the

jury. The court shall inform the parties or their counsel of the instructions it intends

to give and hear argument thereon out of the hearing of the jury.

b) Arguments. Final arguments for the parties shall be made after the jury as been

instructed. The court shall not comment on the evidence of the case and, if it should

restate any of the evidence, it shall inform the jury that they are the sole judges of

the facts.

Rule

23.

MOTIONS

FOR

DIRECTED

NOTWITHSTANDING THE VERDICT.

VERDICT

AND

FOR

JUDGMENT

a) Motion for a Directed Verdict. A party who moves for a directed verdict at the

close of the evidence offered by the opposing side may offer evidence as if no motion

had been made in the event that the motion is denied. A motion for directed verdict

shall state the grounds therefore and may be granted by the court without the

assent of the jury.

b) Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding The Verdict. A party who has made a

motion or a directed verdict at the close of all the evidence, which motion has been

denied or not granted, may, within 10 days after entry of judgment move to have

the verdict and any judgment entered thereon set aside and entered according to his

motion for directed verdict; or if there has been verdict, the party may so move

within 10 days after the jury has been discharged. A motion for a new trial may be

made in the alternative. The court shall enter judgment or make any orders

consistent with his decision on the motion.

Rule 24. FINDINGS BY THE COURT.

In cases tried without a jury, and except in cases where a party defaults, fails to

appear or otherwise waives such, findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be

made by the court in support of all final judgments. Upon its own motion or the

motion of any party within ten days of the entry of judgment, findings may be

amended or added to and the judgment may be amended accordingly.

Rule 25. JUDGMENT: COSTS.

a) Definition. A judgment includes any final order from which an appeal is available

and no special form of judgment is required.

b) Judgment on Multiple Claims. When more than one claim for relief is presented in

an action, however designated, a final judgment may be entered on less than all of

such claims only upon the Court's specifically finding that such is justified. Absent

such a finding, an order or decision will not terminate the action as to any of the

claims until all claims are finally decided, nor will the appeal period commence to

run.

c) Demand for Judgment.

1) Generally. Except in the case of a default judgment, every final judgment

shall grant the relief to which the party in whose favor it is rendered is

entitled, even if such relief is not demanded in the pleadings. It may be given

for or against one or more of several claimants; and it may, if justice so

requires, determine the ultimate rights of the parties on each side as between

or among themselves.

2) Judgment by Default. A judgment by default shall not be different in kind

from, or exceed in amount, that specifically prayed for in the demand for

judgment.

d) Costs. Unless the court shall otherwise direct, the court shall allow necessary

costs and disbursements to the prevailing party or parties as a matter of course.

Such prevailing party shall file with the court a verified memorandum of his costs

and necessary disbursements within five days of the entry judgment and serve a

copy of such on the opposing party, and if such are not objected to within 10 days,

they shall be deemed to be a part of and included in the judgment rendered. The

appellate court may award costs in a like manner. Costs shall not be awarded against

the Hopi Tribe by either the trial or appellate court without the consent of the Tribe.

e) Attorneys Fees. The court shall not award attorneys fees in a case unless such

have been specifically provided for by a contract or agreement of the parties under

dispute, or unless it reasonably appears that the case has been prosecuted for

purposes of harassment only, or that there was no reasonable expectation of success

on the part of the affirmatively claiming party.

Rule 26. DEFAULT.

a) Entry of Default. When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is

sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend as provided by these rules, his default

may be entered by the clerk and judgment by default granted. Once the default is

entered no further notice to the defaulting party of any action taken or to be taken

need be given.

b) Judgment by Default. Judgment by default may be entered by the clerk it a

party's claim against the opposing party is for a sum of money which is or can be

computation be made certain, and if the opposing party has been personally served

on the reservation. Otherwise, judgment by default can be entered only by the court

upon receipt of whatever evidence the court deems necessary to establish the claim.

No judgment by default shall be entered against the Hopi Tribe.

c) Setting Aside Default. The court may, for good cause shown set aside either an

entry of default shall be entered against the Hopi Tribe.

Rule 27. SUMMARY JUDGMENT.

Anytime 20 days after commencement of an action, any party may move the court

for summary judgment as to any or all of the issues presented in the case and such

shall be granted by the court if it appears that there is no genuine issue as to any

material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Such motions, which shall be served not less than 10 days prior to the hearing on

said motion, may be supported by affidavits, discovery, or memoranda, all of which

must be made available to opposing parties at least two days prior to the hearing.

Rule 28. ENTRY OF JUDGMENT.

a) Judgment. Judgment upon verdict of a jury shall be signed by the clerk and filed.

All other judgments shall be signed by the judge and filed with the clerk.

b) Effectiveness; Recordation. A judgment is complete and shall be deemed entered

for all purposes when it is signed and filed as provided herein. The clerk shall

immediately make a notation of the judgment in the register of actions and the

judgment docket.

c) Death of a party. If a party dies after a verdict or decision upon any issue of fact

and before judgment, judgment may nevertheless be entered thereon.

d) Satisfaction of Judgment. A judgment may be satisfied, in whole or in part, as to

any or all of the judgment debtors by the owner thereof or his attorney of record

executing under oath and filing an acknowledgment of satisfaction specifying the

amount paid and whether such is a full or partial satisfaction. A judge may order the

entry of satisfaction upon proof of payment and failure of the judgment creditor to

file a satisfaction. The clerk shall file all satisfactions of judgment and note the

amount thereof in the register of actions and the judgment docket.

e) Effect of Satisfaction; Limitation. A judgment satisfied in whole, with such act

being entered in the judgment docket, shall cease to operate as such. A partially

satisfied judgment or unsatisfied judgment shall continue in effect for eight years or

until satisfied. An action to renew the judgment remaining unsatisfied may be

maintained anytime prior to the expiration of eight years and will extend the period

of limitations and additional 8 years and may be thereafter further extended by the

same procedure.

Rule 29. NEW TRIALS: AMENDMENTS OF JUDGMENT.

a) Grounds; Time. Any party may petition for a new trial on any or all of the issues

presented by serving a motion not later than 10 days after the entry of judgment,

for any of the following causes:

1) error or irregularity which prevented any party from receiving a fair trial;

or

2) misconduct of the jury or jury members; or

3) accident or surprise, or newly discovered evidence which ordinary

prudence could not have guarded against or proceeded at trial; or

4) damages so excessive or inadequate that they appear to have been given

under influence of passion or prejudice; or

5) insufficiency of the evidence to justify the verdict or other decision, or that

it is against the law; or

6) error in law.

b) Harmless Error. A new trial shall not be granted on the basis of error irregularity

that

was

harmless

in

that

it

did

not

affect

substantial

justice.

c) Support for Motion. Parties may include memoranda or affidavits in support of

their motions to which reply memoranda and affidavits shall be allowed if desired.

d) Court Initiative. The court may, on its own initiative, not later than 10 days after

entry of judgment, order a new trial on any grounds assertable by a party to the

action, and shall specify the reasons for so ordering.

e) Motion to Alter or Amend Judgment. A motion to alter or amend a judgment shall

be served not later than 10 days after entry of the judgment.

Rule 30. RELIEF FROM JUDGMENT OR ORDER.

a) Clerical Mistakes. Clerical mistakes in judgments, orders or other parts of the

record and errors herein arising from oversight or omission may be corrected by the

court at any time of its own initiative or on the motion of any party and after such

notice as the court may direct; mistakes may be corrected before an appeal is

docketed in the appellate court, and thereafter while the appeal is pending may be

corrected with leave of the appellate court.

b) Mistakes; Inadvertence; Excusable Neglect; Newly Discovered Evidence; Fraud,

etc. On motion and upon such terms as are just, the court may, in the furtherance of

justice, relieve a party or his legal representative from a final judgment, order, or

proceeding for the following reasons: (1) mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or

excusable neglect; (2) newly discovered evidence which by due diligence could not

have been discovered in time to move for a new trial under Rule 29(a); (3) fraud,

misrepresentation or other misconduct of an adverse party; (4) when, for any cause,

the summons in an action has not been personally served upon the defendant and

the defendant has failed to appear in said action; (5) the judgment is void; (6) the

judgment has been satisfied, released, or discharged, or a judgment upon which it is

based has been reversed or otherwise vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the

judgment should have prospective application; or (7) any other reason justifying

relief from the operation of the judgment. The motion shall be made with a

reasonable time and for reasons (1), (2), (3), or (4), not more than 3 months after

the judgment, order, or proceeding was entered or taken. A motion under this

subdivision (b) does not affect the finality of a judgment or suspend its operation.

This rule does not limit the power of a court to entertain an independent action to

relieve a part from a judgment, order or proceeding or to set aside a judgment for

fraud upon the court. The procedure for obtaining any relief from a judgment shall

be by motion as prescribed in these rules or by an independent action.

Rule 31. HARMLESS ERROR.

No error in either the admission or the exclusion of evidence, and no error or defect

in any ruling or order or in anything done or omitted by the court or by any of the

parties, is ground for granting a new trial or otherwise disturbing a judgment or

order, unless refusal to take such action appears to the court inconsistent with

substantial justice. The court at every state of the proceeding shall disregard any

error or defect in the proceeding that does not effect the substantial rights of the

parties.

Rule 32. STAY OF PROCEEDINGS TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT.

a) Stay Upon Entry of Judgment. Proceedings to enforce a judgment may issue

immediately upon the entry of the judgment, unless the court in its discretion and on

such conditions for the security of the adverse party as are proper, otherwise directs.

b) Stay on Motion for New Trial or for Judgment. In its discretion and on such

conditions for the security of the adverse party as are proper, the court may stay the

execution of, or any proceedings to enforce, a judgment pending the disposition of a

motion for a new trial or to alter or amend a judgment or of a motion for relief from

a judgment or order, or of a motion for judgment in accordance with a motion for a

directed verdict, or of a motion for amendment to the findings or for additional

findings.

c) Injunction Pending Appeal. When an appeal is taken from an interlocutory or final

judgment granting, dissolving, or denying an injunction, the court in its discretion

may suspend, modify, restore, or grant an injunction during the pendency of the

appeal upon such conditions as it considers proper for the security of the rights of

the adverse party.

d) Stay Upon Appeal. When an appeal is taken the appellant by giving a bon in an

amount set by the court may obtain a stay, unless such a stay is otherwise

prohibited by law or these rules. The bond may be given at or within 10 days after

the time of filing the notice of appeal. The stay is effective when the bond is

approved by the court.

e) Stay in Favor or the Tribe, or Agency Thereof. When an appeal is taken by the

Tribe, or an officer or agency of the Tribe, and the operation or enforcement of the

judgment is stayed, no bond, obligation, or other security shall be required from the

appellant.

f) Power of Appellate Court Not Limited. The provisions in this rule do not limit any

power of an appellate court or of a judge or justice thereof to stay proceedings

during the pendency of an appeal or to suspend, modify, restore, or grant an

injunction during the pendency of an appeal or to make any order appropriate to

preserve the status quo or the effectiveness of the judgment subsequently to be

entered.

g) Stay of Judgment upon Multiple Claims. When a court has ordered a final

judgment on some but not all of the claims presented in the action under the

conditions stated in Rule 25, the court may stay enforcement of that judgment until

the entering of a subsequent judgment or judgments and may prescribe such

conditions as are necessary to secure the benefit thereof to the party in whose favor

the judgment is entered.

h) Waiver of Undertaking. In all cases, the parties may, by written stipulation, waive

the requirements of this rule with respect to the filing of a bond or undertaking. In all

cases where an undertaking is required by these rules a deposit in court in the

amount of such undertaking, or such lesser amount as the court may order, is

equivalent to the filing of the undertaking.

Rule 33. DISABILITY OR DISQUALIFICATION OF A JUDGE.

a) Disability. If by reason of death, sickness, or other disability, a judge before whom

an action has been tried is unable to perform the duties to be performed by the court

under these rules after a verdict is returned or findings of fact and conclusions of law

are filed, then any other judge regularly sitting in or assigned to the court may

perform those duties; but if such other judge is satisfied that he cannot perform

those duties because he did not preside at the trial or for any other reason, he may

in his discretion grant a new trial.

b) Disqualification. Whenever a party to any action or proceedings, civil or criminal,

or his attorney shall make and file an affidavit that the judge before whom such

action or proceeding is to be tried or hear has a bias or prejudice, either against such

party or his attorney or in favor of any opposite party to the suit, such judge shall

proceed no further therein, except to call in another judge to hear and determine the

matter.

Every such affidavit shall state the facts and the reasons for the belief that such bias

or prejudice exists, and shall be filed as soon as practicable after the case has been

assigned or such bias or prejudice is known. If the judge against whom the affidavit

is directed questions the sufficiency of the affidavit, he shall enter an order directing

that a copy thereof be forthwith certified to another judge (naming him), which

judge shall then pass upon the legal sufficiency of the affidavit. If the judge against

whom the affidavit is directed does not question the legal sufficiency of the affidavit,

or if the judge to whom the affidavit is certified finds that it is legally sufficient,

another judge must be called in to try the case or determine the matter in question.

No party shall be entitled in any case to file more than one affidavit; and no such

affidavit shall be filed unless accompanied by a certificate of counsel of record that

such affidavit and application are made in good faith.

Rule 34. INJUNCTIONS.

a) Preliminary Injunction; Notices. No preliminary injunction shall be issue without

notice to the adverse party.

b) Temporary Restraining Order; Notice; Rehearing; Duration. No temporary

restraining order shall be granted without notice to the adverse party unless it clearly

appears from specific facts shown by affidavit or by the verified complaint that

immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to the applicant before

notice can be served and a hearing had thereon. Every temporary restraining order

granted without notice shall be endorsed with the date and hour of issuance; and

shall be filed forthwith in the clerk's office and entered of record; shall define the

injury and state why it is irreparable and why the order was granted without notice;

and shall expire by its terms within such time after entry, not to exceed 15 days, as

the court fixes, unless within the time so fixed the order, for good cause shown, is

extended for a like period or unless the party against whom the order is directed

consents that it may be extended for a longer period. The reasons for the extension

shall be entered of record. In case a temporary restraining order is granted without

notice, the motion for a preliminary injunction shall be set down for hearing at the

earliest possible time and takes precedence of all matters except older matter of the

same character; and when the motion comes on for hearing the party who obtained

the temporary restraining order shall proceed with the application for a preliminary

injunction and, if he does not do so, the court shall dissolve the temporary

restraining order. On 2 days notice to the party who obtained the temporary

restraining order without notice or on such shorter notice to that party as the court

may prescribe, the adverse party nay appear and move its dissolution or

modification and in that event the court shall proceed to hear and determine such

motion as expeditiously as the ends of justice require.

c) Security. Except as otherwise provided by law, no restraining order or preliminary

injunction shall issue except upon the giving of security by the applicant, in such sum

as the court deems proper, for the payment of such costs and damages as may be

incurred or suffered by any party who is found to have been wrongfully enjoined or

restrained. No such security shall be required of the United Stated, the Hopi Tribe, or

of an officer, or agency, of either; nor shall it be required of a married person in a

suit against the other party to the marriage contract.

A surety upon a bond or undertaking under this rule submits himself to the

jurisdiction of the court and irrevocably appoints the clerk of the court as his agent

upon whom any papers affecting his liability on the bond or undertaking may be

served. His liability on the bond or undertaking may be served. His liability may be

enforced on motion without the necessity of an independent action. The motion and

such notice of the motion as the court prescribes may be served on the clerk of the

court who shall forthwith mail copies to the persons giving the security if their

addresses are known.

d) Form and Scope of Injunction or Restraining Order; Service. Every order granting

an injunction and every restraining order shall be specific in terms; shall describe in

reasonable detail, and not by reference to the complaint or other document, the act

or acts sought to be restrained; and is binding only upon the parties to the action,

their officers, agents, servants, employees, and attorneys, and upon those persons

in active concert or participation with them who receive actual notice of the order by

personal service or otherwise.

e) Grounds for Injunction. An injunction may be granted:

1) When it appears by the pleadings on file that a party is entitled to the relief

demanded, and such relief, or any part thereof, consists in restraining the

commission or continuance of some act complained of, either for a limited

period or perpetually;

2) When it appears from the pleadings or by affidavit that the commission or

continuance of some act during the litigation would produce great or

irreparable injury to the party seeking injunctive relief;

3) When it appears during the litigation that either party is doing or

threatens, or is about to do, or is procuring or suffering to be done, some act

of violation of the rights of another party respecting the subject matter of the

action, and tending to render the judgment ineffectual.

4) In all other cases where an injunction would be proper in equity.

Rule 35. EXTRAORDINARY WRITS.

a) Grounds for Relief. Where no other plain, speedy and adequate remedy exists,

relief may be obtained by obtaining an extraordinary writ that may be granted for

any one of the following grounds:

1) Where any person usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or

exercises a public office or does or permits to be done any act which

by law works a forfeiture of his office; or

2) Where an inferior tribunal, board or officer exercising judicial

functions has exceeded its jurisdiction or abused its discretion; or

3) Where the relief sought is to compel any inferior tribunal, board or

person to perform an act which the law specially enjoins as a duty

resulting from an office, trust or station; or to compel the admission of

a party to the use and enjoyment of a right or office to which he is

entitled and from which he is lawfully excluded by such inferior

tribunal, board or person; or

4) Where the relief sought is to arrest the proceedings of any tribunal,

board or person, whether exercising functions judicial or ministerial,

when such proceedings are without or in excess of the jurisdiction of

such tribunal, board, or person.

b) Habeas Corpus. Appropriate relief by habeas corpus proceedings shall be granted

whenever it appears to the court that any person is unjustly imprisoned or otherwise

restrained of his liberty. Upon the filing of the complaint the court shall, unless it

appears from such complaint or the showing of the plaintiff that he is not entitled to

any relief, issue a writ directed to the defendant commanding him to bring the

person alleged to be restrained before the court at a time and place therein

specified, at which time the Court shall proceed in a summary manner to hear the

matter and render judgment accordingly. If the writ is not issued, the court shall

state its reasons in writing and file the same with the complaint, and shall deliver a

copy thereof to the plaintiff. If the defendant cannot be found, or if he does not have

such person in custody, the writ (and any other process issued) may be served upon

any one having such person in custody, in the manner and with the same effect as if

he had been made defendant. in the action.

The defendant shall appear at the proper time and place with the person designated

or show good cause for not doing so and must answer the complaint within the time

allowed. The answer must state plainly and unequivocally whether he then has, or at

any time has had the person designated under this control and restraint, and if so,

the cause thereof. If such person has been transferred, the defendant must state

that fact, and to whom, when the transfer was made, and the reason or authority

therefor. The writ shall not be disobeyed for any defect of form or mis-description of

the person restrained or defendant, if enough is stated to show the meaning and

intent thereof.

The person restrained may waive his right to be present at the hearing, in which

case the writ shall be modified accordingly. Pending a determination of the matter

the court may place such person in the custody of such individual or individuals as

may be deemed proper.

c) Habeas Corpus; Decision. In each case, the court, upon determining the case,

shall enter specific findings of fact and conclusions of law and judgment, in writing,

and the same shall be made a part of the record in the case. If the court finds in

favor of the complainant, it shall enter an appropriate order with respect to judgment

or sentence in the former proceedings and such further orders with respect to

rearraignment, retrial, custody, bail, or discharge as the court may deem just and

proper in the case.

d) Habeas Corpus Availability. Except in cases of extraordinary injustice, habeas

corpus relief shall not be available to a person incarcerated as a result of a criminal

conviction where the alleged grounds for relief have been or could have been raised

by an appeal following the conviction.

Rule. 36. EXECUTION.

a) Time. If within 60 days after entry of a judgment awarding money damages

and/or costs against a party, or within 60 days after final resolution of an appeal to

the appellate court from such a judgment, it is made to appear to the court that the

judgment debtor has not paid the judgment amount in full or commenced making

installment payments in a manner agreed to by the parties, or is not current in such

payments, the Court shall upon motion of the judgment creditor heard ex parte,

order the Hopi Tribal Police to execute on the personal property of the judgment

debtor as provided herein.

b) Procedure. The court shall order the judgment debtor to appear before it and

answer under oath regarding all his personal property. The court shall then

determine what property of the judgment debtor is available for execution and order

the Hopi Tribal Police to seize as much of such property as reasonably appears

necessary to pay the judgment amount. Failure of the judgment debtor to appear

may be deemed a contempt of court and the court may proceed without such

appearance. Sale of the seized property shall be at public auction conducted by the

Hopi Tribal Police after giving at lest 10 days public notice posted in at least three

conspicuous places on the reservation. Property shall be sold to the highest bidder

who shall make payment for the property at the time of sale. The person conducting

the auction may postpone such in his discretion if there is inadequate response to

the action or the bidding, and may reschedule such upon giving the required notice.

c) Exemption From Execution. The Court shall only order seizure and sale of such

property of the judgment debtor to satisfy a money judgment the loss of which will

not impose an immediate substantial hardship on the immediate family of the

judgment debtor. Only property of the judgment debtor himself may be subject to

execution and not property of his family.

d) Redemption From Sale. At any time within 6 months after sale under this Rule,

the judgment debtor may redeem his property from the purchases thereof by paying

the amount such purchaser paid for the property plus 8 percent interest, plus any

expense actually incurred by the purchaser, such as taxes and insurance, to maintain

the property.

Rule 37. APPEAL.

a) Appellate Court. All appeals from the Hopi Trial Court shall be heard by the Hopi

Court of Appeals.

b) Right to Appeal. Any party who is aggrieved by any final order, commitment or

judgment of the trial court may appeal in the manner prescribed by this Rule.

c) Time; Notice of Appeal. Within 20 days from the entry of the order of judgment

appealed from the party taking the appeal must file with the trial court a written

notice of appeal specifying the parties to the appeal, the order or judgment appealed

from, and a short statement of the reason or grounds for the appeal. The clerk shall

file the notice and mail copies, to be provided by the appealing party, to all other

parties to the appeal at their last known address.

d) Parties. The party taking the appeal shall be referred to as the appellant; all other

parties shall be referred to as the respondent. The name of the case shall be the

same as that used in the trial court.

e) Bond on Appeal. At the time of filing the Notice of Appeal, the appellant shall also

file cash or a bond in an amount set by the trial court sufficient to guarantee

performance of the judgment if such performance is stayed on appeal plus, in any

event, sufficient to guarantee payment of such costs or interest as the appellate

court may award.

f) Stay Pending Appeal. In any case in which an appeal is perfected as required by

this Rule, the appellant may petition the trial court for an order staying the order,

commitment or judgment rendered conditioned upon execution of a bond to

guarantee performance of the judgment, order or commitment. A stay shall be

granted in all cases in which it is requested unless manifest injustice would result

therefrom.

g) Clerk. The Clerk or the trial court shall also serve as the Clerk of the appellate

court. Within 5 days after a Notice or Appeal is filed, the Clerk shall prepare, certify

and file with the appellate court all papers comprising the record of the case

appealed. A separate docket shall be maintained for the appellate court in which

shall be recorded each stage of the proceedings on each case appealed.

h) Subpoenas. The presiding judge of the appellate court shall, when hearing a case,

have authority by subpoena to compel a witness to attend and testify or compel the

production of documents where such is deemed necessary to the rendition of the

court's opinion. There shall not, however, be a new trial in the appellate court, and,

except in cases where the findings of fact of the trial court are clearly erroneous,

there will be no review of the factual findings of the trial court.

i) Briefs and Memoranda. Within 30 days of the filing of the Notice of Appeal or

within such longer time as the appellate court shall allow, the appellant shall file a

written brief, memorandum, or statement in support of his appeal. An original and

two copies shall be filed with the clerk and one additional copy shall be served upon

or mailed to each other party or his attorney. The respondent shall have 20 days

after receipt of the appellant's brief, memorandum or statement and shall file and

serve such in the same manner as the appellant's brief, memorandum, or statement.

No further response shall be allowed either party without leave of court.

j) Argument. The appellate court shall decide all cases upon the briefs, memoranda

and statements filed plus the record of the trial court without oral argument unless

either party requests oral argument and shows to the court that such will aid the

court's decision, or unless the court decides on its own motion to hear oral

argument.

k) Decision. The Appellate Court shall issue a written decision and all judgments on

appeal shall be final unless federal law or regulations provide further extra-Tribal

remedies.

Rule 38. CITATION.

These Rules shall be known as the Hopi Rules of Civil Procedure and may be

abbreviated H.R.C.P.

Rule 39. FEES.

The Chief Judge of the Trial Court, under recommendation of the Clerk of the Court,

shall, from time to time, set a schedule of fees. Under no circumstances may the fee

for an Order of Protection be more than ten dollars ($10). Thirty days prior to the

fee schedule is going into effect, the Chief Judge shall give notice to the Tribal

Council that a new schedule is going into effect and provide a copy of the schedule.