Senate Bill 2169 Summary

• Creates Chapter 28-20.3 of the North Dakota Century Code to establish uniform procedures for recognizing foreign-country money judgments in state courts.

• North Dakota courts shall recognize foreign-country judgments that grant or deny recovery of money and are final and enforceable under foreign law, except for tax judgments, penalties, and domestic relations matters.

• Courts may refuse recognition if the foreign judicial system lacks due process protections, the defendant lacked proper notice, or the judgment conflicts with North Dakota or U.S. public policy.

• Establishes bases for personal jurisdiction over defendants, including personal service in the foreign country, voluntary appearance, prior agreement to jurisdiction, domicile in the foreign country, and business operations there.

• Actions to recognize foreign-country judgments must be filed within 15 years of the judgment becoming effective or within the timeframe the judgment remains effective in the foreign country, whichever is earlier.

• Repeals Chapter 28-20.2 relating to the prior foreign money judgments statute.