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Article II. Starting a Civil Case
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A. Any person may file a lawsuit in Tribal Court by filing a written and signed petition with the Court Clerk and paying the applicable filing fee.

1. Party 1 may request a waiver of filing fees by submitting a written request at the time of filing his petition. Upon receipt of a request, the Court Clerk shall immediately deliver the petition and request to the Court for review. The Court may, in its discretion, approve the request upon finding good cause.

2. If filing electronically, the filing party must include the filing fee with the hard copy of his petition.

B. The petition must include, but is not limited to, the following information:

1. The name of the person filing the petition, Party 1, and the name of the person or people who have violated a tribal law, Party 2.

2. The nature of the alleged violation, including the date, time, place, and persons involved and/or who may have knowledge pertinent to the alleged violation. The petition must clearly state the provisions of the tribal law violated.

3. Documents that support the complaint, and for any other persons involved or witnesses, contact information for those persons.

4. Party 2’s address and contact information, or if unknown, the last known address.

5. The relief requested, meaning the desired outcome of the civil matter.

6. All pleadings must contain the signature of the party filing the pleading or his or her attorney or advocate of record. The signatures must be part of a sworn statement attesting to the truthfulness of the pleading or a declaration made under penalty of perjury.

C. The Court Clerk may assist parties in putting their petitions in writing by supplying necessary forms. (Res. 2021-43; Res. 2020-60)