N.D.C.C. §§ 14-02.5-01 through 14-02.5-46 § 14-02.5-29
Pending civil trial.
Operative Text
14-02.5-29. Pending civil trial.
The department may not issue a charge alleging a discriminatory housing practice after the
beginning of the trial of a civil action commenced by the aggrieved party under federal or state
law seeking relief with respect to that discriminatory housing practice.Section 14-02.5-29 of the North Dakota Century Code establishes a jurisdictional boundary between administrative and civil court proceedings in fair housing matters. Once an aggrieved party has taken a discriminatory housing practice claim to trial in a civil court—whether under federal or state law—the state Department of Labor and Human Rights loses the authority to issue a formal administrative charge covering that same practice. This rule prevents the same housing discrimination claim from being pursued simultaneously through both an administrative agency charge and a civil trial.
Plain English — not legal advice.
For property owners and managers facing a fair housing complaint, § 14-02.5-29 means that the procedural posture of any related civil litigation directly affects whether the department can issue an administrative charge. Compliant operators generally track whether an aggrieved party has initiated civil litigation and whether that litigation has reached the trial stage, since that milestone cuts off the department's charging authority. Understanding this boundary can help operators and their counsel anticipate which forums may or may not be active in a given matter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 14-02.5-29, tenants and other aggrieved parties who choose to pursue a discriminatory housing practice claim by filing a civil lawsuit should be aware that once that case reaches trial, the state department can no longer issue an administrative charge for the same practice. This means the choice of forum and timing can affect which remedies and processes remain available. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help individuals understand the implications of choosing between administrative complaints and civil court actions in North Dakota fair housing matters.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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