N.D.C.C. §§ 14-02.5-01 through 14-02.5-46 § 14-02.5-40
Court-appointed attorney.
Operative Text
14-02.5-40. Court-appointed attorney.
On application by a person alleging a discriminatory housing practice or by a person against
whom a discriminatory housing practice is alleged, the court may appoint an attorney for the
person.Section 14-02.5-40 of the North Dakota Century Code provides that a court has the discretion to appoint an attorney for either party in a discriminatory housing practice case — whether that party is the person claiming discrimination or the person accused of it. This provision applies once a matter is before the court and a party submits a formal application for appointed counsel. The rule does not guarantee representation; it leaves the decision to the court's judgment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.D.C.C. § 14-02.5-40, a property owner or manager named in a discriminatory housing practice proceeding may apply to the court for an appointed attorney if they lack representation. Operators involved in fair housing litigation should be aware that both sides of a case carry this right to apply, meaning a complainant may also receive court-appointed counsel. Keeping thorough records of housing decisions and policies is a practice that generally supports a well-documented defense in any such proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.D.C.C. § 14-02.5-40 gives individuals who allege a discriminatory housing practice the ability to ask the court to appoint an attorney on their behalf. This can be a meaningful option for those who face barriers to securing private legal representation in a fair housing case. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices in North Dakota can also help individuals understand the process for making such an application and identify other available resources.
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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