Opinion ID: 1704286
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: ex parte order granting extension of time

Text: Ziebarth asserts that the court erred in refusing to strike as untimely the Bank's response to her motion to amend judgment. On April 12, 1993, a supplemental judgment was entered assessing costs and attorney's fees against Ziebarth for filing frivolous motions in this case. Ziebarth filed a motion to amend that supplemental judgment. Counsel for the Bank telephoned the trial court judge, requesting additional time to respond to Ziebarth's motion, and the judge orally granted a ten-day extension. Counsel for the Bank wrote a letter confirming that telephone conversation, but inadvertently failed to send a copy to Ziebarth. Ziebarth's motion to strike the Bank's return as untimely was denied by the trial court. Under NDRCivP 6(b)(1), the court has the discretion to enlarge time limits without notice if the request is made before expiration of the original period: (b) Enlargement. When by these rules or by a notice given thereunder or by order of court an act is required or allowed to be done at or within a specified time, the court for cause shown may at any time in its discretion (1) with or without motion or notice order the period enlarged if request therefor is made before the expiration of the period originally prescribed or as extended by a previous order.... Although it would have been far better to notify Ziebarth by a copy of the follow-up letter, the inadvertent failure to do so is not fatal. We conclude that the court did not abuse its discretion in denying Ziebarth's motion to strike the Bank's response.