The United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands was established by Act of Congress in 1977 and became operational in January, 1978. The court sits on the island of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, but may sit other places within the Commonwealth. The District Court has the same jurisdiction as all other United States District Courts, including diversity jurisdiction and bankruptcy jurisdiction. Appeals are taken to the Ninth Circuit.

Judges of the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands are appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the United States Senate, to ten-year terms or until a successor is chosen and qualified. The first District Judge appointed was the Honorable Alfred Laureta, who served from 1978 until 1988. His successor, the Honorable Alex R. Munson, was nominated by President Ronald Reagan, and confirmed by the Senate in 1988. Judge Munson was nominated for a second ten-year term by President William J. Clinton and was confirmed by the Senate in 1998.

For further information about the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, please refer to 48 U.S.C. 1821 et seq.

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