Unless otherwise authorized by rules of the supreme court, records of the small claims court consist of all documents filed in each action and an index for plaintiffs and defendants. Unless otherwise directed by rules of the supreme court, after the judgment is satisfied or becomes ten years old, the court may destroy all papers filed in the case, except the judgment. At the time of destroying the papers, the clerk of court shall make a record upon the judgment identifying the papers destroyed and the dates the papers were filed.
27-08.1-08. Referees of small claims court - Appointment - Term - Method of qualifying - Powers and duties - Compensation. The presiding judge of the judicial district may appoint a referee of the small claims court who shall hold office at the pleasure of the judge. The referee shall qualify in the same manner as other civil officers, except that the referee need not be a qualified elector of the county, and the duties and powers of the referee in the conduct of trials in the small claims court are governed by the provisions of rule 53(c) of the North Dakota Rules of Civil Procedure insofar as those provisions are not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter. The referee appointed must be a person versed in the law. The presiding judge shall determine the salary or fee of the referee, within the limits of legislative appropriations.