PART V — JURISDICTION AND COMMENCEMENT
Rule 52. Proceedings within original jurisdiction supplied by law
No general original jurisdiction
The Court has original jurisdiction only when the Constitution or an active statute expressly supplies it. A generic Original Action portal category creates none.
Identified proceedings
Proceedings supplied by current law include:
This list does not foreclose a later law expressly supplying another original matter.
Pleading in another authorized original matter
A person invoking another source of original jurisdiction must file a petition for leave that:
quotes the jurisdictional grant;
identifies all parties and required service;
states the claim, material facts, and requested lawful relief;
explains why no lower tribunal has jurisdiction;
attaches essential evidence; and
satisfies the form for a civil complaint so far as applicable.
Response and preliminary decision
A response to leave is due seven days after service unless shortened. The Court may deny leave, request a response, accept the pleading, define issues, appoint a lawful fact finder, or transfer the matter if authorized.
Guidance from other rules
The Ridgeway Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of Evidence guide pleading, discovery, evidence, and trial in an original matter unless inconsistent with the Constitution, statute, these Rules, or a case-management order.
Fact finding
The Court may appoint a special master or direct lawful lower-court fact finding only if authorized. The appointment order must define authority, recordkeeping, review, compensation if any, and the parties’ opportunity to object.