All trials in civil actions shall proceed in the following order:
(a) 
Jury selection in those cases to be tried before a jury;
(b) 
An opening statement by the petitioner summarizing what he or she intends to prove and stating the burden of proof;
(c) 
An opening statement by the respondent summarizing what he or she intends to prove;
(d) 
The petitioner shall call witnesses and present other evidence to the court. The witnesses shall be subject to cross-examination by the other parties in the case. Following cross-examination the petitioner shall have a second opportunity to question the witnesses. When the petitioner has presented all his witnesses and evidence he shall inform the court that his case is compete;
(e) 
Following the completion of the petitioner’s case the respondent may move to dismiss the case. If in the opinion of the Judge, after resolving all the disputed pieces of evidence and testimony in favor of the petitioner and drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of the petitioner there is insufficient evidence to support the case, the case shall be dismissed;
(f) 
If the case is not dismissed, the respondent may call witnesses and present evidence. The witnesses shall be subject to cross-examination by all of the parties. The respondent shall then have a second opportunity to question the witnesses followed by a second opportunity for cross-examination by all other parties. Following the testimony of all witnesses and the introduction of all evidence by the respondent, the respondent shall inform the Court that his case is complete;
(g) 
The petitioner shall then have an opportunity to introduce additional evidence to rebut the evidence produced by the respondent;
(h) 
The respondent shall then have an opportunity to present additional evidence to rebut that presented by the petitioner;
(i) 
In the case of a jury trial the Court shall then instruct the jury about the law governing the case;
(j) 
The petitioner shall then make a closing argument to the jury or the judge, as the case may be. The respondent shall then have an opportunity to make his closing argument. The petitioner shall have an opportunity to rebut the arguments made by the defendant;
(k) 
The jury or the judge shall then deliberate upon the case and announce it’s verdict;
(l) 
Judgment shall be entered on the verdict in accordance with this Code.
(Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984)
A party may request that the case be tried before a jury. The request must be filed at least fourteen (14) days before the trial date and must be accompanied by a fee or other security in an amount reasonably calculated to cover the costs incurred by having a jury. Any excess shall be reimbursed at the conclusion of trial. The fee may be waived by the Court upon a showing of good cause.
(Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984)
The party asking for judgment shall have the burden of proving all elements of his or her case by the greater weight of the evidence.
(Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984)
All relevant evidence shall be admissible in civil proceedings, except when the Court finds that is prejudicial value outweighs its probative value or when inadmissible under Port Gamble S’Klallam law.
(Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984)
In deciding civil actions, the Community Court shall first look at the written laws, codes, ordinances and resolutions of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, which apply to the case. The Court may then look to Tribal custom and usage and in doing so, the Court may request the advice of persons familiar with Tribal custom and usage. The Court may then look to any other laws which may be applicable and may be guided by the law developed by other jurisdictions including other tribes.
(Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984)