N.D. Cent. Code § 32-18-06
When it shall be made to appear by affidavit of the vendee or purchaser, or the vendee's or purchaser's assigns, agent, or attorney, to the satisfaction of a judge of the district court of the county where the property is situated, that the vendee or purchaser, or the vendee's or purchaser's assigns, has a legal counterclaim or any other valid defense against the collection of the whole or any part of the amount claimed to be due on such contract, such judge, by an order to that effect, may enjoin the vendor or the vendor's successor in interest from the cancellation of such contract by notice and may direct that all further proceedings for the cancellation be had in the district court properly having jurisdiction of the subject matter, and, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions thereof, service may be made upon the vendor or the vendor's assigns or upon the vendor's attorney or agent.
N.D.C.C. § 32-18-06