Rule 70.Judgment for Specific Acts—Vesting Title.

Last verified July 6, 2026

In one sentenceRule 70 lets the court have someone else perform an act a disobedient party was ordered to do — like signing a deed — at that party's expense, or enter a judgment that transfers title directly instead.

Full Text of Rule 70

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If a judgment directs a party to execute a conveyance of land or to deliver deeds or other documents or to perform any other specific act and the party fails to comply within the time specified, the court may direct the act to be done at the cost of the disobedient party by some other person appointed by the court and the act when so done has like effect as if done by the party. On application of the party entitled to performance, the clerk shall issue a writ of attachment or sequestration against the property of the disobedient party to compel obedience to the judgment. The court may also in proper cases adjudge the party in contempt. If real or personal property is within the state, the court in lieu of directing a conveyance thereof may enter a judgment divesting the title of any party and vesting it in others and such judgment has the effect of a conveyance executed in due form of law. When any order or judgment is for the delivery of possession, the party in whose favor it is entered is entitled to a writ of execution or assistance upon application to the clerk.

End

Amendment History

(Adopted by SCO 5 October 9, 1959)

Plain-English Summary

If a judgment directs a party to execute a conveyance, deliver documents, or perform some other specific act, and the party doesn't comply within the time set, the court can have the act done by someone else it appoints, at the disobedient party's cost, and the result counts as if the original party had done it. The party entitled to performance can also get a writ of attachment or sequestration against the disobedient party's property to compel compliance, and the court can hold that party in contempt. When the property is within Alaska, the court can skip the conveyance altogether and enter a judgment that divests title from one party and vests it in another, which has the same effect as a formally executed deed. A judgment for delivery of possession entitles the party who won it to a writ of execution or assistance on request to the clerk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the losing party refuses to sign a deed the judgment requires?

The court can appoint someone else to sign it at the disobedient party's expense, and that signature has the same legal effect as if the original party had signed.

Can a judgment transfer title without anyone signing anything?

Yes, for property within Alaska — the court can enter a judgment that directly divests title from one party and vests it in another, which operates like a properly executed conveyance.

What if a party ignores a judgment ordering them to do something?

Beyond having someone else perform the act at that party's cost, the court can issue a writ of attachment or sequestration against that party's property, or hold the party in contempt.

Source & verification. The rule text, Amendment History, and Notes are reproduced verbatim from the official Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure (Alaska R. Civ. P. 70). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Alaska (Alaska Const. art. IV, § 15). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 6, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: judgment for specific acts Alaska rulevesting title by judgment AlaskaAlaska R. Civ. P. 70