Effective August 1, 2009, the interest rate on judgments greater
than $50,000 entered in Minnesota courts will increase from 4
percent to 10 percent. Previously, the judgment interest
rate was adjusted annually pursuant to statute directing that the
rate be tied to the one-year constant maturity treasury yield
reported by the Federal Reserve, or 4 percent, whichever is
greater. For 2008 and 2009, the judgment interest rate has
been 4 percent. The apparent reason for the interest rate
increase to 10 percent for judgments over $50,000 is to
discourage appeals brought for purposes of delay by parties that
could earn interest in the marketplace higher than the judgment
rate during the appeal—effectively "buying
down" the value of the judgment. NOTE: the
interest rate on condemnation awards continues to be controlled by
the constitutional principle of "just compensation";
accordingly, a property owner securing a condemnation award
continues to have the right to request
