Maryland Court of Appeals also offers e-filing option in appeals from non-MDEC jurisdictions

By Steve Klepper (Twitter: @MDAppeal)

Following yesterday’s similar announcement by the Court of Special Appeals, the Maryland Court of Appeals today posted on its home page that MDEC filing will be optional in appeals originating in the three non-MDEC jurisdictions (Baltimore City, Montgomery County,  and Prince George’s County).

The Court of Appeals is not, however, offering filing by email, as the Court of Special Appeals is. This is not a surprise, because nearly all counsel appearing in the Court of Appeals are familiar with appellate MDEC filing.

The text of the notice is pasted below. I will try to update if there are updates, but you should make sure to review the home page for any updates before filing.

OPTIONAL METHODS FOR FILING PAPERS IN THE COURT OF APPEALS DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK

Updated March 16, 2020

Pursuant to Chief Judge Barbera’s March 13, 2020 Administrative Order, the Court of Appeals’ Clerk’s Office is closed to the public commencing March 16, 2020, but is continuing to operate pursuant to that Administrative Order.

To facilitate filing papers with the Court of Appeals for the duration of the closing for non-e-filers in MDEC cases and filers in appeals from non-MDEC jurisdictions, the Clerk is providing two alternative means of filing papers in the Court of Appeals: (1) e-filing through the MDEC system, or (2) drop box at the basement entrance of the Courts of Appeal building.

E-FILING

All attorneys and self-represented litigants who are or become registered users are permitted to file petitions for writ of certiorari, briefs, motions and other papers via the MDEC system in all appeals regardless of which circuit court the appeal comes from. This includes Baltimore City, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County. Please note that the paper copy requirement for e-filers is suspended for the duration of the closing. You will be required to submit paper copies of e-filed materials once the Clerk’s Office reopens to the public.

DROPBOX

The Court of Appeals has placed a drop box at the basement entrance of the Courts of Appeal building. All filings being delivered to the Court of Appeals in paper form must be placed in the drop box for filing. Filings placed in the drop box by 4:30 p.m. will be docketed as of the day they were placed in the drop box. In addition to the drop box, filers may continue to file via U.S. mail.

CONTACT US

The Court of Appeals’ Clerk’s Office can be reached by phone at (410) 260-1500.