More Civil Practice news More news in Maryland Find Civil Practice lawyers in Maryland
In a significant development for the legal community in Maryland, several new laws impacting civil practice and litigation procedures have come into effect as of September 28, 2025. The changes are aimed at streamlining the legal process, ensuring access to justice, and enhancing the efficiency of court proceedings.One of the key changes pertains to the time limits for filing certain civil actions. Under the new law, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases has been extended from three years to five years. This extension is expected to provide individuals with more time to file suit and seek compensation for injuries sustained due to the actions of others.Additionally, Maryland has introduced mandatory mediation for certain civil disputes. Parties involved in civil actions such as landlord-tenant disputes, contract disputes, and other non-criminal matters must now attempt to resolve their differences through mediation before proceeding to trial. This requirement is intended to reduce the burden on the court system and promote more amicable resolutions between parties.Another important change is the implementation of e-filing for all civil cases in Maryland. Attorneys and litigants are now required to file all court documents electronically, reducing the need for paper filings and simplifying the document management process. This shift towards electronic filing is expected to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve accessibility to court records.In addition to these procedural changes, Maryland has also increased the monetary threshold for cases heard in small claims court. The jurisdictional limit for small claims court has been raised from $5,000 to $10,000, allowing more individuals to resolve their disputes in a less formal setting and without the need for legal representation.Overall, these new laws are expected to have a profound impact on civil practice in Maryland, shaping the way cases are litigated, resolved, and managed in the state. Attorneys, judges, and litigants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure compliance and navigate the evolving legal landscape effectively.