Calvert Cnty. Cir. Ct. Civil DCM Plan 2.2

(a) Tracks. Tracks define expected case processing events, the timing of events,

assignment, and the expectations for case duration. The caseflow time standard for Circuit Court

civil cases is 548 days for 98% of dispositions, except for foreclosure cases which is 24 months;

but expected case duration is based on time needed to reach resolution, which may be less than the

time standard. Track assignments are made by the Assignment Office.

(b) Expedited Trial Track. Actions shall be assigned to the expedited trial track when it

appears (i) that only minimal discovery, informally arranged by the parties is required, (ii) the

parties shall be prepared for trial in approximately six months, and (iii) only one or two days shall

be required for trial. A Scheduling Order, setting forth all appropriate dates and deadlines, shall

be issued by the Assignment Office. A Pretrial Conference may be waived, if the Court deems

appropriate.

(c) Standard Trial Track. An action shall be assigned to the standard trial track when it

appears that the need for trial preparation is approximately seven to nine months. At, or promptly

after the Scheduling Conference, or within 30 days of the filing of an Answer if no Scheduling

Conference is held, the Assignment Office shall issue a Scheduling Order that includes the dates

for completion of all discovery and other pretrial activity in sufficient time to provide for a

meaningful discussion at the follow-up Pretrial Conference. A follow-up Pretrial Conference may

be conducted between four to six weeks prior to trial, if deemed necessary.

(d) Complex Trial Track. An action shall be assigned to the complex trial track when it

appears that more than nine months shall be required for pretrial procedures or that the action is

otherwise of an unusual or complex nature. At, or promptly after the Scheduling Conference, or

if no Scheduling Conference is held, within 30 days of the filing of an Answer, the Assignment

Office shall issue a Scheduling Order that includes the dates for completion of all discovery and

other pretrial activity in sufficient time to provide for a meaningful discussion at the Pretrial

Conference, which shall be conducted approximately eight to 10 months after the Scheduling

Conference and is at least three months before trial. The schedule of events and their timing shall

be unique for each case and shall be set forth in a Scheduling Order.

(e) Foreclosure Cases. Foreclosure cases shall be assigned to their own specific track of

540 days.

Table 1.1 – Civil Tracks Case Types and Outcomes

Expected Case

Track Case Subtypes

Duration and Notes

Track 1 1. Confessed Judgments Answer + 150days =

Civil 2. Administrative Agency Appeals 180 days

Expedited 3. Mechanic’s Liens

4. Tax Sales

5. Certiorari Case types 1-9 do not

6. Contempt require a case

7. Habeas corpus information sheet to be

8. Name change filed with the

9. Maryland Automobile Insurance complaint or the

Fund answer.

10. Attachment Before Judgment

11. Declaratory Judgment (no Case types 10-21

discovery) require a case

12. District Court Appeals De Novo information sheet to be

13. District Court Jury Trial Prayers filed with the

14. Injunctions complaint and answer.

15. Mandamus

16. Name Change

17. Orphan’s Court Appeal (no CIF)

18. Restraining Orders

19. Tort (no discovery)

20. Contract (no discovery)

21. Forfeiture (money or vehicle)

Track 2 1. Condemnation Answer + 240 days =

Civil Standard 2. Contract (discovery) 270 days

3. Fraud and Misrepresentation

4. Intentional Tort (discovery) No maximum or

5. Motor Tort (discovery) minimum claim

6. Other Tort (discovery) amounts.

7. Personal Injury (discovery)

8. Worker's Compensation

9. (expedited)

10. Other Civil Cases (discovery)

Track 3 1. Medical Malpractice 520 days

Civil Complex 2. Legal Malpractice

3. Mass Tort

4. Lead Paint

5. Contract (major construction)

6. Major Product Liability

7. Toxic Tort Claims (designated)

8. Class Actions Suits or other

Complex Cases

Track 4 Foreclosure cases 540 days

Foreclosure

The following table illustrates the events and times required for expedited and standard civil case

processing tracks. Event sequence for complex cases is established for each case.

Table 1.2

Event/Track Expedited Standard

Complaint Filed Start Start

Scheduling Order 60 days 60 days

Amendments; additional parties added 150 days

Plaintiff’s Expert Reports n/a 165 days

Defendant’s Expert Reports n/a 175 days

Discovery Due 120 days 210 days

ADR/Mediation Complete n/a 210 days

Motions Filed (see also 2.3 (b) below) 120 days 210 days

Pretrial Conference 150 days (may be 220 days

waived)

Trial 180 days 270 days

Table 1.3

The following table illustrates the event and time requirements for foreclosure cases:

Event

Order to Docket Suit and other initiating pleadings Start

Certification of Publication of Sale 365 days

Sale 425 days

Report of Sale 435 days

Final Order of Ratification 445 days

Auditor’s Report 505 days

Ratification of Auditor’s Report 540 days