Queen Anne's Cnty. Cir. Ct. Civil DCM Plan (introduction)

This Civil Non-Domestic DCM Plan is established in accordance with Md. Rule 16-

302(b)(1)(A) which requires the County Administrative Judge to develop and, upon approval by

the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, implement and monitor a case

management plan for the prompt and efficient scheduling and disposition of action in the Circuit

Court. The plan shall include a system of differentiated case management in which actions are

classified according to complexity and priority. This plan serves as a guide to the management of

cases in Queen Anne’s County and is a product of the collaborative effort of the county

administrative judge, court administrator, and clerk of the circuit court. The provisions set forth

in this plan are intended to serve as a general guide for the processing of cases which come

before the Circuit Court for Queen Anne’s County. The provisions are not intended to be rigid,

given that circumstances related to any particular case may require flexibility to ensure fairness

and efficiency. Further, the Civil DCM Plan is prepared within the confines of case time

standards. The Plan does not purport to override any requirements of the Md. Rules or the

Annotated Code of Maryland.

The purpose of a DCM Plan is to provide just and efficient resolution of cases. The court,

not the lawyers or litigants, must control the pace of litigation. A strong judicial commitment is

essential to reducing delay and once achieved, maintaining a current docket. (Standard 250, ABA

Standards Relating to Court Delay Reduction). An effective case management system should

assure: equal treatment of all litigants by the court; timely disposition consistent with the

circumstances of the individual case; enhancement of the quality of the litigation process; and

public confidence in the court as an institution.