Civil Division

Room 462 Courthouse East
Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday
Telephone: (410) 333-3722

The Civil Division, located in what is commonly known as ‘the old Post Office building’ is comprised of several departments including Appeals, Mortgage Foreclosures, Civil Records Department and the Civil Docketing Unit. Our goal is to provide service with integrity to the community and the Baltimore City circuit court.  Our division is committed to the processing and management of all civil non-domestic matters with integrity and timeliness.  Using the tabs below, you can explore the various operations of the Civil Division and Courts.

• Message from the Judge In-Charge
• Administration/Judges
• Business & Technology Case Management
• Differentiated Case Management System
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Scheduling Orders
• Civil Procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I obtain emergency relief?
   See emergency Injunction
   All motions for temporary restraining order pursuant to Maryland Rule 15-504 shall be processed as follows:
   • The motion, affidavits, exhibits, proposed order, and complaint (if applicable) should be filed with the Clerk of the Court, 462 Cummings Courthouse.
   • Two copies of these papers should be given to the Clerk to be date-stamped and to receive a case number (if it is a new action).
   • The copies should be delivered to Magistrate Sara Walsh, 232 Cummings Courthouse. Prior to filing, counsel should call Magistrate Walsh (410) 396-5006 to advise her office of the filing.
   • A copy of the papers should be delivered to the opposing party or counsel to effectuate notice.
   • If appropriate, Magistrate Walsh will arrange a tentative date and time for hearing. It is counsel’s responsibility to contact the opposing party or counsel for the opposing party to determine if the proposed date and time is agreeable to both parties. It may become necessary to change the date and time of the hearing.
   • The hearing will consist of a screening conference with oral argument in front of the Magistrate followed by a hearing before the Civil Motions Judge, if necessary.

   If a temporary restraining order is issued and a bond is imposed, the bond must be posted with the Clerk of the Court before counsel can receive a copy of the order.

2. How do I obtain a postponement or a modification of the Scheduling Order?
   See Schedule Modification Policy
3. How do I obtain a trial date?
   Contact the Differentiated Case Manager, who will check to see if a trial date has been scheduled or who will make arrangements for scheduling.

   Differentiated Case Manager
   111 N. Calvert Street
   Cummings Courthouse, Room 401
   Baltimore, MD 21202
   Telephone: (410) 396-3045
   Fax: (410) 333-1383

4. How do I find out where my hearing or trial is scheduled?
   Call:
   Civil Assignment Office: (410) 333-3755
   DCM Coordinator: (410) 396-3045
5. How do I make arrangements for audio-visual equipment in my trial?
   Some courtrooms are already equipped for audio-visual presentations. If the courtroom to which you are assigned does not have that equipment, private arrangements will have to be made subject to the approval of the particular judge. You must make arrangements at the start of the trial.
6. How do I have someone committed for psychiatric evaluations?
   During normal courthouse hours contact either the Clerk of the District Court at (410) 333-4765 or the Medical Office of the Circuit Court at (410) 396-5013 for information.

   After 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, contact the District Court Commissioner at 100 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 at (410) 396-2563 for information.

7. Is there e-filing available?
   E-filing is currently available only on the asbestos docket.
8. Can I make a request to the Court by a letter?
   As required by Md. Rule 2-311(a), all requests to the Court to take action should be by motion. There is no provision for the Court to act in response to a letter.
9. Can I walk a motion through?
   All motions must be filed in the Clerk’s office. If there is a need for prompt action, the Clerk will direct the party on how to proceed. Motions should not be delivered directly to the judge’s chambers.