Attorneys and legal professionals in Maryland can now register for educational sessions aimed at preparing them for the transition to electronic filing of court documents. This fall, Anne Arundel County will be the first jurisdiction to pilot the Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC), an electronic case management system.
Tara Glover, MDEC e-filing project manager, emphasized the importance of these sessions: “This is a great time for attorneys to become more familiar with MDEC and e-filing because, starting in mid-September, they will be able to register to e-file and thus be ready for Anne Arundel County’s launch of MDEC this fall.”
The statewide implementation of MDEC will occur over several years, with mandatory e-filing being introduced county by county. The system aims to streamline case management across all state courts by enabling electronic record processing and access as cases progress through various court levels.
Judge Paul A. Hackner from the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County highlighted the significance of this transition: “Going electronic with MDEC is a critical step to updating the Maryland Judiciary with the rest of the world and other state court systems, along with federal courts. MDEC generally will improve service to the public by helping to deliver justice more effectively and equitably.”
The Anne Arundel County Bar Association will host initial educational sessions in August. These are designed for attorneys, law firm staff, paralegals, and others involved in court filings. The sessions will cover an overview of MDEC, relevant rule changes, and a demonstration of e-filing procedures.
District Court Judge John P. McKenna expressed enthusiasm about replacing outdated systems: “When we launch this pilot system in Anne Arundel County, we will be working to replace our existing outdated system. We have been planning and preparing for this for a number of years.”
Robert Duckworth, Clerk of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County stated: “We are the first jurisdiction to have MDEC roll out.” He noted ongoing preparations including infrastructure upgrades necessary for electronic operations.
Anne Arundel County District Court Administrative Clerk Tami Chester remarked on the usefulness of these sessions: “I think these sessions will be a valuable resource for attorneys.”
Starting September 15th, attorneys can register online for e-filing as well as participate in webinars or view tutorial videos related to MDEC's implementation.
For further details on scheduling presentations or additional information about MDEC’s rollout plan visit www.mdcourts.gov/mdec or contact Tara Glover via email.