Beginning July 18, a new case management system will be implemented in courts across Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties. The Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system will require attorneys to file civil and criminal cases electronically in District Court, Circuit Court, and any appellate filings originating from these counties.
Maryland attorneys have been utilizing electronic filing since October 2014 when MDEC was first introduced in Anne Arundel County. This expansion aims to transition the legal process from paper-based to technology-based systems.
Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, Mary Ellen Barbera stated, “We at the Maryland Judiciary are continuously focusing on improving our systems. MDEC is modernizing the way we manage our court records. This system is helping us eliminate our reliance on paper files, it’s improving the transfer of records as cases progress through the system, and it's making our courts more accessible to our litigants.”
With this implementation, paper filings from attorneys will no longer be accepted where MDEC has been launched. However, Maryland Rule 20-106(b) outlines exceptions for e-filing requirements. Nonpayment of rent cases filed under Maryland Code, Real Property Section 8-401 remain exempt from mandatory electronic filing until further notice.
To prepare for MDEC's launch on the Upper Eastern Shore, informational events have been scheduled by the Judiciary to assist attorneys with learning about the new system and registration procedures for e-filing.
Further details about MDEC and e-filing registration can be found on the Judiciary website. Attorneys who are registered can also sign up for webinars and training sessions.