Court Orders and Information

Court Orders

Maryland

UPDATED 5/18/2020:

Court of Appeals Rescheduling May Oral Arguments and Postponing Other Oral Arguments.

UPDATED 4/28/2020:

Circuit Court for Baltimore City order allowing for pleadings to be filed with electronic signatures. See Administrative Order 2020-08, from Judge Audrey J.S. Carrión, Administrative Judge.
Court of Appeals 4/24/2020 Amended Administrative Order Clarifying the Emergency Tolling of Suspension of Statutes of Limitations and Statutory and Rules Deadlines Related to the Initiation of Matters and Certain Statutory and Rules Deadlines in Pending Matters.
Montgomery County Circuit Court Virtual Drop Box procedure.

UPDATED 4/15/2020:

Court of Appeals Second Amended Administrative Order Expanding and Extending Statewide Judiciary Restricted Operations Due to the COVID-19 Emergency. This order extends the court’s earlier order through June 5, 2020.
Court of Appeals Guiding the Response of the Trial Courts of Maryland to the COVID-19 Emergency. The order reiterates the considerations already being used by this court in considering the status of individuals who are under arrest, being held in default of bond, or are incarcerated or imprisoned.

UPDATED 4/13/2020:

District Court Standing Order 2020-07 supersedes and extends Standing Order 2020-05 to June 5, 2020 for all non-emergency proceedings, and extends all filing deadlines originally set to fall between March 16 and June 5 by 84 days.
District Court COVID-19 Pandemic Procedures Order regarding Discovery in Civil Cases. This order exempts the conduct of discovery in civil cases from the suspension of deadlines set forth in Standing Order 2020-07, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge, and provided the parties agree to continue and that the conduct of discovery does not involve conduct by counsel or the parties that would contravene public health orders or directives.

UPDATED 4/9/2020:

Amended Administrative Order Expanding Statewide Judiciary Restricted Operations Due To The Covid-19 Emergency
Amended Administrative Order On Emergency Tolling Or Suspension Of Statutes Of Limitations And Statutory And Rules Deadlines Related To The Initiation Of Matters And Certain Statutory And Rules Deadlines In Pending Matters

UPDATED 4/3/20: Chief Judge Barbera issued three Administrative Orders related to the Judiciary’s response to the COVID-19:

Administrative Order On Emergency Tolling Or Suspension Of Statutes Of Limitations And Statutory And Rules Deadlines Related To The Initiation Of Matters And Certain Statutory And Rules Deadlines In Pending Matters.
Administrative Order On Expanding The Statewide Suspension Of Jury Trials And Suspending Grand Juries.
Administrative Order Expanding Statewide Judiciary Restricted Operations Due To The COVID19 Emergency.

All Maryland Court Orders can be found at: https://mdcourts.gov/coronavirusorders.

Virginia

UPDATED 5/19/2020: Fairfax County Circuit Court Procedure for Rescheduling Cases Currently set on the May and June Civil Term Day Dockets. Due to the number of cases on the upcoming Civil Term Day Dockets as a result of COVID-19, the Court has established a procedure that allows counsel and/or pro se parties to request to have a new trial date rescheduled prior to their scheduled Term Day date. To view this notice in full, please click here.

UPDATED 5/19/2020: Fairfax County Circuit Court First Transition Plan. The Fairfax County Circuit Court has issued a First Transition plan, which was formulated after consideration of the input from many stakeholders and in consideration of our current emergency situation and concern for the safety of those who work in and visit the courthouse. To view the transition plan, please click here.

UPDATED 5/15/2020: Fairfax County GDC – Phased Reopening Begins May 18, 2020 with Civil Trials and Small Claims. Following consultation with the Fairfax County Department of Health and upon extensive study and discussion, the Fairfax County General District Court will open to a limited number of “non-emergency” cases beginning May 18, 2020.

UPDATED 5/11/2020: Fairfax Circuit Court Notice of Changes to Criminal Term Day. Criminal Term Day will take place on May 21, 2020 but, in an effort to comply with social distancing and CDC recommendations, the Fairfax County Circuit Court encourages the bar and the public to avoid personal appearances in the courthouse for this term day, as the docket currently has over 100 cases scheduled.

UPDATED 4/22/2020: Supreme Court of Virginia Third Order Extending Declaration of Judicial Emergency in Response to Covid-19 Emergency.

Additional information on the VA Court Orders can be found at: http://www.vacourts.gov/news/items/covid_19.pdf