Local Rule Rule 501: Assignment of Cases
D. Md. — General rule
RULE 501. ASSIGNMENT OF CASES
1. In General
This Rule governs the assignment of cases to judges of the Court and among the two (2) divisions of the Court. It is a rule of administrative convenience, and it is not intended to, nor does it, confer any rights upon any litigant. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Rule, the Court may assign a case to a judge in a division other than the one specified in this Rule.
All cases will be assigned to one (1) of the judges of the Court. With the exception of cases referred to magistrate judges, all proceedings in a particular case will usually be held before the judge to whom that case is assigned.
2. Removals
A case removed from a state tribunal shall be assigned to one (1) of the judges sitting in the division of the Court in which the state tribunal is located.
3. Prisoner Cases
All district judges shall be assigned a pro-rata share of all (i) habeas corpus cases and (ii) civil rights cases filed by prisoners.
4. Other Civil Cases
Other civil cases shall be assigned in accordance with the provisions set forth in this paragraph, with priority accorded to the first provision that may be applicable. Any questions about a particular assignment shall be decided by the Court.
a) Cases Involving Government Agencies
i) A case in which a Maryland local government or agency is a party shall be assigned to a judge sitting in the division of the Court in which the principal office of the local government or agency is located.
ii) A case in which the United States, the State of Maryland, or one of their agencies and a non-governmental entity or individual residing in Maryland are opposing parties shall be assigned to a judge sitting in the division of the Court in which the non-governmental party resides.
b) Cases Involving Maryland Residents
i) A case in which all of the Maryland parties reside in the same division (a corporation's residence shall be its principal place of business in Maryland) shall be assigned to a judge sitting in that division.
ii) A case in which the Maryland parties reside in different divisions of the Court shall be assigned to a judge sitting in the division where a majority of the Maryland parties reside, but if there is not a majority resident in either division, then the case shall be assigned to a judge sitting in the division of the Court in which the events described in the Complaint took place.
iii) A class action shall be assigned to a judge sitting in the division of the Court where a majority of the named plaintiffs reside, but if there is not a majority resident in either division, then the case shall be assigned to a judge sitting in the division of the Court in which the events described in the Complaint took place.
c) Cases in Which No Party Resides in Maryland
A case in which no party is a resident of Maryland shall be assigned to a judge sitting in the division in which the events described in the Complaint took place.