The Circuit Court for
Baltimore City is a court of general original jurisdiction. Its
authority encompasses all civil actions except those which the
Maryland legislature has specifically allocated to other courts.
The goal of the Civil Division is to process cases efficiently and
provide an orderly forum for the prompt resolution of disputes.
The Civil Division of the Court processes and manages all civil
non-domestic matters within the Court’s jurisdiction. It employs a
differentiated case management system for the processing and tracking
of all cases. A scheduling order, which establishes relevant
procedural milestones and deadlines and pre-trial conference and trial
dates, is generated for all cases that are expected to proceed to
trial.
Several alternative dispute resolution programs are utilized by the
Court to provide opportunities for the resolution of cases prior to
trial. Mandatory settlement conferences are generally scheduled before
either a judge or volunteer settlement attorney at least thirty days
before trial. There is also a separate Court Mediation Program for
professional malpractice, business/commercial, contract, workers’
compensation, employment, environmental and insurance cases. The
mediation sessions are facilitated by mediators, who have met the
requirements of Maryland Rule 17-107 and have been approved by the
Court. Mediators may charge an hourly rate as set by the Court. Two
hours of mediation are court ordered. By agreement, parties may choose
any other individual to mediate the dispute if the name, address and
telephone number of the individual is filed with the Clerk of Court
within thirty days of the scheduling order.
