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RULE 3-131. APPEARANCE

West's Annotated Code of MarylandMaryland RulesEffective: March 16, 2020

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Maryland Rules
Title 3. Civil Procedure--District Court
Chapter 100. Commencement of Action and Process
Effective: March 16, 2020
MD Rules, Rule 3-131
RULE 3-131. APPEARANCE
(a) By an Attorney or in Proper Person. Except as otherwise provided by rule or statute: (1) an individual may enter an appearance by an attorney or in proper person and (2) a person other than an individual may enter an appearance only by an attorney.
(b) Limited Appearance.
(1) Notice of Appearance. An attorney, acting pursuant to an agreement with a client for limited representation that complies with Rule 19-301.2 (c) of the Maryland Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct, may enter an appearance limited to participation in a discrete matter or judicial proceeding. The notice of appearance (A) shall be accompanied by an Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation substantially in the form specified in subsection (b)(2) of this Rule and signed by the client, and (B) shall specify the scope of the limited appearance, which (i) shall not exceed the scope set forth in the Acknowledgment but (ii) unless otherwise ordered by the court, shall include the performance of any procedural task required by law to achieve the objective of the appearance.
(2) Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation. The Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation shall be substantially in the following form:
[CAPTION]
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SCOPE OF LIMITED REPRESENTATION
Client:
 
Attorney:
 
I have entered into a written agreement with the above-named attorney. I understand that the attorney will represent me for the following limited purposes (check all that apply):
Empty Checkbox​ Arguing the following motion or motions:
 
.
Empty Checkbox​ Attending a pretrial conference.
Empty Checkbox​ Attending a settlement conference.
Empty Checkbox​ Attending the following court-ordered mediation for purposes of advising the client during the proceeding:
 
 
.
Empty Checkbox​ Acting as my attorney for the following hearing or trial:
 
 
.
Empty Checkbox​ With leave of court, acting as my attorney with regard to the following specific issue or a specific portion of a trial or hearing:
 
 
.
I understand that except for the legal services specified above, I am fully responsible for handling my case, including complying with court Rules and deadlines. I understand further that during the course of the limited representation, the court may discontinue sending court notices to me and may send all court notices only to my limited representation attorney. If the court discontinues sending notices to me, I understand that although my limited representation attorney is responsible for forwarding to me court notices pertaining to matters outside the scope of the limited representation, I remain responsible for keeping informed about my case.
 
 
Client
 
 
Signature
 
 
Date
Cross reference: See Maryland Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 19-301.2, Comment 8. For striking of an attorney's limited appearance, see Rule 3-132 (a).
(c) How Entered. Except as otherwise provided in section (b) of this Rule, an appearance may be entered by filing a pleading, motion, or notice of intention to defend or, by filing a written notice of appearance.
(d) Effect. The entry of an appearance is not a waiver of the right to assert any defense in accordance with these rules. Special appearances are abolished.
Cross reference: Rules 1-311, 1-312, 1-313; Rules 19-214 and 19-215 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar. See also Rule 1-202 (u) for the definition of “person”, and Code, Business Occupations and Professions Article, § 10-206 (b)(1), (2), and (4) for certain exceptions applicable in the District Court.
Source: This Rule is in part derived from former Rule 124 and in part new.

Credits

[Adopted April 6, 1984, eff. July 1, 1984. Amended Nov. 9, 1994, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Jan. 20, 1999, eff. July 1, 1999; Feb. 10, 2009, eff. May 1, 2009; June 7, 2011, eff. July 1, 2011; March 2, 2015, eff. July 1, 2015; Dec. 7, 2015, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; June 6, 2016, eff. July 1, 2016; Dec. 13, 2016, eff. Apr. 1, 2017; March 16, 2020.]
MD Rules, Rule 3-131, MD R RCP DIST CT Rule 3-131
Current with amendments received through February 1, 2024. Some sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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