’WPCQ `4ü}ł¦Ų%(p2,Q„¾Ķž[ē%Š= øuīm›¢åÖx„V‘ž(ļ¦ß¼ś»ø{©Œ(hÆT×ČŻāhŅ7]ĢJSĪÓTēÆ  +y ö²ø ÖöĀŠ7NImöÉĀ`#ēZ[č]I:q'—Ē4e¹aŪīZLĮ_®d„‡moß3¬a73<‹d}łNū&cĪ4„ĶÓĢ÷Ŗ4H’ƒ„Ż/ėńˆ 5ł0ķÜZ÷ü?Ń}–FŪy¬w]¶ŅGt l PcWi]cqU ģŽ’ŲZ€æŲī䖿ŚK ę%ķc4Č"±‘1ōq˜*Õó1 »ī˜Oč3š)ø‹£ś^–DĻ z”•‚ą_“šißŪ?‘“nF¬ā?ö·ß=<9 ļ †¹ķÕn÷|+(čyl»RŖ0īŪ FÓH†#Šź,łI“¬P…Ē)ŹVr<ń5)&’$pČ Ŗõ A^ė׎Āķ-c‰ōĖ§$¶‡µQ&gÅB%Ō"ŠU€öŖ¾ :iÓł©Ķp?Ä×O+«<«+ų“DÅrļ(+cĻ ō.ßƈkämĪķ^ŽY¢÷Łl;ŌxŹ”ģęķ¬ŲŚé•Ź-jšO/;ŗäNĪ'2Žsś‰³į6€mœ_e‚roŠźVŅ•ŚU#ĮīUNÆ %ż 0:^ =wI4Map mrU8‰bĮUFÉU8NGI˜HP LaserJet 5/5M PostScriptČŲŲŚŚŲČŲ0(ÖĆ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$””ŌUSUS.,ŌŒ–Ž2ā ˆŻ2ź:i¢×+003|x!’U‹’ĄĄĄ<4šŪ 9Z+‹ Courier New - ł-<4šŪ 9Z+‹.Courier New Regular<4šŪ 9Z+ Courier New  Ż ƒüœ!ŻŌUSUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŃX°ŃŌ€ Xģ‡XXXŌŃ€ ŃŃ8€żTXXdģdČ8ŃŃ  Ńą@ø ø ģąCOURT€OF€APPEALS€STANDING€COMMITTEEˆŠ ° Šą@ō ō ģąņņON€RULES€OF€PRACTICE€AND€PROCEDUREˆŠ †Ö ŠĢóóą0  ąŠ (#(# ŠĢÓÓą  ąMinutes€of€a€meeting€of€the€Rules€Committee€held€in€RoomŠ Ž. Š1100A€of€the€Peopleššs€Resource€Center,€100€Community€Place,Š Š Ś ŠŌ_ŌCrownsvilleŌ_Ō,€Maryland€on€May€20,€2005.Š 6 †  ŠÓÓĢą  ąMembers€present:Š ø  ŠĢLinda€M.€Ō_ŌSchuettŌ_Ō,€Esq.,€Vice€ChairŠ d“  ŠĢF.€Vernon€Boozer,€Esq.ą0 h ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąą0Ą(#Ą(#ąRobert€R.€Michael,€Esq.Š` (#(# ŠLowell€R.€Bowen,€Esq.ą0 h ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąą0Ą(#Ą(#ąHon.€John€L.€Norton,€IIIŠę6(#(# ŠHon.€James€W.€Drydeną0 h ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąą0Ą(#Ą(#ąAnne€C.€Ō_ŌOgletreeŌ_Ō,€Esq.Š¼ (#(# ŠHon.€Ellen€M.€Hellerą0 h ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąą0Ą(#Ą(#ąLarry€W.€Ō_ŌShipleyŌ_Ō,€Esq.Š’ā(#(# ŠŅ°ŅHon.€Joseph€H.€H.€Kaplaną0 h ąą0Ąh¾#h¾#ąą0Ą¾#Ą¾#ąHon.€William€B.€Ō_ŌSpellbringŌ_Ō,€Jr.Šhø¾#¾# ŠRobert€D.€Klein,€Esq.ą0 h ąą0Ąh¾#h¾#ąą0Ą¾#Ą¾#ąSen.€Norman€R.€Stone,€Jr.Š>Ž¾#¾# ŠJ.€Brooks€Leahy,€Esq.ą0 h ąą0Ąh¾#h¾#ąą0Ą¾#Ą¾#ąMelvin€J.€Sykes,€Esq.Šd¾#¾# ŠTimothy€F.€Ō_ŌMaloneyŌ_Ō,€Esq.ą0 h ąą0Ąh¾#h¾#ąą0Ą¾#Ą¾#ąDel.€Joseph€F.€Ō_ŌVallarioŌ_Ō,€Jr.Šź:¾#¾# ŠHon.€John€F.€Ō_ŌMcAuliffeŌ_ŌŠ Ą ŠĢĢą  ąIn€attendance:Š B’ ŠĢSandra€F.€Haines,€Esq.,€ReporterŠ ī> ŠŌ_ŌSherieŌ_Ō€B.€Libber,€Esq.,€Assistant€ReporterŠ Ä ŠAdam€Ō_ŌHadbezyŌ_Ō,€Maryland€State€Bar€AssociationŠ šź ŠRichard€Montgomery,€Director,€Legislative€Relations,€MarylandŠ pĄ  Š€€State€Bar€AssociationŠ F –! ŠHerbert€R.€Ō_ŌOššConorŌ_Ō,€III,€Esq.Š !l" ŠĢĢÓÓą  ąIn€the€Chairššs€absence,€the€Vice€Chair€convened€the€meeting.€€Š ž#ī% ŠShe€asked€if€there€were€any€additions€or€corrections€to€theŠ J%š ' Šminutes€of€the€January€7,€2005€and€February€11,€2005€meetings.€€Š ö&F") ŠThe€Reporter€replied€that€there€are€a€few€typographical€errors.€Š ¢(ņ#+ ŠThe€Committee€approved€the€minutes€as€presented,€subject€toŠ N*ž%- Šcorrecting€the€typographical€errors.Š ś+J'/ ŠŠ  ¦-ö(1 ŠŌ_ŌÓÓAgenda€Item€1.€€Consideration€of€proposed€amendments€to:€€Rule€Š ° Š€€17„101€(Applicability),€Rule€17„104€(Qualifications€andŠ †Ö Š€€Selection€of€Mediators),€and€Rule€17„109€(MediationŠ \¬ Š€€Confidentiality)Š 2‚ Š__________________________________________________________________Š X ŠĢĢÓÓą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€presented€Rules€17„101,€Applicability,€and€17„Š Š Ś Š104,€Qualifications€and€Selection€of€Mediators,€for€theŠ 6 †  ŠCommitteeššs€consideration.Š ā 2  ŠŅ` °ŅŅ` ŅÓÓĢą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ d“  ŠĢą@P P ģąTITLE€17€„€ALTERNATIVE€DISPUTE€RESOLUTIONˆŠ `  ŠĢą@  ģąCHAPTER€100€„€PROCEEDINGS€IN€CIRCUIT€COURTˆŠ ¼  ŠĢĢą ø ąAMEND€Rule€17„101€to€exclude€health€careŠ >Ž Šmalpractice€claims€with€a€certain€exceptionŠ d Šfrom€the€applicability€of€Title€17€and€to€addŠ ź: Ša€Committee€note€after€section€(a),€asŠ Ą Šfollows:Š –ę ŠĢĢRule€17-101.€€APPLICABILITY€Š h ŠĢĢ€€(a)€€GenerallyŠ šź ŠĢą ø ą€€ņņExcept€for€the€provisions€of€Rule€17„Š F –! Š104,óó€ņ ņTheó ó€ņņtheóó€rules€in€this€Chapter€ņ ņapply€onlyŠ !l" Što€civil€actions€in€a€circuit€court.€€TheŠ ņ!B# Šrules€in€this€Chapteró ó€do€not€apply€to€ņņhealthŠ Č"$ Šcare€malpractice€claims.€€The€Rules€in€thisŠ ž#ī% ŠChapter€also€do€not€apply€toóó€actions€orŠ t$Ä& Šorders€to€enforce€a€contractual€agreement€toŠ J%š ' Šsubmit€a€dispute€to€alternative€disputeŠ  &p!( Šresolution.€€ņņThe€rules€in€this€ChapterŠ ö&F") Šotherwise€apply€to€all€civil€actions€inŠ Ģ'#* Šcircuit€court.óó€Š ¢(ņ#+ ŠņņĢCommittee€note:€Alternative€disputeŠ N*ž%- Šresolution€proceedings€in€a€health€careŠ $+t&. Šmalpractice€claim€are€governed€by€Code,Š ś+J'/ ŠCourts€Article,€šš3„2A„06C.óóŠ Š, (0 ŠĢŠ  |.Ģ)2 Š€€(b)€€Rules€Governing€Qualifications€and€Š ° ŠSelectionŠ †Ö ŠĢą ø ą€€The€rules€governing€the€qualificationsŠ 2‚ Šand€selection€of€a€person€designated€toŠ X Šconduct€court-ordered€alternative€disputeŠ Ž. Šresolution€proceedings€apply€only€to€a€personŠ “  Šdesignated€by€the€court€in€the€absence€of€anŠ Š Ś Šagreement€by€the€parties.€€They€do€not€applyŠ ` ° Što€a€master,€examiner,€or€auditor€appointedŠ 6 †  Šunder€Rules€2-541,€2-542,€or€2-543.€€Š  \  ŠĢSource:€€This€Rule€is€new.Š ø  ŠĢĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` Ņą  ąRule€17„101€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterššsŠ :Š  ŠĢNote.Š ę6 ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą ø ąThe€Maryland€Patientsšš€Access€to€QualityŠ ’ā ŠHealth€Care€Act€of€2004€(HB€2)€contains€aŠ hø Šsection€providing€for€alternative€disputeŠ >Ž Šresolution€in€health€care€malpractice€claims.€Š d ŠTo€conform€the€new€statute€to€the€Title€17Š ź: ŠRules,€the€Subcommittee€recommends€modifyingŠ Ą Šsection€(a)€of€Rule€17„101€(1)€to€provideŠ –ę Šthat€Title€17,€Chapter€100€does€not€apply€toŠ l¼ Šhealth€care€malpractice€claims,€except€inŠ B’ ŠRule€17„104€and€(2)€to€add€a€Committee€noteŠ h Šreferring€to€the€new€statute.Š ī> ŠĢĢĢĢĢĢŌ‡ Xģ‡XX Xģ‡Ōą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ Č"$ ŠĢą@P P ģąTITLE€17€„€ALTERNATIVE€DISPUTE€RESOLUTIONˆŠ t$Ä& ŠĢą@  ģąCHAPTER€100€„€PROCEEDINGS€IN€CIRCUIT€COURTˆŠ  &p!( ŠĢĢą ø ąAMEND€Rule€17„104€by€deleting€languageŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šfrom€section€(c)€and€by€adding€a€new€sectionŠ x)Č$, Š(e)€and€cross€reference,€as€follows:Š N*ž%- ŠĢĢRule€17-104.€€QUALIFICATIONS€AND€SELECTION€OFŠ Š, (0 ŠMEDIATORS€Š ¦-ö(1 ŠŠ |.Ģ)2 Š‡€€(a)€€Qualifications€in€GeneralŠ ° ŠĢą ø ą€€To€be€designated€by€the€court€as€aŠ \¬ Šmediator,€other€than€by€agreement€of€theŠ 2‚ Šparties,€a€person€must:€€Š X ŠĢ€€€€(1)€unless€waived€by€the€court,€be€atŠ “  Šleast€21€years€old€and€have€at€least€aŠ Š Ś Šbachelor's€degree€from€an€accredited€collegeŠ ` ° Šor€university;€€Š 6 †  ŠĢCommittee€note:€€This€subsection€permits€aŠ ā 2  Šwaiver€because€the€quality€of€a€mediator'sŠ ø  Šskill€is€not€necessarily€measured€by€age€orŠ ŽŽ  Šformal€education.€€Š d“  ŠĢ€€€€(2)€have€completed€at€least€40€hours€ofŠ `  Šmediation€training€in€a€program€meeting€theŠ ę6 Šrequirements€of€Rule€17-106;€€Š ¼  ŠĢ€€€€(3)€complete€in€every€two-year€periodŠ hø Šeight€hours€of€continuing€mediation-relatedŠ >Ž Šeducation€in€one€or€more€of€the€topics€setŠ d Šforth€in€Rule€17-106;€€Š ź: ŠĢ€€€€(4)€abide€by€any€standards€adopted€by€theŠ –ę ŠCourt€of€Appeals;€€Š l¼ ŠĢ€€€€(5)€submit€to€periodic€monitoring€ofŠ h Šcourt-ordered€mediations€by€a€qualifiedŠ ī> Šmediator€designated€by€the€countyŠ Ä Šadministrative€judge;€and€€Š šź ŠĢ€€€€(6)€comply€with€procedures€andŠ F –! Šrequirements€prescribed€in€the€court's€caseŠ !l" Šmanagement€plan€filed€under€Rule€16-202€b.Š ņ!B# Šrelating€to€diligence,€quality€assurance,€andŠ Č"$ Ša€willingness€to€accept€a€reasonable€numberŠ ž#ī% Šof€referrals€on€a€reduced-fee€or€pro€bonoŠ t$Ä& Šbasis€upon€request€by€the€court.€€Š J%š ' ŠĢ€€(b)€€Additional€Qualifications€-€ChildŠ ö&F") ŠAccess€DisputesŠ Ģ'#* ŠĢą ø ą€€To€be€designated€by€the€court€as€aŠ x)Č$, Šmediator€with€respect€to€issues€concerningŠ N*ž%- Šchild€access,€the€person€must:€€Š $+t&. ŠĢ€€€€(1)€have€the€qualifications€prescribed€inŠ Š, (0 Šsection€(a)€of€this€Rule;€€Š ¦-ö(1 ŠŠ |.Ģ)2 Š€€€€(2)€have€completed€at€least€20€hours€ofŠ ° Štraining€in€a€family€mediation€trainingŠ †Ö Šprogram€meeting€the€requirements€of€RuleŠ \¬ Š17-106;€and€€Š 2‚ ŠĢ€€€€(3)€have€observed€or€co-mediated€at€leastŠ Ž. Šeight€hours€of€child€access€mediationŠ “  Šsessions€conducted€by€persons€approved€by€theŠ Š Ś Šcounty€administrative€judge,€in€addition€toŠ ` ° Šany€observations€during€the€training€program.€Š 6 †  ŠĢ€€(c)€€Additional€Qualifications€-€BusinessŠ ā 2  Šand€Technology€Case€Management€Program€CasesŠ ø  ŠĢą ø ą€€To€be€designated€by€the€court€as€aŠ d“  Šmediator€of€Business€and€Technology€ProgramŠ :Š  Šcases,€other€than€by€agreement€of€theŠ `  Šparties,€the€person€must:€€Š ę6 ŠĢ€€€€(1)€have€the€qualifications€prescribed€inŠ ’ā Šsection€(a)€of€this€Rule;€€Š hø ŠĢ€€€€(2)€within€the€two-year€period€precedingŠ d Šapplication€for€approval€pursuant€to€RuleŠ ź: Š17-107,€have€completed€as€a€mediator€at€leastŠ Ą Šfive€non-domestic€circuit€court€mediations€orŠ –ę Šfive€non-domestic€non-circuit€courtŠ l¼ Šmediations€of€comparable€complexity€(A)€atŠ B’ Šleast€two€of€which€are€among€the€types€ofŠ h Šcases€that€are€assigned€to€the€Business€andŠ ī> ŠTechnology€Case€Management€Program€or€(B)Š Ä Šhave€co-mediatedņ ņ,€on€a€non-paid€basis,ó ó€anŠ šź Šadditional€two€cases€from€the€Business€andŠ pĄ  ŠTechnology€Case€Management€Program€with€aŠ F –! Šmediator€already€approved€to€mediate€theseŠ !l" Šcases;€€Š ņ!B# ŠĢ€€€€(3)€agree€to€serve€as€co-mediator€with€atŠ ž#ī% Šleast€two€mediators€each€year€who€seek€toŠ t$Ä& Šmeet€the€requirements€of€subsection€(c)(2)(B)Š J%š ' Šof€this€Rule;€and€€Š  &p!( ŠĢ€€€€(4)€agree€to€complete€any€continuingŠ Ģ'#* Šeducation€training€required€by€the€CircuitŠ ¢(ņ#+ ŠAdministrative€Judge€or€that€judge'sŠ x)Č$, Šdesignee.€€Š N*ž%- ŠĢ€€(d)€€Additional€Qualifications€-€MaritalŠ ś+J'/ ŠProperty€IssuesŠ Š, (0 ŠĢą ø ą€€To€be€designated€by€the€court€as€aŠ |.Ģ)2 Šmediator€in€divorce€cases€with€maritalŠ ° Šproperty€issues,€the€person€must:€€Š †Ö ŠĢ€€€€(1)€have€the€qualifications€prescribed€inŠ 2‚ Šsection€(a)€of€this€Rule;€€Š X ŠĢ€€€€(2)€have€completed€at€least€20€hours€ofŠ “  Šskill-based€training€in€mediation€of€maritalŠ Š Ś Šproperty€issues;€and€€Š ` ° ŠĢ€€€€(3)€have€observed€or€co-mediated€at€leastŠ  \  Šeight€hours€of€divorce€mediation€sessionsŠ ā 2  Šinvolving€marital€property€issues€conductedŠ ø  Šby€persons€approved€by€the€countyŠ ŽŽ  Šadministrative€judge,€in€addition€to€anyŠ d“  Šobservations€during€the€training€program.Š :Š  ŠĢ€€ņņ(e)€€Additional€Qualifications€„€HealthŠ ę6 ŠCare€Malpractice€Claimsóó€Š ¼  ŠĢą ø ą€€ņņTo€be€designated€by€the€court€as€aŠ hø Šmediator€of€health€care€malpractice€claims,Š >Ž Šother€than€by€agreement€of€the€parties,€theŠ d Šperson€must:ó󀀩 ź: ŠĢ€€€€ņņ(1)€have€the€qualifications€prescribed€inŠ –ę Šsection€(a)€of€this€Rule;ó󀀩 l¼ ŠĢ€€€€ņņ(2)€have€completed€as€a€mediator€at€leastŠ h Šfive€non-domestic€circuit€court€mediations€orŠ ī> Šfive€non-domestic€non-circuit€courtŠ Ä Šmediations€of€comparable€complexity;óóŠ šź ŠĢ€€€€ņņ(3)€be€knowledgeable€about€health€careŠ F –! Šmalpractice€claims€because€of€experience,Š !l" Štraining,€or€education;€andóóŠ ņ!B# ŠĢ€€€€ņņ(4)€agree€to€complete€any€continuingŠ ž#ī% Šeducation€training€required€by€the€court.Š t$Ä& ŠĢCross€reference:€Code,€Courts€Article,€Š  &p!( Ššš3„2A„06C€(c).óóŠ ö&F") ŠĢSource:€€This€Rule€is€new.Š ¢(ņ#+ ŠĢĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` Ņą  ąRule€17„104€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterššsŠ $+t&. ŠĢNote.Š Š, (0 ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °ŅŠ  |.Ģ)2 Šą ø ąThe€Alternative€Dispute€ResolutionŠ ° ŠSubcommittee€recommends€deleting€the€wordsŠ †Ö Šš šon€a€non„paid€basisšš€from€subsection€(c)(2)Š \¬ Šof€Rule€17„104€because€this€requirement€isŠ 2‚ Štoo€restrictive.Š X ŠĢą ø ąThe€Subcommittee€also€recommends€addingŠ “  Ša€new€section€(e)€to€Rule€17„104€setting€outŠ Š Ś Šadditional€qualifications€for€mediators€inŠ ` ° Šhealth€care€malpractice€cases€to€conform€toŠ 6 †  Šthe€Maryland€Patientsšš€Access€to€QualityŠ  \  ŠHealth€Care€Act€of€2004€(HB€2).Š ā 2  ŠŌ#† Xģ‡XX Xģ‡#ŌĢĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` ŅÓÓą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€explained€that€the€Maryland€Patientsšš€AccessŠ d“  Što€Quality€Health€Care€Act€of€2004€contained€some€provisionsŠ `  Špertaining€to€Alternative€Dispute€Resolution€(ADR)€in€health€careŠ ¼  Šmalpractice€claims.€€Initially,€the€ADR€Subcommittee€consideredŠ hø Šamending€all€of€the€Title€17€Rules€that€are€affected€by€theŠ d Šstatute€to€conform€to€it.€€The€Subcommittee€decided€that€thisŠ Ą Šwould€make€the€Rules€unnecessarily€complicated.€€A€better€methodŠ l¼ Šof€conforming€the€Rules€is€to€exempt€health€care€malpracticeŠ h Šclaims€out€of€the€Rules€in€Title€17,€except€for€Rule€17„104,€andŠ Ä Šadd€to€Rule€17„104€a€new€section€pertaining€to€additionalŠ pĄ  Šqualifications€for€mediators€in€health€care€malpractice€claims.€€Š !l" ŠThe€proposed€new€language€mirrors€the€qualifications€forŠ Č"$ Šmediators€in€business€and€technology€case€management€programŠ t$Ä& Šcases.€€The€ADR€Subcommittee€deleted€the€language€š šon€a€non„paidŠ  &p!( Šbasisšš€from€subsection€(c)(2)€of€Rule€17„104,€because€the€co„Š Ģ'#* Šmediation€experience€is€equally€valuable€if€the€mediator€wasŠ x)Č$, Špaid.€€There€being€no€comments€on€the€proposed€amendments€toŠ $+t&. ŠRules€17„101€and€17„104,€the€Committee€approved€the€Rules€asŠ Š, (0 Špresented.Š |.Ģ)2 Šą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€presented€Rule€17„109,€Mediation€Confi„Š ° Šdentiality,€for€the€Committeeššs€consideration.€€€€Š \¬ ŠŅ` °ŅŅ` °ŅÓÓĢą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ Ž. ŠĢą@P P ģąTITLE€17€„€ALTERNATIVE€DISPUTE€RESOLUTIONˆŠ Š Ś ŠĢą@  ģąCHAPTER€100€„€PROCEEDINGS€IN€CIRCUIT€COURTˆŠ 6 †  ŠĢĢą ø ąAMEND€Rule€17„109€to€permit€a€certainŠ ø  Šdisclosure€pertaining€to€certain€allegationsŠ ŽŽ  Šof€fraud€or€duress,€as€follows:Š d“  ŠĢĢRule€17„109.€€MEDIATION€CONFIDENTIALITYŠ ę6 ŠĢ€€(a)€€MediatorŠ ’ā ŠĢą ø ą€€Except€as€provided€in€sections€(c)€andŠ >Ž Š(d)€of€this€Rule,€a€mediator€and€any€personŠ d Špresent€or€otherwise€participating€in€theŠ ź: Šmediation€at€the€request€of€the€mediatorŠ Ą Šshall€maintain€the€confidentiality€of€allŠ –ę Šmediation€communications€and€may€not€discloseŠ l¼ Šor€be€compelled€to€disclose€mediationŠ B’ Šcommunications€in€any€judicial,Š h Šadministrative,€or€other€proceeding.Š ī> ŠĢ€€(b)€€PartiesŠ šź ŠĢą ø ą€€Subject€to€the€provisions€of€sectionsŠ F –! Š(c)€and€(d)€of€this€Rule,€(1)€the€parties€mayŠ !l" Šenter€into€a€written€agreement€to€maintainŠ ņ!B# Šthe€confidentiality€of€all€mediationŠ Č"$ Šcommunications€and€to€require€any€personŠ ž#ī% Špresent€or€otherwise€participating€in€theŠ t$Ä& Šmediation€at€the€request€of€a€party€toŠ J%š ' Šmaintain€the€confidentiality€of€mediationŠ  &p!( Šcommunications€and€(2)€the€parties€and€anyŠ ö&F") Šperson€present€or€otherwise€participating€inŠ Ģ'#* Šthe€mediation€at€the€request€of€a€party€mayŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šnot€disclose€or€be€compelled€to€discloseŠ x)Č$, Šmediation€communications€in€any€judicial,Š N*ž%- Šadministrative,€or€other€proceeding.€€Š $+t&. ŠĢ€€(c)€€Signed€DocumentŠ Š, (0 ŠĢą ø ą€€A€document€signed€by€the€parties€thatŠ |.Ģ)2 Šreduces€to€writing€an€agreement€reached€byŠ ° Šthe€parties€as€a€result€of€mediation€is€notŠ †Ö Šconfidential,€unless€the€parties€agree€inŠ \¬ Šwriting€otherwise.€€Š 2‚ ŠĢCross€reference:€€See€Rule€9-205€(d)Š Ž. Šconcerning€the€submission€of€a€memorandum€ofŠ “  Šthe€points€of€agreement€to€the€court€in€aŠ Š Ś Šchild€access€case.€€Š ` ° ŠĢ€€(d)€€Permitted€DisclosuresŠ  \  ŠĢą ø ą€€In€addition€to€any€disclosuresŠ ø  Šrequired€by€law,€a€mediator€and€a€party€mayŠ ŽŽ  Šdisclose€or€report€mediation€communicationsŠ d“  Što€a€potential€victim€or€to€the€appropriateŠ :Š  Šauthorities€to€the€extent€that€they€believeŠ `  Šnecessary€to€help:€€Š ę6 ŠĢ€€€€(1)€prevent€serious€bodily€harm€or€death,Š ’ā Šņ ņoró 󀀩 hø ŠĢ€€€€(2)€assert€or€defend€against€allegationsŠ d Šof€mediator€misconduct€or€negligenceņ ņ.ó óņņ,€oróóŠ ź: ŠĢ€€€€ņņ(3)€assert€or€defend€against€a€claim€orŠ –ę Šdefense€that€because€of€fraud€or€duress€aŠ l¼ Šcontract€arising€out€of€a€mediation€should€beŠ B’ Šrescinded.óóŠ h ŠĢCross€reference:€€For€the€legal€requirementŠ Ä Što€report€suspected€acts€of€child€abuse,€seeŠ šź ŠCode,€Family€Law€Article,€šš5-705.€€Š pĄ  ŠĢ€€(e)€€Discovery;€Admissibility€ofŠ !l" ŠInformationŠ ņ!B# ŠĢą ø ą€€Mediation€communications€that€areŠ ž#ī% Šconfidential€under€this€Rule€are€privilegedŠ t$Ä& Šand€not€subject€to€discovery,€but€informationŠ J%š ' Šotherwise€admissible€or€subject€to€discoveryŠ  &p!( Šdoes€not€become€inadmissible€or€protectedŠ ö&F") Šfrom€disclosure€solely€by€reason€of€its€useŠ Ģ'#* Šin€mediation.€€Š ¢(ņ#+ ŠĢCommittee€note:€€A€neutral€expert€appointedŠ N*ž%- Špursuant€to€Rule€17„105.1€is€subject€to€theŠ $+t&. Šprovisions€of€sections€(a),€(b),€and€(e)€ofŠ ś+J'/ Šthis€Rule.Š Š, (0 ŠĢSource:€€This€Rule€is€new.Š |.Ģ)2 Š‡Ņ°` ŅŅ°` Ņą  ąRule€17„109€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterššsŠ ° ŠĢNote.Š \¬ ŠŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą ø ąAt€a€Court€conference€on€the€One€HundredŠ 2‚ ŠFifty„Second€Report€of€the€Rules€Committee,Š X Šthe€Hon.€Alan€M.€Wilner€requested€that€theŠ Ž. ŠRules€Committee€examine€the€issue€of€fraud€inŠ “  Šthe€mediation€and€consider€recommendingŠ Š Ś Šamendments€to€Rule€17„109€to€address€thatŠ ` ° Šissue.Š 6 †  ŠĢą ø ąThe€proposed€addition€of€new€subsectionŠ ā 2  Š(d)(3)€to€Rule€17„109€expands€upon€SubsectionŠ ø  Š6€(b)(2)€of€the€Uniform€Mediation€Act€(2001),Š ŽŽ  Šdrafted€by€the€National€Conference€ofŠ d“  ŠCommissioners€on€Uniform€State€Laws,€whichŠ :Š  Šreads€as€follows:Š `  ŠĢŅø ` ŅŅø ` ŅSection€6.€€Exceptions€toŠ ¼  ŠPrivilege.Š ’ā ŠĢ€€€.€.€.Š >Ž ŠĢ€€(b)€There€is€no€privilege€underŠ ź: ŠSection€4€if€a€court,€adminis„Š Ą Štrative€agency,€or€arbitratorŠ –ę Šfinds,€after€a€hearing€in€camera,Š l¼ Šthat€the€party€seeking€discovery€orŠ B’ Šthe€proponent€of€the€evidence€hasŠ h Šshown€that€the€evidence€is€notŠ ī> Šotherwise€available,€that€there€isŠ Ä Ša€need€for€the€evidence€thatŠ šź Šsubstantially€outweighs€theŠ pĄ  Šinterest€in€protectingŠ F –! Šconfidentiality,€and€that€theŠ !l" Šmediation€communication€is€soughtŠ ņ!B# Šor€offered€in:Š Č"$ ŠĢ€€€.€.€.Š t$Ä& ŠĢ€€€€(2)€except€as€otherwiseŠ  &p!( Šprovided€in€subsection€(c),€aŠ ö&F") Šproceeding€to€prove€a€claim€toŠ Ģ'#* Šrescind€or€reform€or€a€defense€toŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šavoid€liability€on€a€contractŠ x)Č$, Šarising€out€of€the€mediation.Š N*ž%- ŠĢ€€(c)€A€mediator€may€not€beŠ ś+J'/ Šcompelled€to€provide€evidence€of€aŠ Š, (0 Šmediation€communication€referred€toŠ ¦-ö(1 Šin€subsection€(a)(6)€or€(b)(2).Š |.Ģ)2 Š‡[ņ ņNOTEó ó:€Subsection€6€(a)(6)€to€whichŠ ° ŠSubsection€6€(c),€above,€refers,Š ”ä Šreads€as€follows:Š jŗ ŠĢ€€(a)€There€is€no€privilege€underŠ f ŠSection€4€for€a€mediationŠ ģ< Šcommunication€that€is:Š Ā  ŠĢ€€€.€.€.Š n ¾ ŠĢ€€€€(6)€except€as€otherwiseŠ  j  Šprovided€in€subsection€(c),€soughtŠ š @  Šor€offered€to€prove€or€disprove€aŠ Ę  Šclaim€or€complaint€of€professionalŠ œģ  Šmisconduct€or€malpractice€fieldŠ rĀ  Šagainst€a€mediation€party,€nonpartyŠ H˜  Šparticipant,€or€representative€of€aŠ n  Šparty€based€on€conduct€occurringŠ ōD Šduring€a€mediation€...]Š Ź ŠĢĢŅ°ø ŅŅ°ø ŅÓÓą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€stated€that€the€ADR€Subcommittee€expanded€theŠ Lœ Šlanguage€of€the€Uniform€Mediation€Act€and€added€it€into€the€RuleŠ ųH Šas€subsection€(d)(3).€€The€Committee€approved€the€Rule€asŠ ¤ō Špresented.Š P  ŠÓÓĢAgenda€Item€2.€€Consideration€of€proposed€amendments€to:€€Rule€Š Ņ" Š€€2„341€(Amendment€of€Pleadings)€and€Rule€2„504€(SchedulingŠ Øų Š€€Order)Š ~Ī  Š_________________________________________________________________Š T ¤! ŠĢÓÓą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€presented€Rule€2„341,€Amendment€of€Pleadings,Š "P# Šfor€the€Committeeššs€consideration.Š ¬#ü% ŠŅ` °ŅŅ` °ŅÓÓŌ‡XfzXX Xģ‡ŌĢą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ "&r!( ŠĢą@P P ģąTITLE€2€„€CIVIL€PROCEDURE€„€CIRCUIT€COURTˆŠ ¶'#* ŠĢą@ø ø ģąCHAPTER€300€„€PLEADINGS€AND€MOTIONSˆŠ J)š$, ŠŌ#† Xģ‡XXXfz c#ŌĢĢą ø ąAMEND€Rule€2„341€to€delete€a€certainŠ Ą+'/ Štime€period€from€sections€(a)€and€(b)€and€toŠ –,ę'0 Šadd€new€language€to€those€sections,€asŠ l-¼(1 Šfollows:Š B.’)2 Š‡Rule€2-341.€€AMENDMENT€OF€PLEADINGS€Š ° ŠĢĢ€€(a)€ņ ņPrior€to€15€days€of€Trial€Dateó ó€ņņBy€DateŠ 2‚ ŠSet€Forth€in€Scheduling€OrderóóŠ X ŠņņóóĢą ø ą€€A€party€may€file€an€amendment€to€aŠ “  Špleading€ņņwithout€leave€of€courtóó€at€any€timeŠ Š Ś Šprior€to€ņ ņ15€days€of€a€scheduled€trial€dateó ó€Š ` ° Šņņthe€date€set€forth€in€a€scheduling€orderóó.€Š 6 †  ŠWithin€15€days€after€service€of€an€amendment,Š  \  Šany€other€party€to€the€action€may€file€€aŠ ā 2  Šmotion€to€strike€setting€forth€reasons€whyŠ ø  Šthe€court€should€not€allow€the€amendment.€€IfŠ ŽŽ  Šan€amendment€introduces€new€facts€or€variesŠ d“  Šthe€case€in€a€material€respect,€an€adverseŠ :Š  Šparty€who€wishes€to€contest€new€facts€orŠ `  Šallegations€shall€file€a€new€or€additionalŠ ę6 Šanswer€to€the€amendment€within€the€timeŠ ¼  Šremaining€to€answer€the€original€pleading€orŠ ’ā Šwithin€15€days€after€service€of€theŠ hø Šamendment,€whichever€is€later.€€If€no€new€orŠ >Ž Šadditional€answer€is€filed€within€the€timeŠ d Šallowed,€the€answer€previously€filed€shall€beŠ ź: Štreated€as€the€answer€to€the€amendment.€€Š Ą ŠĢ€€(b)€€ņ ņWithin€15€days€of€Trial€Date€andŠ l¼ ŠThereafteró ó€ņņAfter€Date€Set€Forth€in€SchedulingŠ B’ ŠOrderóóŠ h ŠĢą ø ą€€ņ ņWithin€15€days€of€a€scheduled€trialŠ Ä Šdate€or€after€trial€has€commenced,€aó ó€ņņAóó€partyŠ šź Šmay€file€an€amendment€to€a€pleading€ņņafter€theŠ pĄ  Šdate€set€forth€in€a€scheduling€orderóó€only€ņ ņbyŠ F –! Šwritten€consent€of€the€adverse€party€oró ó€byŠ !l" Šleave€of€court€ņņor€by€written€consent€of€allŠ ņ!B# Šparties€that€includes€an€agreement€that€theŠ Č"$ Šfiling€of€the€amendment€will€not€cause€theŠ ž#ī% Šneed€for€any€changes€in€the€scheduling€orderóó.€Š t$Ä& ŠIf€the€amendment€introduces€new€facts€orŠ J%š ' Švaries€the€case€in€a€material€respect,€theŠ  &p!( Šnew€facts€or€allegations€shall€be€treated€asŠ ö&F") Šhaving€been€denied€by€the€adverse€party.€€TheŠ Ģ'#* Šcourt€shall€not€grant€a€continuance€orŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šmistrial€unless€the€ends€of€justice€soŠ x)Č$, Šrequire.€€Š N*ž%- ŠĢCommittee€note:€€By€leave€of€court,€the€courtŠ ś+J'/ Šmay€grant€leave€to€amend€the€amount€sought€inŠ Š, (0 Ša€demand€for€a€money€judgment€after€a€juryŠ ¦-ö(1 Šverdict€is€returned.Š |.Ģ)2 Š‡€€(c)€€ScopeŠ ° ŠĢą ø ą€€An€amendment€may€seek€to€(1)€changeŠ \¬ Šthe€nature€of€the€action€or€defense,€(2)€setŠ 2‚ Šforth€a€better€statement€of€facts€concerningŠ X Šany€matter€already€raised€in€a€pleading,€(3)Š Ž. Šset€forth€transactions€or€events€that€haveŠ “  Šoccurred€since€the€filing€of€the€pleadingŠ Š Ś Šsought€to€be€amended,€(4)€correct€misnomer€ofŠ ` ° Ša€party,€(5)€correct€misjoinder€or€nonjoinderŠ 6 †  Šof€a€party€so€long€as€one€of€the€originalŠ  \  Šplaintiffs€and€one€of€the€original€defendantsŠ ā 2  Šremain€as€parties€to€the€action,€(6)€add€aŠ ø  Šparty€or€parties,€(7)€make€any€otherŠ ŽŽ  Šappropriate€change.€€Amendments€shall€beŠ d“  Šfreely€allowed€when€justice€so€permits.€Š :Š  ŠErrors€or€defects€in€a€pleading€not€correctedŠ `  Šby€an€amendment€shall€be€disregarded€unlessŠ ę6 Šthey€affect€the€substantial€rights€of€theŠ ¼  Šparties.€€Š ’ā ŠĢ€€(d)€€If€New€Party€AddedŠ >Ž ŠĢą ø ą€€If€a€new€party€is€added€by€amendment,Š ź: Šthe€amending€party€shall€cause€a€summons€andŠ Ą Šcomplaint,€together€with€a€copy€of€allŠ –ę Špleadings,€scheduling€notices,€court€orders,Š l¼ Šand€other€papers€previously€filed€in€theŠ B’ Šaction,€to€be€served€upon€the€new€party.€€Š h ŠĢSource:€€This€Rule€is€derived€as€follows:€€Š Ä Š€€Section€(a)€is€derived€from€former€RuleŠ šź Š320.€€Š pĄ  Š€€Section€(b)€is€new€and€is€derived€in€partŠ F –! Šfrom€former€Rule€320€e.€€Š !l" Š€€Section€(c)€is€derived€from€sections€a€2,Š ņ!B# Š3,€4,€b€1€and€d€5€of€former€Rule€320€andŠ Č"$ Šformer€Rule€379.€€Š ž#ī% Š€€Section€(d)€is€new.€€Š t$Ä& ŠĢĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` Ņą  ąRule€2„341€was€accompanied€by€the€following€Reporterššs€Note.Š ö&F") ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą ø ąThe€Honorable€Thomas€P.€Smith,€of€theŠ ¢(ņ#+ ŠCircuit€Court€for€Prince€Georgeššs€County,Š x)Č$, Šwrote€a€letter€expressing€his€concern€thatŠ N*ž%- Šthere€is€an€inconsistency€between€Rules€2„341Š $+t&. Šand€the€scheduling€orders€issued€pursuant€toŠ ś+J'/ ŠRule€2„504€because€the€scheduling€orderŠ Š, (0 Šprovides€that€amendments€to€pleadings€and€theŠ ¦-ö(1 Šaddition€of€parties€must€be€completed€by€aŠ |.Ģ)2 Šdate€certain,€while€Rule€2„341€(a)€providesŠ ° Šthat€a€party€may€file€an€amendment€to€aŠ †Ö Špleading€any€time€prior€to€15€days€before€theŠ \¬ Štrial€date€without€leave€of€court.€€InŠ 2‚ Šresponse€to€Judge€Smithššs€letter,€theŠ X ŠManagement€of€Litigation€SubcommitteeŠ Ž. Šproposes€changes€to€Rule€2„341€tying€theŠ “  Šfiling€of€amendments€to€the€date€set€forth€inŠ Š Ś Šthe€scheduling€order€and€providing€that€aŠ ` ° Šparty€may€file€an€amendment€after€the€dateŠ 6 †  Šset€forth€in€a€scheduling€order€if€theŠ  \  Šparties€file€a€written€consent€agreeing€thatŠ ā 2  Šthe€filing€of€the€amendment€will€not€causeŠ ø  Šthe€need€for€any€changes€in€the€schedulingŠ ŽŽ  Šorder.€€The€Subcommittee€also€proposedŠ d“  Šchanges€to€Rule€2„504€to€include€the€timeŠ :Š  Šperiods€that€were€originally€in€Rule€2„341Š `  Šand€to€add€other€items€to€the€contents€of€theŠ ę6 Šscheduling€order.€€Rule€2„504€also€has€newŠ ¼  Šlanguage€providing€that€the€court€may€modifyŠ ’ā Šthe€scheduling€order€to€prevent€manifestŠ hø Šinjustice.Š >Ž ŠĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` ŅÓÓą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€told€the€Committee€that€part€of€the€impetusŠ ź: Šfor€changing€the€Rule€was€a€letter€from€the€Honorable€Thomas€P.Š –ę ŠSmith,€of€the€Circuit€Court€for€Prince€Georgeššs€County€who€hadŠ B’ Špointed€out€that€there€is€a€conflict€between€Rule€2„341,€whichŠ ī> Šstates€that€a€party€may€file€an€amendment€to€a€pleading€any€timeŠ šź Šprior€to€15€days€before€trial,€and€Rule€2„504.2€(b)(4),€whichŠ F –! Šprovides€that€at€a€pretrial€conference,€the€court€may€considerŠ ņ!B# Šany€amendment€required€of€the€pleadings.€€Many€practitioners€haveŠ ž#ī% Šobserved€that€there€can€be€inconsistencies€between€schedulingŠ J%š ' Šorders€entered€pursuant€to€Rule€2„504€and€some€of€the€Rules,€theŠ ö&F") Šbiggest€problem€being€Rule€2„341.€€€Š ¢(ņ#+ Šą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€said€that€in€1984,€when€Rule€2„341€wasŠ N*ž%- Šadopted,€the€Committee€had€decided€not€to€adopt€the€federalŠ ś+J'/ Šapproach€requiring€leave€of€court€for€any€amendment.€€Rule€2„341Š ¦-ö(1 Šallows€amendment€as€of€right€up€to€16€days€before€trial,€but€aŠ ° Šscheduling€order€may€not€allow€this.€€To€conform€the€pleadingŠ \¬ Šrules€to€the€scheduling€orders€that€are€being€entered,€theŠ X Šsuggested€new€language€allows€amendment€without€leave€of€court€atŠ “  Šany€time€prior€to€the€date€set€forth€in€a€scheduling€order.€Š ` ° ŠAfter€that€date,€the€suggestion€is€to€allow€amendment€by€writtenŠ  \  Šconsent€of€all€parties,€including€an€agreement€that€the€filing€ofŠ ø  Šthe€amendment€will€not€cause€the€need€for€any€changes€in€theŠ d“  Šscheduling€order,€as€well€as€by€leave€of€court,€which€is€alreadyŠ `  Špermitted€by€the€Rule.€€Mr.€Sykes€questioned€as€to€how€cases€thatŠ ¼  Šdo€not€have€scheduling€orders€will€be€handled.€€Judge€McAuliffeŠ hø Šsuggested€that€the€15„day€time€period€already€in€the€Rule€shouldŠ d Šapply€when€there€is€no€scheduling€order.€€Mr.€Maloney€added€thatŠ Ą Šthe€15„day€period€should€also€apply€where€the€timing€ofŠ l¼ Šamendments€is€not€referenced€in€the€scheduling€order.€€Mr.€KleinŠ h Špointed€out€that€the€proposed€amendments€to€Rule€2„504€that€areŠ Ä Šcontained€in€todayššs€meeting€materials€will€require€the€court€toŠ pĄ  Šinclude€in€every€scheduling€order€a€date€by€which€amendments€toŠ !l" Špleadings€are€allowed€as€of€right.€€Mr.€Sykes€remarked€that€thereŠ Č"$ Šmay€have€been€no€cutoff€dates€for€amendments€to€pleadings€withoutŠ t$Ä& Šleave€of€court€in€scheduling€orders€entered€before€the€proposedŠ  &p!( ŠRules€changes€go€into€effect.€€Additionally,€there€may€be€casesŠ Ģ'#* Šin€which€no€scheduling€order€is€entered€if,€pursuant€to€sectionŠ x)Č$, Š(a)€of€Rule€2„504,€the€County€Administrative€Judge€has€orderedŠ $+t&. Šthat€no€scheduling€order€be€entered€in€one€or€more€categories€ofŠ Š, (0 Šactions.€€Retaining€the€15„day€period€will€close€those€gaps.€€Š |.Ģ)2 Šą  ąMr.€Maloney€inquired€as€to€whether€the€proposed€amendmentsŠ ° Šwill€affect€when€the€ņņad€damnumóó€clause€may€be€amended.€€The€ViceŠ \¬ ŠChair€replied€that€the€Committee€note€after€section€(b)€of€RuleŠ d Š2„341€states€that€the€court€may€grant€leave€to€amend€the€amountŠ Ą  Šof€the€ņņad€damnumóó€clause€after€a€jury€verdict.€€Mr.€MichaelŠ l ¼ Šexpressed€the€concern€about€the€fact€that€it€requires€leave€ofŠ $ t  Šcourt€to€amend€the€ņņad€damnumóó€clause.€€An€attorney€may€haveŠ Š  Šobtained€a€judgment€in€excess€of€the€ņņad€damnumóó€clause€and€not€beŠ ˆŲ  Šgranted€leave€to€amend.€€The€Vice€Chair€commented€that€judgmentsŠ @  Šin€excess€of€what€was€asked€for€are€extremely€rare.€€Š ģ< Šą  ąMr.€Michael€raised€the€issue€of€whether€the€Rules€shouldŠ ˜č Šaddress€amendments€to€conform€to€the€evidence.€€Currently,€thisŠ D” Šis€up€to€the€judgeššs€discretion.€€If€the€judge€does€not€allowŠ š@ Šamendments€to€conform€to€evidence,€there€is€a€problem.€€JudgeŠ œģ ŠHeller€inquired€as€to€whether€the€federal€rule€concerningŠ H˜ Šamendments€to€conform€to€the€evidence€had€been€considered.€€TheŠ ōD ŠVice€Chair€responded€that€during€the€1984€revision€of€theŠ  š  ŠMaryland€Rules,€the€Committee€looked€at€Fed.€R.€Civ.€P.€15€(b)Š L!œ" Šand€decided€not€to€incorporate€its€provisions.€€€Š ų"H$ Šą  ąJudge€McAuliffe€asked€about€the€origin€of€the€Committee€noteŠ ¤$ō& Šfollowing€section€(b)€of€Rule€2„341.€€Judge€Spellbring€answeredŠ P& !( Šthat€it€is€ņņFalcinelli€v.€Cardasciaóó,€339€Md.€414€(1995).€€JudgeŠ ü'L#* ŠHeller€remarked€that€case€law€holds€that€amendments€should€beŠ “)%, Šfreely€allowed€as€justice€permits.€€Judge€McAuliffe€cautionedŠ `+°&. Šabout€being€too€liberal.€€Judge€Heller€suggested€that€theŠ  -\(0 Šstandard€should€be€š šwhen€justice€so€requires.šš€€The€Vice€ChairŠ ° Šsaid€the€Subcommittee€can€look€at€that.€€She€questioned€as€toŠ \¬ Šwhether€the€15„day€period€for€cases€that€do€not€have€a€schedulingŠ X Šorder€is€too€short.€€Judge€Heller€replied€that€this€period€is€tooŠ “  Šshort.€€She€suggested€a€deadline€of€30€days€after€discovery€isŠ ` ° Šcompleted.€€Judge€McAuliffe€commented€that€this€time€period€isŠ  \  Štoo€vague.€€Mr.€Klein€suggested€that€the€time€period€could€be€aŠ ø  Šcertain€number€of€days€before€the€trial€date€or€after€the€case€isŠ d“  Šat€issue.€€Judge€McAuliffe€suggested€a€30„day€period,€and€theŠ `  ŠVice€Chair€suggested€90€days.€€Judge€Heller€proposed€a€compromiseŠ ¼  Šof€60€days.€€The€Vice€Chair€agreed€with€that€number,€although€sheŠ hø Šnoted€that€it€would€depend€on€the€circumstances€of€the€case.€€Mr.Š d ŠMichael€said€that€60€days€would€be€enough€for€a€track€1€case.€€Š Ą Šą  ąMs.€Ogletree€pointed€out€that€in€Caroline€County,€trial€isŠ l¼ Šset€to€be€within€30€days€of€the€settlement€conference.€€The€ViceŠ h ŠChair€remarked€that€in€some€counties,€the€trial€date€is€not€setŠ Ä Šuntil€after€the€settlement€conference€is€held.€€There€may€only€beŠ pĄ  Štwo€weeks€between€the€conference€and€the€trial.€€Mr.€Klein€notedŠ !l" Šthat€in€those€cases€a€scheduling€order€has€been€entered,€so€thisŠ Č"$ Šaspect€of€the€Rule€would€not€apply.€€Ms.€Ogletree€responded€thatŠ t$Ä& Šthis€is€not€true€in€a€simple€uncontested€divorce€case.€€JudgeŠ  &p!( ŠKaplan€suggested€that€the€language€of€the€Rule€could€be:€š š60€daysŠ Ģ'#* Šprior€to€the€trial€date€or€as€otherwise€set€by€the€court.šš€€Š x)Č$, Šą  ąMr.€Sykes€suggested€that€this€matter€be€remanded€to€theŠ $+t&. ŠSubcommittee€for€an€investigation€into€the€various€practicesŠ Š, (0 Šaround€the€State.€€Judge€Dryden€noted€that€in€the€simple€casesŠ |.Ģ)2 Šwhere€there€is€no€scheduling€order,€amendment€is€not€frequent,Š ° Šand€a€30„day€period€would€not€be€harmful.€€The€Vice€Chair€saidŠ \¬ Šthat€Rule€2„341€would€go€back€to€the€Subcommittee€for€furtherŠ X Šinvestigation.€€Š “  Šą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€presented€Rule€2„504,€Scheduling€Order,€forŠ ` ° Šthe€Committeeššs€consideration.€€Š  \  ŠŅ` °ŅŅ` °ŅÓÓĢą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ ŽŽ  ŠĢą@P P ģąTITLE€2€„€CIVIL€PROCEDURE€„€CIRCUIT€COURTˆŠ :Š  ŠĢą@xx!ģąCHAPTER€500€„€TRIALˆŠ ę6 ŠĢĢą ø ąAMEND€Rule€2„504€to€add€language€to€andŠ hø Šreletter€subsection€(b)(1),€to€deleteŠ >Ž Šlanguage€from€and€reletter€subsection€(b)(2),Š d Šand€to€add€a€new€section€(c),€as€follows:Š ź: ŠĢĢRule€2-504.€€SCHEDULING€ORDER€Š l¼ ŠĢĢ€€(a)€€Order€RequiredŠ ī> ŠĢ€€€€(1)€Unless€otherwise€ordered€by€theŠ šź ŠCounty€Administrative€Judge€for€one€or€moreŠ pĄ  Šspecified€categories€of€actions,€the€courtŠ F –! Šshall€enter€a€scheduling€order€in€every€civilŠ !l" Šaction,€whether€or€not€the€court€orders€aŠ ņ!B# Šscheduling€conference€pursuant€to€RuleŠ Č"$ Š2-504.1.€€Š ž#ī% Š€€€€(2)€The€County€Administrative€Judge€shallŠ t$Ä& Šprescribe€the€general€format€of€schedulingŠ J%š ' Šorders€to€be€entered€pursuant€to€this€Rule.€Š  &p!( ŠA€copy€of€the€prescribed€format€shall€beŠ ö&F") Šfurnished€to€the€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€ofŠ Ģ'#* ŠAppeals.€€Š ¢(ņ#+ ŠĢ€€€€(3)€Unless€the€court€orders€a€schedulingŠ N*ž%- Šconference€pursuant€to€Rule€2-504.1,€theŠ $+t&. Šscheduling€order€shall€be€entered€as€soon€asŠ ś+J'/ Špracticable,€but€no€later€than€30€days€afterŠ Š, (0 Šan€answer€is€filed€by€any€defendant.€€If€theŠ ¦-ö(1 Šcourt€orders€a€scheduling€conference,€theŠ |.Ģ)2 Šscheduling€order€shall€be€entered€promptlyŠ ° Šafter€conclusion€of€the€conference.€€Š †Ö ŠĢ€€(b)€€Contents€of€Scheduling€OrderŠ 2‚ ŠĢ€€€€(1)€RequiredŠ Ž. ŠĢą ø ą€€€A€scheduling€order€shall€contain:€€Š Š Ś ŠĢą ø ą€(A)€an€assignment€of€the€action€to€anŠ 6 †  Šappropriate€scheduling€category€of€aŠ  \  Šdifferentiated€case€management€systemŠ ā 2  Šestablished€pursuant€to€Rule€16-202;€€Š ø  ŠĢą ø ą€(B)€one€or€more€dates€by€which€eachŠ d“  Šparty€shall€identify€each€person€whom€theŠ :Š  Šparty€expects€to€call€as€an€expert€witness€atŠ `  Štrial,€including€all€information€specified€inŠ ę6 ŠRule€2-402€(f)€(1);€€Š ¼  ŠĢą ø ą€(C)€one€or€more€dates€by€which€eachŠ hø Šparty€shall€file€the€notice€required€by€RuleŠ >Ž Š2-504.3€(b)€concerning€computer-generatedŠ d Ševidence;Š ź: ŠĢą ø ą€ņņ(D)€a€date€by€which€the€parties€mustŠ –ę Šarrange€a€one„week€period,€before€anyŠ l¼ Šdiscovery€is€conducted€or€trial€preparationsŠ B’ Šbegin,€to€confer€about€settlement;ó󀀩 h ŠĢą ø ą€ņ ņ(D)ó ó€ņņ(E)óó€a€date€by€which€all€discoveryŠ Ä Šmust€be€completed;€€Š šź ŠĢą ø ą€ņ ņ(E)ó ó€ņņ(F)óó€a€date€by€which€all€dispositiveŠ F –! Šmotions€must€be€filedņņ,€which€shall€be€noŠ !l" Šearlier€than€15€days€after€the€date€by€whichŠ ņ!B# Šall€discovery€must€be€completedóó;Š Č"$ ŠĢą ø ą€ņņ(G)€a€date€by€which€any€additionalŠ t$Ä& Šparties€must€be€joined;óóŠ J%š ' ŠĢą ø ą€ņņ(H)€a€date€by€which€amendments€to€theŠ ö&F") Špleadings€are€allowed€as€of€right;óó€andŠ Ģ'#* ŠĢą ø ą€ņ ņ(F)ó ó€ņņ(I)óó€any€other€matter€resolved€at€aŠ x)Č$, Šscheduling€conference€held€pursuant€to€RuleŠ N*ž%- Š2-504.1.€€Š $+t&. ŠĢ€€€€(2)€PermittedŠ Š, (0 ŠĢą ø ą€€€A€scheduling€order€may€also€contain:€€Š |.Ģ)2 Š‡ą ø ą€(A)€any€limitations€on€discoveryŠ ° Šotherwise€permitted€under€these€rules,Š †Ö Šincluding€reasonable€limitations€on€theŠ \¬ Šnumber€of€interrogatories,€depositions,€andŠ 2‚ Šother€forms€of€discovery;€€Š X ŠĢą ø ą€(B)€the€resolution€of€any€disputesŠ “  Šexisting€between€the€parties€relating€toŠ Š Ś Šdiscovery;€€Š ` ° ŠĢą ø ą€ņ ņ(C)€a€date€by€which€any€additionalŠ  \  Šparties€must€be€joined;ó 󀀩 ā 2  ŠĢą ø ą€ņ ņ(D)ó ó€ņņ(C)óó€a€specific€referral€to€orŠ ŽŽ  Šdirection€to€pursue€an€available€andŠ d“  Šappropriate€form€of€alternative€disputeŠ :Š  Šresolution,€including€a€requirement€thatŠ `  Šindividuals€with€authority€to€settle€beŠ ę6 Špresent€or€readily€available€for€consultationŠ ¼  Šduring€the€alternative€dispute€resolutionŠ ’ā Šproceeding,€provided€that€the€referral€orŠ hø Šdirection€conforms€to€the€limitations€of€RuleŠ >Ž Š2-504.1€(e);€€Š d ŠĢą ø ą€ņ ņ(E)ó ó€ņņ(D)óó€an€order€designating€orŠ Ą Šproviding€for€the€designation€of€a€neutralŠ –ę Šexpert€to€be€called€as€the€court's€witness;€€Š l¼ ŠĢą ø ą€ņ ņ(F)ó ó€ņņ(E)óó€a€further€scheduling€conferenceŠ h Šor€pretrial€conference€date;€and€€Š ī> ŠĢą ø ą€ņ ņ(G)ó ó€ņņ(F)óó€any€other€matter€pertinent€toŠ šź Šthe€management€of€the€action.€€Š pĄ  ŠĢ€€ņņ(c)€€Modification€of€OrderóóŠ !l" ŠĢą ø ą€€ņņThe€scheduling€order€controls€theŠ Č"$ Šsubsequent€course€of€the€action€but€may€beŠ ž#ī% Šmodified€by€the€court€to€prevent€manifestŠ t$Ä& Šinjustice.óóŠ J%š ' ŠĢCross€reference:€€See€Rule€5-706€forŠ ö&F") Šauthority€of€the€court€to€appoint€expertŠ Ģ'#* Šwitnesses.€€Š ¢(ņ#+ ŠĢSource:€€This€Rule€is€new.Š N*ž%- ŠĢĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` Ņą  ąRule€2„504€was€accompanied€by€the€following€Reporterššs€Note.Š Š, (0 ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °ŅŠ  |.Ģ)2 Šą ø ąHerbert€R.€OššConor,€III€wrote€a€letterŠ ° Šsuggesting€a€change€to€Rule€2„504.€€At€theŠ †Ö ŠApril€15,€2005€Management€of€LitigationŠ \¬ ŠSubcommittee€meeting,€Mr.€OššConor€fine„tunedŠ 2‚ Šhis€suggestion.€€His€proposal€is€that€Rule€2„Š X Š504€provide€for€a€one„week€period€for€counselŠ Ž. Što€confer€about€settlement.€€This€periodŠ “  Šwould€take€place€prior€to€discovery€or€trialŠ Š Ś Špreparations.€€He€further€suggests€thatŠ ` ° Šsubsection€(b)(2)(D)€be€deleted€from€theŠ 6 †  ŠRule.€€The€Subcommittee€does€not€agree€withŠ  \  Šthe€deletion€of€subsection€(b)(2)(D).€€Mr.Š ā 2  ŠOššConor€believes€that€efforts€in€complianceŠ ø  Šwith€the€scheduling€order€are€misinterpretedŠ ŽŽ  Šas€encouraging€trial.€€The€best€potential€forŠ d“  Šsettlement€is€before€discovery€and€motions,Š :Š  Šand€requiring€a€period€early€on€in€the€caseŠ `  Šfor€discussing€settlement€may€encourage€it.Š ę6 ŠĢą ø ąFor€an€explanation€of€the€other€changesŠ ’ā Što€Rule€2„504,€see€the€Reporterššs€Note€toŠ hø ŠRule€2„341.Š >Ž ŠĢĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` ŅÓÓą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€explained€that€Rule€2„504€is€a€companion€toŠ Ą ŠRule€2„341.€€She€told€the€Committee€that€Herbert€OššConor,€Esq.,Š l¼ Šhad€sent€a€letter€suggesting€that€Rule€2„504€be€amended€toŠ h Šprovide€that€on€a€joint€motion,€the€parties€could€request€aŠ Ä Šchange€to€the€scheduling€order€to€set€up€a€discussion€period€toŠ pĄ  Šconsider€settlement€or€mediation.€€The€period€would€last€for€10Š !l" Što€180€days.€€At€the€Subcommittee€meeting,€a€proposed€change€wasŠ Č"$ Šmade€to€subsection€(b)(1)(D)€to€provide€for€a€date€by€which€theŠ t$Ä& Šparties€must€arrange€a€one„week€period€before€discovery€or€trialŠ  &p!( Špreparations€begin€to€confer€about€settlement.€€This€wouldŠ Ģ'#* Šstimulate€the€parties€to€speak€with€one€another€early€in€theŠ x)Č$, Šprocess.€€The€Vice€Chair€expressed€her€support€for€this€idea.Š $+t&. Šą  ąJudge€Heller€commented€that€it€is€a€good€idea€to€encourageŠ Š, (0 Šopposing€attorneys€to€speak€early€in€the€litigation€process.€€TheŠ |.Ģ)2 Šthought€and€philosophy€behind€the€proposed€change€is€good,€butŠ ° Šthe€Rule,€as€written,€would€not€work€in€Baltimore€City.€€TheŠ \¬ Šreason€is€in€most€civil€non„family€cases,€Baltimore€City€hasŠ X Šrequired€mediation€very€early€in€the€process.€€The€dates€in€theŠ “  Šscheduling€order€are€set€up€by€computer€after€the€case€is€atŠ ` ° Šissue.€€The€dates€include€a€scheduling€conference,€a€pretrialŠ  \  Šconference,€and€the€trial.€€The€proposed€language€in€subsectionŠ ø  Š(b)(1)(D)€would€throw€off€every€date€set€out€in€the€schedulingŠ d“  Šorder.€€A€judge€would€have€to€reissue€the€order,€changing€all€ofŠ `  Šthe€dates.€€This€would€be€very€time„consuming.€€Mr.€KleinŠ ¼  Šinquired€as€to€when€the€mediation€in€Baltimore€City€is€set.€€Š hø ŠJudge€Heller€replied€that€it€depends€on€the€track€that€the€caseŠ d Šwas€placed€in.€€In€all€cases€but€medical€malpractice,€the€date€isŠ Ą Šearly€in€the€case,€before€discovery€is€concluded.€€A€one„weekŠ l¼ Šcontinuance€put€in€as€a€matter€of€right€would€throw€off€theŠ h Šscheduling€order.€€Š Ä Šą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€said€that€she€agreed€with€the€concept€of€theŠ pĄ  Šone„week€period€to€discuss€settlement,€but€in€light€of€JudgeŠ !l" ŠHellerššs€concerns,€placing€this€into€the€Rules€of€Procedure€mayŠ Č"$ Šnot€work.€€Although€the€discovery€Rules€and€the€Maryland€StateŠ t$Ä& ŠBar€Associationššs€discovery€guidelines€encourage€discussion,€whenŠ  &p!( Šshe€was€in€private€practice,€she€never€found€that€this€rarelyŠ Ģ'#* Šoccurred€in€a€meaningful€way.€€Mr.€Michael€questioned€as€toŠ x)Č$, Šwhether€the€proposed€language€means€that€the€attorneys€have€toŠ $+t&. Šset€aside€a€week€for€conferencing.€€Mr.€OššConor€responded€thatŠ Š, (0 Šthe€language€means€that€within€the€first€six€weeks€after€theŠ |.Ģ)2 Šanswer€is€filed,€the€attorneys€would€talk€with€each€other.€€ThisŠ ° Šcould€be€for€10€minutes€or€for€several€hours,€depending€on€theŠ \¬ Šnature€of€the€case€and€their€relationship.€€This€would€take€placeŠ X Šshortly€after€the€answer€is€filed,€but€before€discovery€begins.€Š “  ŠMr.€Michael€asked€if€this€would€be€applicable€to€all€cases,€andŠ ` ° ŠMr.€OššConor€answered€affirmatively.€€The€Vice€Chair€pointed€outŠ  \  Šthat€Mr.€Sykes€had€observed€that€not€all€cases€have€a€schedulingŠ ø  Šorder.€€The€proposed€change€should€not€create€the€potential€toŠ d“  Šdelay€the€case.€€It€is€possible€that€it€could€be€put€in€anotherŠ `  Šrule€relating€to€events€that€occur€after€the€complaint€is€filed.€Š ¼  ŠMr.€Klein€suggested€that€the€timing€of€the€discussion€could€beŠ hø Štied€to€service.€€The€Reporter€suggested€that€since€the€entry€ofŠ d Šthe€computer„generated€scheduling€order€is€triggered€by€theŠ Ą Šfiling€of€an€answer,€the€Rule€could€provide€that€the€partiesŠ l¼ Šcould€request€a€one„week€delay€in€the€entry€of€the€schedulingŠ h Šorder€after€the€case€is€at€issue€or€a€one„week€period€that€isŠ Ä Šbuilt€into€the€dates€that€are€included€in€the€scheduling€order.€Š pĄ  ŠIf€the€Rule€were€to€provide€for€this,€there€would€be€no€need€forŠ !l" Ša€judge€to€reissue€a€scheduling€order€to€accommodate€the€proposedŠ Č"$ Šone„week€conferencing€period.Š t$Ä& Šą  ąMr.€OššConor€pointed€out€that€the€scheduling€order€system€inŠ  &p!( ŠBaltimore€City€is€unique.€€Judge€Heller€added€that€it€affectsŠ Ģ'#* Šthousands€of€cases.€€The€dates€that€go€into€the€scheduling€orderŠ x)Č$, Šwere€reached€with€the€consensus€of€the€bar.€€With€the€mandatoryŠ $+t&. Šmediation,€there€is€already€informal€discussion.€€Mr.€OššConorŠ Š, (0 Šresponded€that€if€attorneys€are€required€to€speak€early€in€theŠ |.Ģ)2 Šprocess,€there€is€a€better€chance€to€find€out€early€if€the€caseŠ ° Šhas€to€be€tried.€€Š \¬ Šą  ąMr.€Michael€observed€that€in€major€cases,€such€as€productsŠ X Šliability€or€malpractice,€the€plaintiff€has€investigated€the€caseŠ “  Šand€knows€a€lot€about€the€case€before€the€plaintiff€files€theŠ ` ° Šcomplaint.€€The€defense€often€knows€nothing€about€the€case€untilŠ  \  Šserved€with€the€complaint.€€The€defense€must€š šplay€catch„upšš€andŠ ø  Šplead€all€defenses.€€In€multi„party€cases,€there€are€too€manyŠ d“  Šplayers€and€too€much€inadequate€information€for€the€proposedŠ `  Šprocedure€to€work.€€Mr.€Sykes€added€that€reasonable€counsel€doŠ ¼  Šnot€need€a€mandatory€rule.€€Mr.€OššConor€responded€that€theŠ hø Šcurrent€system€is€not€working.€€Mr.€Sykes€remarked€that€althoughŠ d ŠMr.€OššConorššs€idea€is€a€good€one,€it€would€be€better€to€beŠ Ą Šeffected€through€encouraging€the€use€of€the€civility€code€andŠ l¼ Šhortatory€statements€for€lawyers.€€He€has€never€found€this€to€beŠ h Ša€problem€in€his€law€practice.€€In€his€experience,€opposingŠ Ä Šcounsel€always€have€conversations€about€the€possibility€ofŠ pĄ  Šsettlement.€€Even€if€discussions€are€mandatory,€they€will€notŠ !l" Šalways€be€fruitful.€€The€Vice€Chair€suggested€that€subsectionŠ Č"$ Š(b)(1)(D)€be€deleted.€€Judge€Dryden€asked€whether€the€proposedŠ t$Ä& Šlanguage€should€be€couched€as€optional€rather€than€mandatory.€€Š  &p!( ŠJudge€Spellbring€commented€that€there€is€a€potential€for€abuse€ofŠ Ģ'#* Šthe€rule€by€attorneys€who€would€use€it€for€purposes€of€delay€andŠ x)Č$, Šnever€make€themselves€available€for€meaningful€conversation€aboutŠ $+t&. Šsettlement€of€the€case.€€By€consensus,€the€Committee€agreed€toŠ Š, (0 Šdelete€subsection€Ō_Ō(b)(1)(D).Š |.Ģ)2 Šą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€drew€the€Committeeššs€attention€to€subsectionŠ ° Š(b)(1)(F).€€She€said€that€in€the€Circuit€Court€for€Anne€Ō_ŌArundelŌ_ŌŠ \¬ ŠCounty,€Ō_ŌdispositiveŌ_Ō€motions€are€required€to€be€filed€before€theŠ X Šdate€by€which€discovery€must€be€completed.€€She€had€spoken€withŠ “  Šthe€Honorable€Joseph€Ō_ŌManckŌ_Ō,€Administrative€Judge€for€the€CircuitŠ ` ° ŠCourt€for€Anne€Ō_ŌArundelŌ_Ō€County,€and€had€told€him€that€this€issueŠ  \  Šwould€be€discussed€by€the€Rules€Committee.€€The€Management€ofŠ ø  ŠLitigation€Subcommittee€feels€strongly€that€the€date€by€whichŠ d“  ŠŌ_ŌdispositiveŌ_Ō€motions€must€be€filed€should€not€be€until€after€theŠ `  Šdate€by€which€all€discovery€must€be€completed.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌMaloneyŌ_ŌŠ ¼  Šquestioned€as€to€what€Judge€Ō_ŌManckŌ_Ōššs€reasons€are.€€The€Vice€ChairŠ hø Šanswered€that€the€thinking€is€that€it€is€not€necessary€to€knowŠ d Šall€that€is€learned€in€discovery€in€order€to€know€whether€aŠ Ą ŠŌ_ŌdispositiveŌ_Ō€motion€should€be€granted€or€denied.€€Although€sheŠ l¼ Šunderstands€what€Judge€Ō_ŌManckŌ_Ō€is€saying,€the€Rules€of€ProcedureŠ h Šare€written€for€good€attorneys€who€want€to€know€what€theŠ Ä Šdiscovery€reveals,€because€otherwise€they€would€not€know€whetherŠ pĄ  Šthere€are€facts€to€support€a€good€faith€motion€for€summaryŠ !l" Šjudgment.€€Š Č"$ Šą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€stated€that€subsection€(b)(1)(G),€concerningŠ t$Ä& Ša€date€by€which€any€additional€parties€must€be€joined,€has€beenŠ  &p!( Šmoved€from€subsection€(b)(2)€to€subsection€(b)(1).€€This€becomesŠ Ģ'#* Ša€mandatory,€rather€than€permissive,€part€of€the€schedulingŠ x)Č$, Šorder.€€This€change€and€proposed€new€subsection€(b)(1)(H)€are€inŠ $+t&. Šconjunction€with€the€proposed€changes€to€Rule€2„341.Š Š, (0 Šą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€noted€that€proposed€new€section€(c)€expresslyŠ |.Ģ)2 Šallows€the€court€to€modify€the€scheduling€order.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌMaloneyŌ_ŌŠ ° Šquestioned€whether€a€standard€other€than€š što€prevent€manifestŠ \¬ Šinjusticešš€might€be€more€appropriate€in€the€Rule.€€The€proposedŠ X Šlanguage€presents€too€high€a€bar.€€The€Vice€Chair€responded€thatŠ “  Šthis€language€is€used€elsewhere€in€the€Rules,€such€as€in€sectionŠ ` ° Š(c)€of€Rule€2„504.2,€Pretrial€Conference.€€Mr.€Sykes€suggestedŠ  \  Šthat€the€word€š šmanifestšš€be€eliminated,€and€the€Committee€agreedŠ ø  Šwith€this€suggestion€by€consensus.€€Š d“  Šą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€said€that€she€and€Mr.€Klein€had€discussed€theŠ `  Špotential€for€adding€a€hierarchy€into€Rule€2„504.€€Mr.€KleinŠ ¼  Šadded€that€one€of€his€partners€complained€about€the€fact€that€theŠ hø Šscheduling€order€does€not€provide€for€dates€by€which€experts€mustŠ d Šbe€deposed€or€the€sequence€by€which€experts€must€be€deposed.€€InŠ Ą Šthe€absence€of€a€scheduling€order€specifically€directingŠ l¼ Šotherwise,€some€plaintiff€attorneys€have€been€known€to€insist€onŠ h Štaking€depositions€of€defense€experts€before€any€plaintiffššsŠ Ä Šexpert€has€been€deposed.€€Mr.€Klein€suggested€that€the€followingŠ pĄ  Šlanguage€be€added€to€subsection€(b)(2)€of€Rule€2„504:€š ša€date€byŠ !l" Šwhich€the€deposition€of€any€person€whom€the€plaintiff€expects€toŠ Č"$ Šcall€as€an€expert€witness€at€trial€must€be€completed,€and€one€orŠ t$Ä& Šmore€later€dates€by€which€the€deposition€of€any€person€whom€anyŠ  &p!( Šother€party€expects€to€call€as€an€expert€witness€at€trial€must€beŠ Ģ'#* Šcompleted.šš€€This€would€cover€third„party€defendants.€€The€ViceŠ x)Č$, ŠChair€pointed€out€that€the€language€suggested€by€Mr.€Klein€thatŠ $+t&. Šreads€š šone€or€morešš€tracks€the€language€of€subsections€(b)(1)(B)Š Š, (0 Šand€(b)(1)(C).€€ą  ąŠ |.Ģ)2 Šą  ąJudge€Heller€commented€that€Mr.€Kleinššs€proposal€would€workŠ ° Šin€medical€malpractice€cases.€€She€asked€if€a€generic€schedulingŠ \¬ Šorder€would€cover€a€minor€traffic€accident€to€a€complex€case.€Š X ŠMr.€Michael€remarked€that€the€other€side€of€the€fence€is€that€inŠ “  Ša€multi„party€setting,€numerous€defense€attorneys€would€have€toŠ ` ° Šbe€coordinated.€€It€may€be€difficult€to€arrange€the€depositionsŠ  \  Šof€experts€within€the€time€frame€set€out€in€the€scheduling€order.€Š ø  ŠThere€are€often€motions€to€strike,€and€plaintiffs€may€drag€theirŠ d“  Šfeet.€€He€asked€if€plaintiff€attorneys€frequently€are€takingŠ `  Šdepositions€of€defendantsšš€experts€before€the€plaintiffsšš€expertsŠ ¼  Šare€deposed.€€Mr.€Klein€replied€that€this€is€not€a€problem€ofŠ hø Šepidemic€magnitude.€€Mr.€Michael€observed€that€to€do€so€is€notŠ d Šsmart€economics.€Š Ą Šą  ąThe€Committee€remanded€the€Rule€as€amended€to€theŠ l¼ ŠSubcommittee€in€conjunction€with€the€remand€of€Rule€2„341.Š h ŠÓÓĢAgenda€Item€3.€€Consideration€of€proposed€amendments€to:€€Rule€Š šź Š€€2„126€(Process€„€Return)€and€Rule€3„126€(Process€„€Return)Š pĄ  Š_________________________________________________________________Š F –! ŠĢÓÓą  ąBecause€the€Chair€of€the€Process,€Parties,€and€PleadingŠ ņ!B# ŠSubcommittee€was€not€present,€the€Reporter€presented€Rules€2„126Š ž#ī% Šand€3„126,€Process€„€Return.Š J%š ' ŠŅ` °ŅŅ` °ŅÓÓŌ‡ Xģ‡XX Xģ‡ŌĢą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ Ģ'#* ŠĢą@P P ģąTITLE€2€„€CIVIL€PROCEDURE€„€CIRCUIT€COURTˆŠ x)Č$, ŠĢą@Œ Œ ģąCHAPTER€100€„€COMMENCEMENT€OF€ACTION€ANDˆŠ $+t&. ŠĢą@HH'ģąPROCESSˆŠ Š, (0 ŠĢŠ |.Ģ)2 Šą ø ąAMEND€Rule€2„126€to€add€language€toŠ ° Šsections€(a)€and€(b)€requiring€individualsŠ †Ö Šserving€process€to€provide€certainŠ \¬ Šinformation,€as€follows:Š 2‚ ŠĢĢRule€2-126.€€PROCESS€„€RETURN€Š “  ŠĢĢ€€(a)€€Service€by€Delivery€or€MailŠ 6 †  ŠĢą ø ą€€An€individual€making€service€ofŠ ā 2  Šprocess€by€delivery€or€mailing€shall€fileŠ ø  Šproof€of€the€service€with€the€court€promptlyŠ ŽŽ  Šand€in€any€event€within€the€time€during€whichŠ d“  Šthe€person€served€must€respond€to€theŠ :Š  Šprocess.€€The€proof€shall€set€out€the€name€ofŠ `  Šthe€person€served,€the€date,€and€theŠ ę6 Šparticular€place€and€manner€of€service.€€IfŠ ¼  Šservice€is€by€certified€mail,€the€proof€shallŠ ’ā Šinclude€the€original€return€receipt.€€IfŠ hø Šservice€is€made€by€an€individual€other€than€aŠ >Ž Šsheriff,€the€individual€shall€file€proofŠ d Šunder€affidavit€which€shall€also€ņņprovide€theŠ ź: Šname,€address,€and€telephone€number€of€theŠ Ą ŠŌ_ŌaffiantŌ_Ō€andóó€state€that€ņņtheóó€Ō_ŌaffiantŌ_Ō€is€of€theŠ –ę Šage€of€18€or€over.€€Š l¼ ŠĢ€€(b)€€Service€by€Publication€or€PostingŠ h ŠĢą ø ą€€An€individual€making€service€ofŠ Ä Šprocess€pursuant€to€Rule€2-122€shall€ņņprovideŠ šź Što€the€court€the€individualššs€name,€address,Š pĄ  Šand€telephone€number€and€shallóó€file€with€theŠ F –! Šcourt€proof€of€compliance€with€the€RuleŠ !l" Štogether€with€a€copy€of€the€publication€orŠ ņ!B# Šposted€notice€promptly€and€in€any€eventŠ Č"$ Šwithin€the€time€during€which€the€personŠ ž#ī% Šnotified€must€respond.€€The€certificate€ofŠ t$Ä& Šthe€publisher€constitutes€proof€ofŠ J%š ' Špublication.€€Š  &p!( ŠĢ€€(c)€€Other€ProcessŠ Ģ'#* ŠĢą ø ą€€When€process€requires€for€itsŠ x)Č$, Šexecution€a€method€other€than€or€in€additionŠ N*ž%- Što€delivery€or€mailing,€or€publication€orŠ $+t&. Šposting€pursuant€to€Rule€2-122,€the€returnŠ ś+J'/ Šshall€be€filed€in€the€manner€prescribed€byŠ Š, (0 Šrule€or€law€promptly€after€execution€of€theŠ ¦-ö(1 Šprocess.€€Š |.Ģ)2 Š‡€€(d)€€Service€Not€MadeŠ ° ŠĢą ø ą€€An€individual€unable€to€make€serviceŠ \¬ Šof€process€in€accordance€with€these€rulesŠ 2‚ Šshall€file€a€return€as€soon€thereafter€asŠ X Špracticable€and€in€no€event€later€than€tenŠ Ž. Šdays€following€the€termination€of€theŠ “  Švalidity€of€the€process.€€Š Š Ś ŠĢ€€(e)€€Return€to€Include€ProcessŠ 6 †  ŠĢą ø ą€€A€return€shall€include€a€copy€of€theŠ ā 2  Šprocess€if€served€and€the€original€process€ifŠ ø  Šnot€served.€€Š ŽŽ  ŠĢ€€(f)€€Place€of€ReturnŠ :Š  ŠĢą ø ą€€In€every€instance€the€return€shall€beŠ ę6 Šfiled€with€the€court€issuing€process.€€InŠ ¼  Šaddition,€when€a€writ€of€attachment,€a€writŠ ’ā Šof€execution,€or€any€other€writ€againstŠ hø Šproperty€is€executed€in€another€county,€aŠ >Ž Šreturn€shall€be€filed€with€the€court€of€thatŠ d Šcounty.€€Š ź: ŠĢ€€(g)€€Effect€of€Failure€to€Make€Proof€ofŠ –ę ŠServiceą0  ąŠl¼xx ŠĢ€€€€€€€Failure€to€make€proof€of€service€doesŠ h Šnot€affect€the€validity€of€the€service.€€Š ī> ŠSource:€€This€Rule€is€derived€as€follows:€€Š Ä Š€€Section€(a)€is€derived€from€former€RulesŠ šź Š104€b€2,€107€a€2€and€116€c€1€and€2.€€Š pĄ  Š€€Section€(b)€is€derived€from€former€Rule€105Š F –! Šb€1€(a)€and€b€2.€€Š !l" Š€€Section€(c)€is€new.€€Š ņ!B# Š€€Section€(d)€is€new.€€Š Č"$ Š€€Section€(e)€is€new.€€Š ž#ī% Š€€Section€(f)€is€derived€from€former€RulesŠ t$Ä& Š104€a€(2)€and€622€h€2.€€€€Š J%š ' Š€€Section€(g)€is€derived€from€the€1980Š  &p!( Šversion€of€Ō_ŌFed.R.Civ.P.Ō_Ō€4€(g)€and€formerŠ ö&F") ŠRules€104€h€3€(c)€and€116€c€3.€€Š Ģ'#* ŠĢĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` Ņą  ąRule€2„126€was€accompanied€by€the€following€Reporterššs€Note.Š N*ž%- ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą ø ąThe€Process,€Parties€&€PleadingŠ ś+J'/ ŠSubcommittee€recommends€adding€language€toŠ Š, (0 Šsections€(a)€and€(b)€of€Rules€2„126€and€3„126Š ¦-ö(1 Šbecause€Master€Richard€J.€Gilbert€of€theŠ |.Ģ)2 ŠCircuit€Court€for€Baltimore€County€hasŠ ° Šrequested€that€individuals€serving€process€beŠ †Ö Šrequired€to€include€their€name,€address,€andŠ \¬ Štelephone€number€with€the€affidavit€ofŠ 2‚ Šservice.€€He€had€a€modification€of€custodyŠ X Šcase€involving€an€order€of€default€againstŠ Ž. Šthe€mother€in€which€the€fatherššs€girl€friendŠ “  Šhad€served€the€motion.€€This€was€not€evidentŠ Š Ś Šfrom€the€affidavit€and€only€came€to€lightŠ ` ° Šfrom€the€fatherššs€testimony€at€the€hearing.€Š 6 †  ŠMaster€Gilbert€pointed€out€there€is€noŠ  \  Šhardship€in€requiring€this€information€fromŠ ā 2  Šthe€Ō_ŌaffiantŌ_Ō,€and€it€could€be€useful€later€ifŠ ø  Šthere€are€questions€relating€to€the€manner€ofŠ ŽŽ  Šservice.Š d“  ŠŌ#† Xģ‡XX Xģ‡†ō#ŌĢĢĢĢĢĢŌ‡ Xģ‡XX Xģ‡Ōą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ >Ž ŠĢą@P P ģąTITLE€3€„€CIVIL€PROCEDURE„„DISTRICT€COURTˆŠ ź: ŠĢą@P P ģąCHAPTER€100€„€COMMENCEMENT€OF€ACTION€AND€ˆŠ –ę ŠĢą@HH'ģąPROCESSˆŠ B’ ŠĢĢą ø ąAMEND€Rule€3„126€to€add€language€toŠ Ä Šsections€(a)€and€(b)€requiring€individualsŠ šź Šserving€process€to€provide€certainŠ pĄ  Šinformation,€as€follows:Š F –! ŠĢĢRule€3-126.€€PROCESS€„€RETURN€Š Č"$ ŠĢĢ€€(a)€€Service€by€Delivery€or€MailŠ J%š ' ŠĢą ø ą€€An€individual€making€service€ofŠ ö&F") Šprocess€by€delivery€or€mailing€shall€fileŠ Ģ'#* Šproof€of€the€service€with€the€court€promptlyŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šand€in€any€event€within€the€time€during€whichŠ x)Č$, Šthe€person€served€must€respond€to€theŠ N*ž%- Šprocess.€€If€service€by€certified€mail€isŠ $+t&. Šmade€by€the€clerk,€the€receipt€returnedŠ ś+J'/ Šthrough€the€Post€Office€shall€be€promptlyŠ Š, (0 Šfiled€by€the€clerk€as€proof€of€service.€€TheŠ ¦-ö(1 Šproof€shall€set€out€the€name€of€the€personŠ |.Ģ)2 Šserved,€the€date,€and€the€particular€placeŠ ° Šand€manner€of€service.€€If€service€is€made€byŠ †Ö Šan€individual€other€than€a€sheriff€or€clerk,Š \¬ Šthe€individual€shall€file€proof€underŠ 2‚ Šaffidavit€which€shall€also€ņņprovide€the€name,Š X Šaddress,€and€telephone€number€of€the€Ō_ŌaffiantŌ_ŌŠ Ž. Šandóó€state€that€Ō_ŌaffiantŌ_Ō€is€of€the€age€of€18€orŠ “  Šoverņ ņ,€and€ifó óņņ.€€Ifóó€service€is€by€certifiedŠ Š Ś Šmail,€the€proof€shall€include€the€originalŠ ` ° Šreturn€receipt.€€Š 6 †  ŠĢ€€(b)€€Service€by€Publication€or€PostingŠ ā 2  ŠĢą ø ą€€An€individual€making€service€ofŠ ŽŽ  Šprocess€pursuant€to€Rule€2-122€shall€ņņprovideŠ d“  Što€the€court€the€individualššs€name,€address,Š :Š  Šand€telephone€number€and€shallóó€file€with€theŠ `  Šcourt€proof€of€compliance€with€the€RuleŠ ę6 Štogether€with€a€copy€of€the€publication€orŠ ¼  Šposting€notice€promptly€and€in€any€eventŠ ’ā Šwithin€the€time€during€which€the€personŠ hø Šnotified€must€respond.€€The€certificate€ofŠ >Ž Šthe€publisher€constitutes€proof€ofŠ d Špublication.€€Š ź: ŠĢ€€(c)€€Other€ProcessŠ –ę ŠĢą ø ą€€When€process€requires€for€itsŠ B’ Šexecution€a€method€other€than€or€in€additionŠ h Što€delivery€or€mailing,€or€publication€orŠ ī> Šposting€pursuant€to€Rule€2-122,€the€returnŠ Ä Šshall€be€filed€in€the€manner€prescribed€byŠ šź Šrule€or€law€promptly€after€execution€of€theŠ pĄ  Šprocess.€€Š F –! ŠĢ€€(d)€€Service€Not€MadeŠ ņ!B# ŠĢą ø ą€€An€individual€unable€to€make€serviceŠ ž#ī% Šof€process€in€accordance€with€these€rulesŠ t$Ä& Šshall€file€a€return€as€soon€thereafter€asŠ J%š ' Špracticable€and€in€no€event€later€than€tenŠ  &p!( Šdays€following€the€termination€of€theŠ ö&F") Švalidity€of€the€process.€€Š Ģ'#* ŠĢ€€(e)€€Return€to€Include€ProcessŠ x)Č$, ŠĢą ø ą€€A€return€shall€include€a€copy€of€theŠ $+t&. Šprocess€if€served€and€the€original€process€ifŠ ś+J'/ Šnot€served.€€Š Š, (0 ŠĢ€€(f)€€Place€of€ReturnŠ |.Ģ)2 Š‡ą ø ą€€In€every€instance€the€return€€shall€beŠ ° Šfiled€with€the€court€issuing€process.€€InŠ †Ö Šaddition,€when€a€writ€of€attachment,€a€writŠ \¬ Šof€execution,€or€any€other€writ€againstŠ 2‚ Šproperty€is€executed€in€another€county,€aŠ X Šreturn€shall€be€filed€with€the€court€of€thatŠ Ž. Šcounty.€€Š “  ŠĢ€€(g)€€Effect€of€Failure€to€Make€Proof€ofŠ ` ° ŠServiceŠ 6 †  ŠĢą ø ą€€Failure€to€make€proof€of€service€doesŠ ā 2  Šnot€affect€the€validity€of€the€service.€€Š ø  ŠĢSource:€€This€Rule€is€derived€as€follows:€€Š d“  Š€€Section€(a)€is€derived€from€former€Ō_ŌM.D.R.Ō_ŌŠ :Š  Š104€b€2€and€h€3€(a),€107€a€2€and€116€c€1€andŠ `  Š2.€€Š ę6 Š€€Section€(b)€is€derived€from€former€Rule€105Š ¼  Šb€1€(a)€and€b€2.€€Š ’ā Š€€Section€(c)€is€new.€€Š hø Š€€Section€(d)€is€derived€from€former€Ō_ŌM.D.R.Ō_ŌŠ >Ž Š103€d€2.€€Š d Š€€Section€(e)€is€new.€€Š ź: Š€€Section€(f)€is€derived€from€former€Ō_ŌM.D.R.Ō_ŌŠ Ą Š104€a€(ii)€and€622€h€2.€€Š –ę Š€€Section€(g)€is€derived€from€the€1980Š l¼ Šversion€of€Ō_ŌFed.R.Civ.P.Ō_Ō€4€(g)€and€formerŠ B’ ŠŌ_ŌM.D.R.Ō_Ō€104€h€3€(c)€and€116€c€3.Š h ŠĢĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` Ņą  ąRule€3„126€was€accompanied€by€the€following€Reporterššs€Note.Š šź ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą ø ąSee€the€Reporterššs€Note€to€Rule€2„126.Š F –! ŠŌ#† Xģ‡XX Xģ‡ˆ #ŌĢĢŅ°` ŅŅ°` ŅÓÓą  ąThe€Reporter€explained€that€Master€Richard€J.€Gilbert€of€theŠ Č"$ ŠCircuit€Court€for€Baltimore€County€had€requested€that€individualsŠ t$Ä& Šserving€process€be€required€to€include€their€name,€address,€andŠ  &p!( Štelephone€number€with€the€affidavit€of€service.€€The€SubcommitteeŠ Ģ'#* Šagreed€with€Master€Gilbert.€€Mr.€Klein€asked€whether€theŠ x)Č$, Štelephone€number€should€be€the€business€or€home€number.€€The€ViceŠ $+t&. ŠChair€pointed€out€that€section€(a)€of€Rule€1„311,€Signing€ofŠ Š, (0 ŠPleadings€and€Other€Papers,€provides:€š šEvery€pleading€or€paperŠ |.Ģ)2 Šfiled€shall€contain€the€address€and€telephone€number€of€theŠ ° Šperson€by€whom€it€is€signed.šš€€She€said€that€she€had€never€seenŠ \¬ Šproof€of€service€by€a€private€process€server€that€did€not€haveŠ X Šthe€name€and€telephone€number€of€the€person€serving€the€process.€Š “  ŠRule€1„311€requires€a€telephone€number,€but€does€not€specifyŠ ` ° Šwhether€it€is€a€business€or€home€number.Š  \  Šą  ąJudge€Norton€expressed€the€opinion€that€the€proposed€changeŠ ø  Što€the€Rules€is€a€good€idea.€€Section€(a)€of€Rules€2„121€and€Š d“  Š3„121,€Process€š!š€Service€š!š€In€Personam,€was€changed€to€allowŠ `  Šanyone€who€is€a€resident€of€an€abode,€but€who€is€not€theŠ ¼  Šdefendant€being€served,€to€accept€service€on€behalf€of€theŠ hø Šdefendant€if€the€resident€is€š šof€suitable€age€and€discretion.ššŠ d ŠHowever,€there€often€is€no€information€as€to€the€identity€of€theŠ Ą Šperson€who€accepted€service.€€It€is€helpful€to€tighten€up€theŠ l¼ ŠRules€regarding€information€about€the€process€server.€€The€ViceŠ h ŠChair€suggested€that€Rules€2„126€and€3„126€also€be€modified€toŠ Ä Šstate€that€if€the€process€server€served€someone€other€than€theŠ pĄ  Šdefendant,€then€the€process€server€must€state€who€was€served€andŠ !l" Šhow€the€process€server€concluded€that€the€person€served€is€ofŠ Č"$ Šsuitable€age€and€discretion.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensusŠ t$Ä& Što€this€suggestion.Š  &p!( Šą  ąBy€consensus,€the€Committee€approved€the€changes€to€Rules€Š Ģ'#* Š2„126€and€3„126€as€amended.€€€Š x)Č$, Šą  ąThe€Vice€Chair€adjourned€the€meeting.Š $+t&. Š