’WPCÅ D)„/›¢×±ܘB‰BéUn«Č5ȃÄ+Ē(\7éĢ3Rܞ žy“,ŠV.jā\Õ}¶-Õ¼Kv]֎Z¢O-:µK{Źq¾ĪE1CŒ““ †ž„wńК/’”¼ķ«·¼ņ÷Lqzx²§sRWēæ< š¢¤ŁŃę½ė˜mųKˆ# ‹“LHøē9Ą„­,č ņĒ(]ü<>ėR’ ˜ųÕmwI¢‡śŌøņ3Pŗ,P÷÷gńĘhS•ī«Łč܅¾Ø‡— o2Tģ'–lœ‡$ų²8š€É'AŃS…Õčœ&a‘*tĀqÉ^ĘÕ§rO|ų«ųEÓÆä\•ɃLRøOl!=§ĆMę)‰Ūæ•ĄŠ”ŚøŠjŠSŚ·“;2Y–ōlLAK ]ϵW¤ElˆY»I ō|K¤sUe˜LļōęN¢ÄÅ» ϱKėŠua†‘āĒymgkõš-<ā? aÆ>ķQ‡œ˜ŠuyKÉęėDtÅė#)¢5v.†ż,… /]£„Ć«põ•&™š-š­Ī µ(_2ø*^7ļņå†Ē»BÅ‹ż-œZ#pMģŽk@Ō ƒ¾½Ć>#ĮŅUN“ %į 0:ē^ !w-41ET mVNmUFobµ½˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL$,,,,$0(ÖĆ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$””ŌUSUS.,ŌFrŽ+ā ƒ~+™docsDOCS3|x!’U‹’ĄĄĄ<4šŪ 9Z+‹.Courier New Regular- ł- Ż ƒüœ!ŻŌUSUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŃX°ŃŌ€ X,ÖXXXŌŃ€ ŃŃ8€š\XXdģdČ8ŃŃ  Ńą@ø ø ģąCOURT€OF€APPEALS€STANDING€COMMITTEEˆŠ ° Šą@ō ō ģąņņON€RULES€OF€PRACTICE€AND€PROCEDUREóóˆŠ †Ö ŠĢĢĢÓÓą  ąMinutes€of€a€meeting€of€the€Rules€Committee€held€at€theŠ Ž. ŠWakefield€Valley€Golf€and€Conference€Center,€1000€Ō_ŌFenbyŌ_Ō€FarmŠ Š Ś ŠRoad,€Westminster,€Maryland€on€October€12,€2001.Š 6 †  ŠÓÓĢą  ąMembers€present:Š ø  ŠĢHon.€Joseph€F.€Murphy,€Jr.,€ChairŠ d“  ŠĢLowell€R.€Bowen,€Esq.ą0 h ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąą0Ą(#Ą(#ąHon.€John€F.€Ō_ŌMcAuliffeŌ_ŌŠ` (#(# ŠAlbert€D.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō,€Esq.ą0 h ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąą0Ą(#Ą(#ąHon.€William€D.€MissouriŠę6(#(# ŠRobert€L.€Dean,€Esq.ą0 h ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąą0Ą(#Ą(#ąMelvin€J.€Sykes,€Esq.м (#(# ŠHon.€James€W.€Drydeną0 h ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąą0Ą(#Ą(#ąRoger€W.€Titus,€Esq.Š’ā(#(# ŠHon.€Ellen€M.€Hellerą0 h ąą0Ąh(#h(#ąą0Ą(#Ą(#ąHon.€James€N.€VaughanŠhø(#(# ŠŌ_ŌBayardŌ_Ō€Z.€Ō_ŌHochbergŌ_Ō,€Esq.Š >Ž ŠHarry€S.€Johnson,€Esq.Š d ŠHon.€Joseph€H.€H.€KaplanŠ ź: ŠĢĢą  ąIn€attendance:Š l¼ ŠĢSandra€F.€Haines,€Esq.,€ReporterŠ h ŠŌ_ŌSherieŌ_Ō€B.€Libber,€Esq.,€Assistant€ReporterŠ ī> ŠBecky€K.€Feldman,€Rules€Committee€InternŠ Ä ŠCharles€Ō_ŌMouldenŌ_Ō,€Assistant€Chief€Clerk,€District€CourtŠ šź ŠHon.€Steven€I.€Platt,€Circuit€Court€for€Prince€Georgeššs€CountyŠ pĄ  ŠPatricia€H.€Platt,€Chief€Clerk,€District€CourtŠ F –! ŠWilbur€D.€Preston,€Jr.,€Esq.,€Chairman,€Business€and€Technology€Š !l" Š€€Court€in€MarylandŠ ņ!B# ŠSteven€E.€Tiller,€Esq.Š Č"$ ŠHon.€Michael€D.€Mason,€Circuit€Court€for€Montgomery€CountyŠ ž#ī% ŠAlice€N.€Lucan,€Esq.Š t$Ä& ŠFrank€Ō_ŌBroccolinaŌ_Ō,€State€Court€AdministratorŠ J%š ' ŠAlbert€D.€š šŌ_ŌBuzŌ_Ōšš€Winchester,€III,€Ō_ŌM.S.B.A.Ō_Ō,€Director€ofŠ  &p!( Š€€Legislative€RelationsŠ ö&F") ŠĢĢÓÓą  ąThe€Chair€convened€the€meeting.€€He€told€the€Committee€thatŠ x)Č$, Šthe€Court€of€Appeals€held€a€conference€on€October€9,€2001€toŠ $+t&. Šconsider€the€remainder€of€the€149ņņthóó€Report.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€was€Š  Š, (0 Špresent€and,€following€his€skillful€handling€of€the€discussion€ofŠ ° ŠRules€4.2,€Communication€with€Person€Represented€by€Counsel,€andŠ \¬ Š4.4,€Respect€for€Rights€of€Third€Persons,€the€Court€approved€ofŠ X Šthe€amendments€to€those€Rules.€€Rules€2„124€and€3„124,€bothŠ “  Šentitled€Process€„„€Persons€to€be€Served,€were€deferred€forŠ ` ° Šfurther€consideration€by€the€Court.€€A€Court€of€Appeals€CommitteeŠ  \  Šwill€draft€a€revised€version€of€the€Pro€Bono€Rules,€because€thereŠ ø  Šwas€no€consensus€on€the€Court€as€to€any€of€the€three€versions€ofŠ d“  Šthose€Rules€transmitted€with€the€149ņņthóó€Report.€€The€final€productŠ `  Šprobably€will€contain€a€provision€for€fewer€local€Pro€BonoŠ ¼  ŠCommittees,€and€a€reduction€in€judicial€involvement€in€the€ProŠ hø ŠBono€committees.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€noted€that€another€issue€to€beŠ d Šdetermined€is€mandatory€reporting€of€Pro€Bono€activities€andŠ Ą Šwhether€failure€to€report€would€result€in€automaticŠ l¼ Šdecertification.€Š h ŠÓÓĢAgenda€Item€1.€€Consideration€of€proposed€new€Rule€16„506Š šź Š€€(Electronic€Filing€of€Pleadings€and€Papers)€and€a€proposedŠ pĄ  Š€€amendment€to€Rule€1„322€(Filing€of€Pleadings€and€Other€PapersŠ F –! Š________________________________________________________________Š !l" ŠĢĢÓÓą  ąThe€Chair€announced€that€Judge€Vaughan€is€the€new€ChiefŠ ž#ī% ŠJudge€of€the€District€Court€of€Maryland.€€Unfortunately,€thisŠ J%š ' Šmeans€that€he€will€no€longer€be€able€to€serve€on€the€RulesŠ ö&F") ŠCommittee.€€The€Chair€offered€his€congratulations€and€best€wishesŠ ¢(ņ#+ Što€Chief€Judge€Vaughan€on€his€promotion.€€The€Chair€said€thatŠ N*ž%- Šalso€present€to€discuss€Agenda€Item€1€were€Patricia€Platt,€ChiefŠ ś+J'/ ŠClerk€of€the€District€Court;€Charles€Ō_ŌMouldenŌ_Ō,€Assistant€forŠ ¦-ö(1 ŠOperations€of€the€District€Court;€and€Alice€Ō_ŌNeffŌ_Ō€Lucan,€Esq.,€whoŠ ° Šrepresents€the€Maryland,€Delaware,€and€D.C.€Press€Association.Š \¬ Šą  ąThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„506,€Electronic€Filing€ofŠ X ŠPleadings€and€Papers,€for€the€Committeeššs€consideration.€€Š “  ŠÓÓĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ 6 †  ŠĢą@Œ Œ ģąTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆŠ ā 2  ŠĢą@@ @ ģąCHAPTER€500€„€COURT€ADMINISTRATION€š"š€ˆŠ ŽŽ  ŠĢą@¤¤#ģąDISTRICT€COURTˆŠ :Š  ŠĢĢą ø ąADD€new€Rule€16„506,€as€follows:Š ¼  ŠĢĢRule€16„506.€€ELECTRONIC€FILING€OF€PLEADINGSŠ >Ž ŠAND€PAPERSŠ d ŠĢĢ€€(a)€€Applicability;€Conflicts€with€OtherŠ –ę ŠRulesŠ l¼ ŠĢ€€€€€€€This€Rule€applies€to€the€electronicŠ h Šfiling€of€pleadings€and€papers.€€A€pleadingŠ ī> Šor€paper€may€not€be€filed€by€directŠ Ä Šelectronic€transmission€to€the€court€exceptŠ šź Šin€accordance€with€this€Rule.€€To€the€extentŠ pĄ  Šof€any€inconsistency€with€any€other€Rule,Š F –! Šthis€Rule€and€any€administrative€orderŠ !l" Šentered€pursuant€to€it€shall€prevail.€€Š ņ!B# ŠĢ€€(b)€€Submission€of€PlanŠ ž#ī% ŠĢ€€€€€€€The€Chief€Judge€of€the€District€CourtŠ J%š ' Šmay€submit€to€the€Court€of€Appeals€forŠ  &p!( Šapproval€a€detailed€plan€for€a€pilot€projectŠ ö&F") Šfor€the€electronic€filing€of€pleadings€andŠ Ģ'#* Špapers.€€The€plan€must€provide€for€theŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šprotection€of€privacy€and€must€be€availableŠ x)Č$, Šfor€use€by€litigants€and€attorneys€at€aŠ N*ž%- Šreasonable€cost.€€In€developing€the€plan,€theŠ $+t&. ŠChief€Judge€shall€consult€with€the€DistrictŠ ś+J'/ ŠAdministrative€Judge€and€the€DistrictŠ Š, (0 ŠAdministrative€Clerk€of€the€district(s)Š ¦-ö(1 Šaffected,€the€District€Court€Chief€Clerk,Š |.Ģ)2 Šappropriate€vendors,€the€State€CourtŠ ° ŠAdministrator,€and€any€other€judges,€courtŠ †Ö Šclerks,€members€of€the€bar,€vendors€ofŠ \¬ Šelectronic€filing€systems,€and€interestedŠ 2‚ Špersons€as€the€Chief€Judge€shall€choose€inŠ X Šorder€to€ensure€that€(1)€the€proposedŠ Ž. Šelectronic€filing€system€will€be€compatibleŠ “  Šwith€(A)€the€data€processing€and€operationalŠ Š Ś Šsystems€used€by€the€Judiciary,€and€(B)Š ` ° Šelectronic€filing€systems€that€may€beŠ 6 †  Šinstalled€by€other€courts;€(2)€theŠ  \  Šinstallation€and€use€of€the€proposed€systemŠ ā 2  Šwill€not€create€any€undue€financial€orŠ ø  Šoperational€burdens€on€the€District€Court;Š ŽŽ  Š(3)€the€proposed€system€is€reasonablyŠ d“  Šavailable€for€use€by€litigants€and€attorneysŠ :Š  Šat€a€reasonable€cost,€or€an€efficient€andŠ `  Šcompatible€system€of€manual€filing€shall€beŠ ę6 Šmaintained;€(4)€the€proposed€system€will€beŠ ¼  Šeffective,€secure,€and€not€likely€to€breakŠ ’ā Šdown;€(5)€the€proposed€system€makesŠ hø Šappropriate€provision€for€the€protection€ofŠ >Ž Šprivacy;€and€(6)€the€court€can€discard€orŠ d Šreplace€the€system€during€or€at€theŠ ź: Šconclusion€of€a€trial€period€without€undueŠ Ą Šfinancial€or€operational€burden.€€The€StateŠ –ę ŠCourt€Administrator€shall€make€aŠ l¼ Šrecommendation€to€the€Court€of€Appeals€withŠ B’ Šrespect€to€the€plan.Š h ŠĢ€€(c)€€Approval;€DurationŠ Ä ŠĢ€€€€€€€A€plan€may€not€be€implemented€unlessŠ pĄ  Šapproved€by€administrative€order€of€the€CourtŠ F –! Šof€Appeals.€€The€plan€shall€terminate€twoŠ !l" Šyears€after€the€date€of€the€administrativeŠ ņ!B# Šorder€approving€it€unless€terminated€earlierŠ Č"$ Šor€extended€by€a€subsequent€administrativeŠ ž#ī% Šorder.€€Š t$Ä& ŠĢ€€(d)€€EvaluationŠ  &p!( ŠĢ€€€€The€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€AppealsŠ Ģ'#* Šshall€appoint€a€committee€consisting€of€oneŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šor€more€judges,€court€clerks,€lawyers,€legalŠ x)Č$, Šeducators,€bar€association€representatives,Š N*ž%- Šand€other€interested€and€knowledgeableŠ $+t&. Špersons€to€monitor€and€evaluate€the€plan.€Š ś+J'/ ŠPrior€to€the€expiration€of€the€two-yearŠ Š, (0 Šperiod€set€forth€in€section€c€of€this€Rule,Š ¦-ö(1 Šthe€Court€of€Appeals,€after€considering€theŠ |.Ģ)2 Šrecommendations€of€the€committee,€shallŠ ° Ševaluate€the€operation€of€the€plan.€€Š †Ö ŠĢ€€(e)€€Extension,€Modification,€or€Š 2‚ ŠTerminationŠ X ŠĢ€€€€€€€By€administrative€order,€the€Court€ofŠ “  ŠAppeals€may€extend,€modify,€or€terminate€aŠ Š Ś Šplan€at€any€time.€€Š ` ° ŠĢ€€(f)€€Public€Availability€of€PlanŠ  \  ŠĢ€€€€€€€The€Chief€Clerk€of€the€District€CourtŠ ø  Šshall€make€available€for€public€inspection€aŠ ŽŽ  Šcopy€of€any€current€plan.€€Š d“  ŠĢSource:€€This€Rule€is€new.Š `  ŠĢĢҰ` ŅҰ` Ņą  ąRule€16„506€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterššsŠ ’ā ŠĢNote.Š >Ž ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą ø ąThe€Honorable€Martha€F.€Ō_ŌRasinŌ_Ō,€ChiefŠ ź: ŠJudge€of€the€District€Court€of€Maryland€hasŠ Ą Šrequested€a€rule€applicable€in€DistrictŠ –ę ŠCourt,€which€is€similar€to€Rule€16„307,Š l¼ ŠElectronic€Filing€of€Pleadings€and€Papers,€aŠ B’ Šcircuit€court€rule.€€This€will€provide€aŠ h Špilot€project€for€the€electronic€filing€ofŠ ī> Špleadings€and€papers€to€be€instituted€inŠ Ä ŠDistrict€Court.Š šź ŠĢĢҰ` ŅҰ` ŅÓÓą  ąChief€Judge€Vaughan€stated€that€he€had€been€a€member€of€theŠ !l" ŠGeneral€Court€Administration€Subcommittee€when€the€Rule€wasŠ Č"$ Šdrafted.€€The€proposed€Rule€tracks€Rule€16„307,€Electronic€FilingŠ t$Ä& Šof€Pleadings€and€Papers,€applicable€in€the€circuit€court.€Š  &p!( ŠApproval€of€the€new€Rule€would€allow€the€District€Court€theŠ Ģ'#* Šopportunity€to€proceed€with€an€experimental€program€in€PrinceŠ x)Č$, ŠGeorgeššs€County€to€provide€for€electronic€filing€in€landlord„Š $+t&. Štenant€cases.€€Chief€Judge€Vaughan€expressed€the€concern€thatŠ Š, (0 Šthere€has€to€be€a€system€in€place€to€accommodate€those€personsŠ |.Ģ)2 Šwho€do€not€have€access€to€a€computer.Š ° Šą  ąMs.€Lucan€told€the€Committee€that€as€well€as€representingŠ \¬ Šthe€Press€Association,€she€also€is€a€member€of€the€Committee€onŠ X ŠAccess€to€Court€Records,€appointed€by€Chief€Judge€Robert€M.€Bell.€Š “  ŠThe€amendment€to€Rule€16„506€(b)€proposed€by€the€Maryland,Š ` ° ŠDelaware,€and€D.C.€Press€Association,€a€copy€of€which€amendmentŠ  \  Šhas€been€distributed€to€the€Committee€members€today,€isŠ ø  Šconsistent€with€the€recommendations€of€the€Task€Force.€€(SeeŠ d“  ŠAppendix€1).€€In€section€(b),€the€Rule€lists€six€considerationsŠ `  Šwhich€are€essential€to€the€framework€of€an€electronic€filingŠ ¼  Šsystem.€€The€proposed€amendment€would€add€a€new€(7)€to€this€list.€Š hø ŠThis€addition€is€parallel€to€and€consistent€with€the€other€itemsŠ d Šin€the€list.€€Anything€that€is€part€of€the€public€file,€which€isŠ Ą Šaccessible€in€a€paper€system,€should€be€accessible€in€anŠ l¼ Šelectronic€system.Š h Šą  ąJudge€Heller€commented€that€the€Circuit€Court€for€BaltimoreŠ Ä ŠCity€has€an€electronic€filing€system€for€approximately€20,000Š pĄ  Šasbestos€cases.€€When€the€system€was€designed,€the€planners€tookŠ !l" Špublic€access€into€consideration.€€The€current€resolution€to€theŠ Č"$ Šproblem€of€public€access€is€to€have€a€computer€provided€by€theŠ t$Ä& Švendor€available€in€the€courthouse,€so€that€anyone€can€come€inŠ  &p!( Šduring€daytime€hours€and€have€access€to€the€files.€€The€Ō_ŌSunpaperŌ_ŌŠ Ģ'#* Šnewspaper€is€concerned€that€the€information€in€the€files€shouldŠ x)Č$, Šbe€available€over€the€internet.€€However,€the€vendor€does€notŠ $+t&. Šwant€to€lose€funds€from€the€fees€people€pay€to€acquire€access.€Š Š, (0 ŠThe€Court€of€Appeals€has€already€approved€this€system.€€Ms.€LucanŠ |.Ģ)2 Šobserved€that€the€proposed€amendment€satisfies€the€public€accessŠ ° Šrequirement€and€does€not€dictate€that€there€be€a€choice€of€meansŠ \¬ Šof€access.€€Chief€Judge€Vaughan€said€that€the€law€provides€thatŠ X Špublic€access€is€required.€€Š “  Šą  ąThe€Chair€pointed€out€that€one€advantage€to€the€proposedŠ ` ° Šamendment€is€that€it€clarifies€that€access€to€everything€in€theŠ  \  Šfile€is€not€available,€protecting€what€is€not€public.€€TheŠ ø  Švendors€are€protected€from€piracy.€€Mr.€Sykes€remarked€that€theŠ d“  ŠHonorable€Paul€Alpert,€a€retired€Associate€Judge€of€the€Court€ofŠ `  ŠSpecial€Appeals,€is€chairing€the€Committee€on€Access€to€CourtŠ ¼  ŠRecords.€€Mr.€Sykes€asked€whether€the€proposed€Rule€is€consistentŠ hø Šwith€the€findings€of€this€committee€and€whether€it€can€beŠ d Šreconciled€with€privacy€protections.€€He€suggested€that€someoneŠ Ą Šcheck€with€Judge€Alpert€about€the€status€of€this€committee€to€getŠ l¼ Šthe€benefit€of€the€committeeššs€deliberations.€€The€ChairŠ h Šresponded€that€the€proposed€Rule€is€not€at€cross€purposes€withŠ Ä Šthe€work€of€the€committee.€€Mr.€Sykes€expressed€the€concern€thatŠ pĄ  Šno€one€should€be€able€to€find€anything€from€a€court€file€byŠ !l" Šclicking€on€oneššs€home€or€office€computer.€€Is€the€proposedŠ Č"$ Šamendment€to€the€Rule€couched€too€broadly?€€Judge€Heller€answeredŠ t$Ä& Šthat€the€breadth€of€the€language€should€not€have€an€effect€onŠ  &p!( Špublic€access,€because€it€does€not€provide€how€the€access€is€toŠ Ģ'#* Šbe€provided.€€She€reiterated€her€example€of€an€accessibleŠ x)Č$, Šcomputer€in€the€courthouse,€and€she€added€that€if€the€RulesŠ $+t&. ŠCommittee€wants€to€provide€for€internet€access€to€the€files,€theŠ Š, (0 Šlanguage€of€the€proposed€amendment€would€allow€this.€€€Š |.Ģ)2 Šą  ąMr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€questioned€as€to€whether€all€of€the€attorneysŠ ° Šhandling€asbestos€cases€in€Baltimore€City€have€a€terminalŠ \¬ Šallowing€access€to€the€asbestos€files.€€Judge€Heller€replied€thatŠ X Šall€of€the€attorneys€have€terminals,€but€this€is€not€mandatory.€Š “  ŠThe€attorneys€are€not€required€to€pay€access€fees€to€the€vendor.€Š ` ° ŠMr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€inquired€as€to€whether€any€newspaper€can€pay€forŠ  \  Šaccess,€and€Judge€Heller€answered€in€the€affirmative.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_ŌŠ ø  Šremarked€that€there€could€be€a€problem€with€confidential€orŠ d“  Šproprietary€information.€€Judge€Heller€responded€that€BaltimoreŠ `  ŠCity€has€a€detailed€plan€which€provides€that€confidentialŠ ¼  Šinformation€is€not€to€be€electronically€filed.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_ŌŠ hø Šinquired€as€to€whether€confidential€information€in€the€files€isŠ d Šsealed,€and€Judge€Heller€replied€that€it€is.€€She€stated€that€anyŠ Ą Šproblems€with€the€system€are€ironed€out€by€Ō_ŌCourtlinkŌ_Ō,€a€computerŠ l¼ Šbusiness.€€She€said€that€along€with€Chief€Judge€Vaughan,€she€hadŠ h Šattended€a€technology€conference€which€displayed€a€video€from€theŠ Ä ŠChief€Judge€of€Philadelphiaššs€district€court,€which€uses€e„filingŠ pĄ  Šin€the€entire€civil€system€for€small€claims€where€two„thirds€ofŠ !l" Šthe€docket€is€ņņproóó€ņņseóó.€€Š Č"$ Šą  ąMr.€Sykes€commented€that€there€should€be€no€less€publicŠ t$Ä& Šaccess€to€any€part€of€the€e„file€that€is€a€public€record€thanŠ  &p!( Šexists€at€the€present€time,€and€the€proposed€amendment€should€notŠ Ģ'#* Šbe€considered€as€expanding€or€contracting€access.€€Chief€JudgeŠ x)Č$, ŠVaughan€asked€what€Rule€16„307€provides€as€to€this€issue.€€TheŠ $+t&. ŠChair€answered€that€it€does€not€address€this€issue€and€may€haveŠ Š, (0 Što€be€amended.€€Chief€Judge€Vaughan€questioned€as€to€whether€theŠ |.Ģ)2 Šreference€to€privacy€in€subsection€(5)€of€section€(b)€of€Rule€16„Š ° Š506€should€be€deleted.€€Ms.€Lucan€said€that€her€agency€onlyŠ \¬ Šwished€to€add€another€item€to€the€list€in€section€(b)€but€notŠ X Štake€any€away.€€Š “  Šą  ąJudge€Missouri€stated€that€he€has€no€problem€with€theŠ ` ° Šlanguage€of€the€suggested€amendment,€and€he€feels€that€it€willŠ  \  Šnot€interfere€with€the€work€of€Judge€Alpertššs€committee.Š ø  Šą  ąJudge€Ō_ŌMcAuliffeŌ_Ō€suggested€that€the€language€š šand€publicŠ d“  Šaccess€to€public€recordsšš€could€be€added€to€subsection€(5)€ofŠ `  Šsection€(b),€placing€access€to€public€records€on€an€equal€footingŠ ¼  Šwith€the€protection€of€privacy.€€Mr.€Titus€suggested€adding€a€newŠ hø Šthird€sentence€to€section€(a)€which€would€read€as€follows:€€š šAŠ d Špleading€or€paper€filed€electronically€shall€be€equallyŠ Ą Šaccessible€to€the€same€extent€as€a€pleading€or€paper€filed€inŠ l¼ Špaper€form.šš€€The€Reporter€observed€that€one€of€the€problems€withŠ h Šelectronic€access€is€that€information€can€be€aggregated€andŠ Ä Šwidely€disseminated€over€the€Internet,€which€cannot€happenŠ pĄ  Šreadily€with€paper€access.€€Ms.€Lucan€commented€that€theŠ !l" Šadvantage€of€the€language€suggested€by€the€Press€Association€isŠ Č"$ Šthat€it€does€not€allow€for€discretion€or€decision„making,€whichŠ t$Ä& Šthe€word€š šappropriatešš€in€subsection€(5)€of€section€(b)€implies.€€Š  &p!( ŠThe€new€language€fits€better€into€the€list€of€objectives€of€theŠ Ģ'#* Šplan.€€Ms.€Lucan€said€that€she€objects€to€the€word€š šappropriate.šš€Š x)Č$, ŠJudge€Ō_ŌMcAuliffeŌ_Ō€responded€that€under€the€First€Amendment,Š $+t&. Šcontrary€to€the€absolutistsšš€view,€the€law€is€always€subject€toŠ Š, (0 Šappropriate€controls.€€Ms.€Lucan€responded€that€the€members€ofŠ |.Ģ)2 Šthe€Press€Association€are€not€absolutists.€€The€Chair€stated€thatŠ ° Šthe€term€š špublic€recordšš€is€a€defined€term€in€Code,€StateŠ \¬ ŠGovernment€Article,€šš10„611€(g).€Š X Šą  ąMr.€Sykes€commented€that€to€preserve€the€status€quo,€theŠ “  ŠRule€should€state€that€the€proposed€system€does€not€limit€publicŠ ` ° Šaccess€to€any€public€part€of€the€file.€€The€language€which€readsŠ  \  Šš šprovides€for€public€accessšš€looks€new.€€Electronic€filingŠ ø  Šprovides€more€immediate€access€and€has€more€importantŠ d“  Šimplications.€€The€Chair€suggested€that€the€second€sentence€ofŠ `  Šsection€(b)€read€as€follows:€€š šThe€plan€must€provide€for€theŠ ¼  Šprotection€of€privacy,€€must€be€available€for€use€by€litigantsŠ hø Šand€attorneys€at€a€reasonable€cost,€and€must€not€limit€access€toŠ d Šany€public€record.šš€€Judge€Heller€suggested€that€the€wordŠ Ą Šš špublicšš€be€placed€after€the€word€š šlimitšš€and€before€the€wordŠ l¼ Šš šaccessšš€in€the€Chairššs€suggested€language.€€Mr.€Titus€inquiredŠ h Šas€to€whether€this€includes€a€public€record€sealed€by€courtŠ Ä Šorder.€€The€Chair€answered€that€this€is€not€included.€€Mr.€BowenŠ pĄ  Šsuggested€that€the€language€š šor€documentšš€be€added€after€the€wordŠ !l" Šš šrecordšš€at€the€end€of€the€Chairššs€suggested€additional€languageŠ Č"$ Šin€the€second€sentence€of€section€(b).€€The€Chair€agreed€to€thisŠ t$Ä& Šamendment,€as€well€as€to€Judge€Hellerššs,€and,€by€consensus,€theŠ  &p!( ŠCommittee€approved€the€Chairššs€suggested€language€as€amended.€€Š Ģ'#* Šą  ąJudge€Ō_ŌMcAuliffeŌ_Ō€said€that€one€or€two€years€ago,€an€issue€wasŠ x)Č$, Šbrought€before€the€Committee€concerning€the€problem€of€attorneysŠ $+t&. Šcontacting€people€for€whom€an€arrest€warrant€has€been€issuedŠ Š, (0 Šbefore€the€warrant€can€be€served.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€questioned€as€toŠ |.Ģ)2 Šhow€electronic€filing€affects€this€problem.€€The€Chair€respondedŠ ° Šthat€even€those€warrants€that€are€not€electronically€filed€are€inŠ \¬ Šthe€District€Courtššs€data€base.€€Judge€Heller€added€that€theŠ X Šelectronic€access€is€the€same€as€access€to€the€court€file.€€InŠ “  Šthe€Baltimore€City€system,€there€is€no€electronic€access€from€aŠ ` ° Šhome€computer.€€Š  \  Šą  ąMr.€Bowen€suggested€that€in€the€second€sentence€of€sectionŠ ø  Š(b),€the€language€š šby€litigants€and€attorneysšš€should€be€takenŠ d“  Šout,€since€the€press€has€shown€its€concern€as€to€public€access.€Š `  ŠThe€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€this€change.€€€The€ChairŠ ¼  Šstated€that€Rule€16„307€would€be€amended€to€reflect€the€changesŠ hø Šmade€to€Rule€16„506€today.€€Mr.€Johnson€added€that€some€of€theŠ d Šlanguage€in€Rule€16„307€is€not€in€the€new€Rule,€and€Rule€16„307Š Ą Šwill€have€to€be€rewritten.€€€Š l¼ Šą  ąThe€Chair€presented€Rule€1„322,€Filing€of€Pleadings€andŠ h ŠOther€Papers,€for€the€Committeeššs€consideration.Š Ä ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °ŅÓÓą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ !l" ŠĢą@\ \ ģąTITLE€1€„€GENERAL€PROVISIONSˆŠ Č"$ ŠĢą@l l ģąCHAPTER€300€„€GENERAL€PROVISIONSˆŠ t$Ä& ŠĢĢą ø ąAMEND€Rule€1„322€by€adding€a€referenceŠ ö&F") Što€new€Rule€16„506,€as€follows:Š Ģ'#* ŠĢĢRule€1„322.€€FILING€OF€PLEADINGS€AND€OTHERŠ N*ž%- ŠPAPERSŠ $+t&. ŠĢĢ€€(a)€€GenerallyŠ ¦-ö(1 ŠŠ |.Ģ)2 Šą ø ą€€The€filing€of€pleadings€and€otherŠ ° Špapers€with€the€court€as€required€by€theseŠ †Ö Šrules€shall€be€made€by€filing€them€with€theŠ \¬ Šclerk€of€the€court,€except€that€a€judge€ofŠ 2‚ Šthat€court€may€accept€the€filing,€in€whichŠ X Ševent€the€judge€shall€note€on€the€papers€theŠ Ž. Šfiling€date€and€forthwith€transmit€them€toŠ “  Šthe€office€of€the€clerk.€€No€filing€of€aŠ Š Ś Špleading€or€paper€may€be€made€by€transmittingŠ ` ° Šit€directly€to€the€court€by€electronicŠ 6 †  Štransmission,€except€pursuant€to€anŠ  \  Šelectronic€filing€system€approved€under€Ruleū€€€(ūsü€€€(üŠ ā 2  Š16-307€ū€€€(ūor€16„506ü€€€(ü.€€Š ø  ŠĢ€€(b)€€Photocopies;€Facsimile€CopiesŠ d“  ŠĢą ø ą€€A€photocopy€or€facsimile€copy€of€aŠ `  Špleading€or€paper,€once€filed€with€the€court,Š ę6 Šshall€be€treated€as€an€original€for€all€courtŠ ¼  Špurposes.€€The€attorney€or€party€filing€theŠ ’ā Šcopy€shall€retain€the€original€from€which€theŠ hø Šfiled€copy€was€made€for€production€to€theŠ >Ž Šcourt€upon€the€request€of€the€court€or€anyŠ d Šparty.€€Š ź: ŠĢCross€reference:€€See€Rule€1-301€(d),Š –ę Šrequiring€that€court€papers€be€legible€and€ofŠ l¼ Špermanent€quality.€€Š B’ ŠĢSource:€€This€Rule€is€derived€in€part€fromŠ ī> ŠF.R.C.P.€5€(e)€and€Rule€102€1€d€of€the€RulesŠ Ä Šof€the€United€States€District€Court€for€theŠ šź ŠDistrict€of€Maryland€and€is€in€part€new.€€Š pĄ  ŠĢĢҰ` ŅҰ` Ņą  ąRule€1„322€was€accompanied€by€the€following€Reporterššs€Note.Š ņ!B# ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °ŅĢą ø ąSee€the€Reporterššs€Note€to€Rule€16„506.Š t$Ä& ŠĢĢҰ` ŅҰ` ŅÓÓą  ąThe€Chair€explained€that€Rule€1„322€should€have€a€referenceŠ ö&F") Što€Rule€16„506€added€to€it.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€toŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šthe€amendment€to€Rule€1„322.Š N*ž%- Šą  ąChief€Judge€Vaughan€said€that€he€would€miss€being€on€theŠ ś+J'/ ŠRules€Committee,€an€experience€which€has€been€one€of€theŠ ¦-ö(1 Šhighlights€of€his€legal€career.€€He€commented€that€he€has€foundŠ ° Šthe€work€of€the€Committee€extraordinary,€with€attorneys€andŠ \¬ Šjudges€spending€so€much€time€and€effort€on€the€Rules€ofŠ X ŠProcedure.€Š “  Šą  ąThe€Reporter€introduced€Becky€Ō_ŌKlingŌ_Ō„Feldman,€an€intern€inŠ ` ° Šthe€Rules€Committee€Office,€who€is€a€student€at€the€University€ofŠ  \  ŠBaltimore€School€of€Law.€€She€has€done€an€excellent€job€workingŠ ø  Šwith€the€Rules€Committee€staff.Š d“  ŠÓÓĢAgenda€Item€2.€€Consideration€of€proposed€new€Rule€16„205Š ę6 Š€€(Business€and€Technology€Case€Management€Program)Š ¼  Š________________________________________________________________Š ’ā ŠĢĢÓÓą  ąThe€Chair€announced€that€the€Committee€is€privileged€to€haveŠ d Šconsultants€present€who€have€devoted€much€time€and€effort€toŠ Ą Šworking€on€the€Business€and€Technology€Task€Force.€€They€includeŠ l¼ ŠWilbur€D.€(Woody)€Preston,€Jr.,€Esq.;€Steven€E.€Tiller,€Esq.;€theŠ h ŠHonorable€Steven€I.€Platt,€Circuit€Court€for€Prince€GeorgeššsŠ Ä ŠCounty;€and€the€Honorable€Michael€D.€Mason,€Circuit€Court€forŠ pĄ  ŠMontgomery€County.Š !l" Šą  ąThe€Chair€presented€Rule€16„205,€Business€and€TechnologyŠ Č"$ ŠCase€Management€Program,€for€the€Committeeššs€consideration.€€Š t$Ä& ŠÓÓĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ ö&F") ŠĢą@Œ Œ ģąTITLE€16€„€COURTS,€JUDGES,€AND€ATTORNEYSˆŠ ¢(ņ#+ ŠĢą@Ų Ų ģąCHAPTER€200€„€THE€CALENDAR€š"š€ASSIGNMENT€ANDˆŠ N*ž%- Šą@l l ģąDISPOSITION€OF€MOTIONS€AND€CASESˆŠ $+t&. ŠĢĢą ø ąADD€new€Rule€16„205,€as€follows:Š ¦-ö(1 ŠŠ |.Ģ)2 ЇRule€16„205.€€BUSINESS€AND€TECHNOLOGY€CASEŠ ° ŠMANAGEMENT€PROGRAMŠ †Ö ŠĢĢ€€(a)€€EstablishedŠ X ŠĢą ø ą€€Subject€to€the€availability€of€fiscalŠ “  Šand€human€resources,€in€each€of€the€judicialŠ Š Ś Šcircuits€in€the€State€there€shall€be€aŠ ` ° ŠBusiness€and€Technology€Case€ManagementŠ 6 †  ŠProgram€(the€Program)€which€shall€consist€ofŠ  \  Šspecialized€tracks€within€the€case€managementŠ ā 2  Šsystem€that€utilize€judges,€mediators,€andŠ ø  Šarbitrators€specially€trained€in€business€andŠ ŽŽ  Štechnology.€€The€Program€will€enable€theŠ d“  Šcircuit€court€to€handle€business€andŠ :Š  Štechnology€matters€in€the€most€coordinated,Š `  Šefficient,€and€responsive€manner€and€toŠ ę6 Šafford€convenient€access€to€lawyers€andŠ ¼  Šlitigants€in€business€and€technology€matters.Š ’ā ŠĢ€€(b)€€Actions€AssignedŠ >Ž ŠĢ€€€€(1)€€GenerallyŠ ź: ŠĢą ø ą€€€€Upon€the€courtššs€own€initiative€orŠ –ę Šat€the€request€of€a€party,€cases€that€presentŠ l¼ Šcommercial€or€technological€issues€of€such€aŠ B’ Šcomplex€or€novel€nature€that€specializedŠ h Štreatment€is€likely€to€improve€theŠ ī> Šadministration€of€justice€may€be€assigned€toŠ Ä Šthe€Program.€€A€party€wishing€to€utilize€theŠ šź ŠProgram€shall€so€designate€on€the€Civil€Non„Š pĄ  ŠDomestic€Case€Information€Report€form€byŠ F –! Šchecking€the€appropriate€boxes.€Š !l" ŠĢ€€€€(2)€€Determination€of€Appropriateness€ofŠ Č"$ ŠCases€for€the€ProgramŠ ž#ī% ŠĢ€€€€€€€€€The€Administrative€Judge€of€theŠ J%š ' Šcircuit€court€of€the€county€in€which€theŠ  &p!( Šaction€is€filed€or€the€Administrative€JudgeššsŠ ö&F") Šdesignee€shall€determine€which€cases€areŠ Ģ'#* Šappropriate€for€the€Program.€€Factors€thatŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šmay€be€considered€include:€(A)€the€number€andŠ x)Č$, Šdiverse€interests€of€the€parties,€(B)€theŠ N*ž%- Šamount€and€nature€of€pretrial€discovery€andŠ $+t&. Šmotions,€(C)€whether€the€parties€agree€toŠ ś+J'/ Šwaive€venue€for€the€hearing€of€motions€andŠ Š, (0 Šother€pretrial€matters,€(D)€the€novelty€andŠ ¦-ö(1 Šcomplexity€of€the€factual€and€legal€issuesŠ |.Ģ)2 Špresented,€(E)€whether€business€or€technologyŠ ° Šissues€predominate€over€other€issuesŠ †Ö Špresented€in€the€case,€and€(F)€theŠ \¬ Šwillingness€of€the€parties€to€participate€inŠ 2‚ Šalternative€dispute€resolution€(Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō)Š X Šprocedures.Š Ž. ŠĢ€€(c)€€Tracks€Within€ProgramŠ Š Ś ŠĢ€€€€€€€The€case€may€be€placed€on€a€ProgramŠ 6 †  ŠExpedited€Track€if€minimal€discovery€andŠ  \  Špretrial€motions€are€required.€€The€ExpeditedŠ ā 2  ŠTrack€may€provide€for€the€scheduling€ofŠ ø  Šalternative€dispute€resolution,€discovery,Š ŽŽ  Šand€a€trial€date€immediately€following€theŠ d“  Šfiling€of€an€answer.€€Other€matters€shall€beŠ :Š  Šdesignated€Business€and€Technology€CaseŠ `  ŠManagement€Program€Standard€Track€to€beŠ ę6 Šadministered€in€accordance€with€Rule€2„504.Š ¼  ŠĢ€€(d)€€Alternative€Dispute€ResolutionŠ hø ŠĢ€€€€€€€The€Program€shall€incorporateŠ d Šalternative€dispute€resolution€proceduresŠ ź: Šinto€the€early€management€of€each€caseŠ Ą Šassigned€to€it.€€The€Program€may€establish€aŠ –ę Šschedule€for€a€certain€number€of€alternativeŠ l¼ Šdispute€resolution€sessions€in€each€caseŠ B’ Špursuant€to€an€appropriate€scheduling€order.Š h ŠĢCross€reference:€€Title€17,€AlternativeŠ Ä ŠDispute€Resolution.€€See€Rule€2„504€whichŠ šź Špertains€to€scheduling€orders.Š pĄ  ŠĢ€€(e)€€Motion€Practice€Š !l" ŠĢ€€€€€€€The€Program€judge€to€whom€the€actionŠ Č"$ Šhas€been€assigned€shall€hear€all€proceedingsŠ ž#ī% Šuntil€the€matter€is€concluded.€€However,€ifŠ t$Ä& Šcircumstances€so€require,€the€AdministrativeŠ J%š ' ŠJudge€or€the€Administrative€Judgeššs€designeeŠ  &p!( Šmay€appoint€another€Program€Judge€to€hearŠ ö&F") Šdiscovery€and€other€pretrial€motions.Š Ģ'#* ŠĢSource:€€This€Rule€is€new.Š x)Č$, ŠĢĢҰ` ŅҰ` Ņą  ąRule€16„205€was€accompanied€by€the€following€ReporterššsŠ ś+J'/ ŠĢNote.Š ¦-ö(1 ŠŠ |.Ģ)2 ŠŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą ø ąThe€General€Court€AdministrationŠ ° ŠSubcommittee€is€proposing€the€addition€of€newŠ †Ö ŠRule€16„205€because€of€a€recommendation€ofŠ \¬ Šthree€circuit€court€judges€acting€asŠ 2‚ Šconsultants€to€the€Conference€of€CircuitŠ X ŠJudges.€€The€judges€made€the€recommendationŠ Ž. Šbased€on€a€report€done€by€the€Business€andŠ “  ŠTechnology€Task€Force,€an€organizationŠ Š Ś Šcreated€by€the€Maryland€legislature€toŠ ` ° Šfurther€technology€business€in€the€State.€€InŠ 6 †  Šits€Report,€the€Task€Force€concluded€that€allŠ  \  Šof€the€benefits€of€the€specialization€ofŠ ā 2  Šjudges€to€hear€business€and€technology€casesŠ ø  Šand€a€fair€and€equitable€allocation€ofŠ ŽŽ  Šjudicial€resources€can€be€accomplished€by€theŠ d“  Šestablishment€of€a€Business€and€TechnologyŠ :Š  ŠCase€Management€Program€in€the€circuitŠ `  Šcourts.€€The€Program€is€set€out€in€a€new€RuleŠ ę6 Šwhich€is€patterned€after€Rule€16„204,€FamilyŠ ¼  ŠDivision€and€Support€Services.Š ’ā ŠĢĢҰ` ŅҰ` ŅÓÓą  ąMr.€Preston€said€that€he€had€some€questions€about€theŠ d Šproposed€Rule,€adding€that€he€was€generally€pleased€with€itsŠ Ą Šsimplicity.€€One€question€is€whether€venue€can€be€waived.€€ThisŠ l¼ Šis€provided€for€in€part€(C)€of€subsection€(b)(2).€€Also,€partiesŠ h Šcannot€be€required€to€participate€in€mediation,€although€part€(F)Š Ä Šof€subsection€(b)(2)€implies€that€this€is€required.€€In€otherŠ pĄ  Šstates,€mediation€can€be€mandated€in€the€business€courts.€€TheŠ !l" Šbusiness€cases€usually€involve€a€finite€amount€of€money,€unlikeŠ Č"$ Štort€cases€which€involve€a€calculation€for€pain€and€suffering.€€Š t$Ä& ŠSection€(c)€of€the€Rule€refers€to€two€separate€tracks,€but€theŠ  &p!( Šidea€of€the€Rule€is€that€everything€should€be€expedited.Š Ģ'#* Šą  ąJudge€Platt€said€that€the€representatives€of€the€Task€ForceŠ x)Č$, Šhad€drafted€the€Rule,€and€the€Conference€of€Circuit€Court€JudgesŠ $+t&. Šalso€looked€at€it.€€The€Conference,€chaired€by€the€Honorable€PaulŠ Š, (0 ŠWeinstein,€Administrative€Judge€of€the€Circuit€Court€forŠ |.Ģ)2 ŠMontgomery€County,€is€the€entity€responsible€for€implementationŠ ° Šof€the€Task€Forceššs€recommendations.€€Some€of€the€language€of€theŠ \¬ ŠRule€was€taken€from€a€parallel€North€Carolina€rule.€€In€NorthŠ X ŠCarolina,€one€business€and€technology€judge€handles€cases€fromŠ “  Šall€around€the€state,€but€in€Maryland,€it€is€anticipated€that€oneŠ ` ° Šjudge€will€be€appointed€from€each€circuit€to€hear€these€cases.€Š  \  ŠThe€venue€provision€was€taken€from€the€North€Carolina€rule.€€TheŠ ø  Šjudges€from€the€rural€areas€in€Maryland€had€requested€thisŠ d“  Šprovision€which€was€the€subject€of€some€debate.€€The€AssistantŠ `  ŠReporter€had€assisted€the€Task€Force€committee€and€had€doneŠ ¼  Šresearch€on€this€provision,€concluding€that€the€parties€wouldŠ hø Šhave€to€agree€to€waive€venue.€€A€judge€would€have€no€authority€toŠ d Šorder€people€to€come€to€a€different€county.€€The€AssistantŠ Ą ŠReporter€was€very€helpful,€turning€in€the€requested€changes€toŠ l¼ Šthe€Rule€promptly.€€Judge€Platt€thanked€her,€as€well€as€the€ChairŠ h Šof€the€Rules€Committee,€for€their€help.€€€Š Ä Šą  ąJudge€Platt€referred€to€the€issue€raised€by€Mr.€PrestonŠ pĄ  Šregarding€alternative€dispute€resolution€(Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō).€€The€Task€ForceŠ !l" Šcommittee€recognized€that€the€Court€of€Appeals€had€clearly€statedŠ Č"$ Šthat€Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō€cannot€be€mandated.€€However,€the€willingness€toŠ t$Ä& Šparticipate€is€a€factor€to€be€considered.€€This€is€consistentŠ  &p!( Šwith€the€approach€of€the€Court€of€Appeals.€€Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō€is€not€mandated,Š Ģ'#* Šbut€its€importance€is€emphasized.€€Another€issue€raised€was€theŠ x)Č$, Štwo„track€system€which€had€been€recommended€by€the€Task€Force.€Š $+t&. ŠThe€expedited€track€would€take€approximately€seven€months,€andŠ Š, (0 Šthe€standard€track€would€take€12€months,€although€there€was€someŠ |.Ģ)2 Šsentiment€to€expand€this.€€The€Rule€would€provide€the€umbrellaŠ ° Šauthority,€and€the€uniform€differentiated€case€management€(DCM)Š \¬ Šlanguage€has€already€been€approved.€€Judge€Platt€agreed€with€Mr.Š X ŠPrestonššs€statement€that€one€purpose€of€this€Rule€is€to€ensureŠ “  Šthat€business€cases€are€heard€more€quickly.€€The€Task€ForceŠ ` ° Šcommittee€will€report€to€the€Conference€of€Circuit€Court€JudgesŠ  \  Šon€November€19,€2001€as€to€this€Rule€and€other€matters,€includingŠ ø  Šjudicial€education€and€Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō.€€This€may€result€in€further€proposedŠ d“  Šchanges€to€the€Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō€Rules.Š `  Šą  ąThe€Chair€suggested€that€section€(c)€could€be€changed€toŠ ¼  Šread€as€follows:€€š šThe€program€will€provide€an€expedited€trackŠ hø Šand€a€standard€track.€€Cases€assigned€to€the€expedited€track€willŠ d Špromptly€be€scheduled€for€Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō,€discovery,€and€an€expedited€trialŠ Ą Šdate.€€Matters€assigned€to€the€standard€track€will€beŠ l¼ Šadministered€in€accordance€with€Rule€2„504.šš€€This€change€inŠ h Šlanguage€would€not€lock€in€the€judge€who€is€assigned€to€the€case.€Š Ä ŠMr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€inquired€as€to€whether€any€consideration€was€given€toŠ pĄ  Šjury€vs.€non„jury€cases€as€a€factor€to€be€considered€inŠ !l" Šdetermining€whether€the€business€program€is€appropriate.€€JudgeŠ Č"$ ŠPlatt€replied€that€this€was€not€considered,€although€it€is€anŠ t$Ä& Šimportant€factor.€Other€states€do€not€have€jury€cases€in€theirŠ  &p!( Šbusiness€track.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€commented€that€Delaware€and€NorthŠ Ģ'#* ŠCarolina€have€business€courts,€and€his€impression€is€that€theyŠ x)Č$, Šhear€only€non„jury€cases.€€Judge€Platt€responded€that€in€a€largeŠ $+t&. Špart,€the€business€cases€are€non„jury€cases,€and€it€is€the€sameŠ Š, (0 Šfor€the€New€York€business€program€in€the€courts.€€He€did€notŠ |.Ģ)2 Šbelieve€that€jury€trials€would€interfere€with€the€umbrellaŠ ° Šprocess€in€the€Rule.€€The€Chair€suggested€that€another€factorŠ \¬ Šshould€be€added€to€subsection€(b)(2)€which€is:€š šthe€nature€of€theŠ X Šrelief€being€sought.šš€€Mr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€opined€that,€in€general,Š “  Šbusinesses€do€not€like€juries€deciding€complicated€and€technicalŠ ` ° Šissues.€€Judge€Platt€stated€that€he€was€in€favor€of€the€ChairššsŠ  \  Šsuggested€language.€€The€Committee€agreed€by€consensus€to€thisŠ ø  Šaddition.€€€Š d“  Šą  ąMr.€Titus€said€that€he€would€like€to€respond€to€Mr.Š `  ŠPrestonššs€comment€about€the€speed€of€the€process.€€Mr.€TitusŠ ¼  Šexplained€that€his€practice€includes€business€litigation.€€He€isŠ hø Šnot€interested€in€the€speediest€resolution,€but€rather€prefersŠ d Šthat€there€be€one€judge€handling€the€case€and€that€the€judge€beŠ Ą Šcompetent€in€business€matters.€€Speed€is€the€byproduct€of€aŠ l¼ Šsingle,€competent€judge€handling€the€case.€€This€is€a€judicialŠ h Šeducation€matter.€€The€way€the€Rule€is€written,€certainŠ Ä Šcategories€of€cases€are€expedited.€€The€decision€on€expeditionŠ pĄ  Šshould€be€left€to€the€assigned€judge.€€Judge€Missouri€commentedŠ !l" Šthat€he€is€in€favor€of€the€Rule€and€in€favor€of€the€triageŠ Č"$ Šprocess€set€out€in€the€Rule.€€The€Rule€is€written€so€as€to€giveŠ t$Ä& Šthe€administrative€judge€or€that€judgeššs€designee€the€ability€toŠ  &p!( Štriage€cases€and€determine€which€ones€should€be€expedited.€€TheŠ Ģ'#* Šadministrative€judge€should€appoint€the€appropriate€designee€whoŠ x)Č$, Šis€competent.€€Further€delegation€of€this€responsibility€is€notŠ $+t&. Šappropriate.€€€Š Š, (0 Šą  ąMr.€Titus€expressed€the€opinion€that€when€the€DCM€system€wasŠ |.Ģ)2 Šfirst€initiated,€the€triage€procedure€was€intended€to€be€moreŠ ° Šmeaningful€than€it€is€now.€€The€initial€conference€with€theŠ \¬ Šindividual€judge€should€be€more€meaningful.€€Judge€Ō_ŌMcAuliffeŌ_ŌŠ X Šcommented€that€the€specialized€judge€should€be€the€one€doing€theŠ “  ŠŌ_ŌtriagingŌ_Ō€and€it€should€not€be€the€administrative€judge€whoŠ ` ° Šdecides€whether€the€expedited€track€is€appropriate.€€It€isŠ  \  Šcontemplated€that€the€information€report€is€filed,€and€theŠ ø  Šinitial€determination€as€to€the€appropriate€track€is€based€on€theŠ d“  Šreport.€€Judge€Ō_ŌMcAuliffeŌ_Ō€expressed€his€concern€that€it€might€beŠ `  Šdifficult€to€know€if€parties€are€willing€to€waive€venue€orŠ ¼  Šwilling€to€participate€in€Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō€early€in€the€process.€€Judge€HellerŠ hø Šremarked€that€the€administrative€judge€does€not€get€the€fileŠ d Šuntil€the€information€report€is€filed.€€Judge€Platt€respondedŠ Ą Šthat€the€operational€details€are€not€in€the€Rule,€but€in€the€DCMŠ l¼ Šplan€language.€€The€Task€Forceššs€concept€is€that€theŠ h Šadministrative€judge€determines€the€track€from€the€informationŠ Ä Šprovided€in€the€report.€€There€is€nothing€controversial€aboutŠ pĄ  Šadmitting€cases€into€the€program.€€What€may€cause€controversy€isŠ !l" Šthe€administrative€judge€designating€a€judge€who€is€disliked€byŠ Č"$ Šone€of€the€attorneys.€€The€Chair€said€that€a€mechanism€may€haveŠ t$Ä& Što€be€added€to€the€Rule€to€move€the€case€along€from€filing€to€aŠ  &p!( Šprompt€hearing.€€Š Ģ'#* Šą  ąJudge€Heller€noted€that€along€with€the€Honorable€AlbertŠ x)Č$, ŠŌ_ŌMatriccianiŌ_Ō,€of€the€Circuit€Court€for€Baltimore€City,€she€wroteŠ $+t&. Šthe€plan,€a€copy€of€which€is€included€in€the€meeting€materials.€Š Š, (0 ŠThe€case€information€report€is€meant€to€provide€the€opportunityŠ |.Ģ)2 Šfor€parties€to€ask€to€be€in€the€business€and€technology€program.€Š ° ŠIf€both€parties€consent€to€be€in€the€program,€the€case€goes€toŠ \¬ Šthe€administrative€judge.€€If€one€party€is€in€opposition,€thatŠ X Šparty€files€a€motion.€€The€case€gets€onto€the€docket€and€into€theŠ “  Šclerkššs€office.€€Judge€Platt€said€that€the€process€is€not€part€ofŠ ` ° Šthe€Rule.€€The€Task€Force€committee€decided€not€to€include€aŠ  \  Šstep„by„step€process€in€the€Rule.€€However,€the€Rule€does€provideŠ ø  Šthe€authority€and€the€DCM€language€so€that€this€is€uniform€amongŠ d“  Šthe€counties€in€the€State.€€The€Chair€suggested€that€theŠ `  Šfollowing€language€should€be€added€to€subsection€(b)(2):€€š šTheŠ ¼  ŠProgram€shall€include€the€procedure€by€which€the€administrativeŠ hø Šjudge€or€the€administrative€judgeššs€designee€shall€determineŠ d Šwhich€cases€are€appropriate€for€the€Program.šš€€Judge€Platt€saidŠ Ą Šthat€he€would€have€no€problem€with€this€language€being€added€toŠ l¼ Šthe€Rule.€€Š h Šą  ąJudge€Ō_ŌMcAuliffeŌ_Ō€referred€to€the€specimen€Business€andŠ Ä ŠTechnology€Case€Management€Plan€in€the€meeting€materials,Š pĄ  Špointing€out€that€the€plaintiffššs€case€information€report€isŠ !l" Štransmitted€to€the€administrative€judge€for€a€determination€as€toŠ Č"$ Šwhether€the€case€should€be€assigned€to€the€Business€andŠ t$Ä& ŠTechnology€Information€Track,€before€the€defendantššs€response€isŠ  &p!( Šfiled.€€Mr.€Titus€remarked€that€both€parties€file€informationŠ Ģ'#* Šreports.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌHochbergŌ_Ō€observed€that€if€there€is€some€interactionŠ x)Č$, Šbetween€the€parties,€they€could€agree€to€the€track€to€which€theŠ $+t&. Šcase€is€assigned.€€Judge€Platt€responded€that€there€could€be€aŠ Š, (0 Šconference€call.€€If€both€the€plaintiff€and€the€defendant€wouldŠ |.Ģ)2 Šlike€to€be€on€the€business€track,€a€conference€may€not€beŠ ° Šnecessary.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌHochbergŌ_Ō€asked€if€the€assignment€of€the€case€canŠ \¬ Šbe€scheduled€without€a€conference.€€Judge€Platt€answered€that€atŠ X Šthat€stage€in€the€proceedings,€a€conference€is€not€necessary.€€Š “  Šą  ąJudge€Mason€commented€that€the€Program€judge€on€his€or€herŠ ` ° Šown€initiative€could€take€a€case€out€of€the€business€track€if€itŠ  \  Šhas€been€inappropriately€assigned.€€Some€business€representativesŠ ø  Šanticipated€that€every€business€case€would€be€placed€in€theŠ d“  Šbusiness€and€technology€track,€but€actually€the€program€is€forŠ `  Šcomplex€business€cases.€€If€every€case€is€placed€on€an€expeditedŠ ¼  Štrack,€it€will€always€be€requested.€€Judge€Missouri€observed€thatŠ hø Šthe€Rule€does€not€provide€what€the€administrative€judge€isŠ d Šsupposed€to€do.€€Mr.€Tiller€explained€that€the€Business€andŠ Ą ŠTechnology€Task€Force€heard€from€people€in€the€business€area€whoŠ l¼ Šfelt€that€predictability€was€needed€statewide€as€to€what€theŠ h Šprogram€will€consist€of€and€what€is€discretionary€on€the€part€ofŠ Ä Šthe€judge.€€€The€report€of€the€Task€Force€is€based€on€theŠ pĄ  Šexperience€in€other€states.€€The€list€of€what€is€and€is€notŠ !l" Šincluded€was€debated€heavily€and€is€fairly€broad.€€Judge€PlattŠ Č"$ Šcommented€that€the€Implementation€committee€felt€that€the€moreŠ t$Ä& Šspecific€criteria€in€the€plan€should€be€uniform€throughout€theŠ  &p!( ŠState.€€Standards€include€what€cases€are€and€are€not€admitted,Š Ģ'#* Šbut€administrative€judges€should€not€be€locked€in.€€Š x)Č$, Šą  ąMr.€Johnson€asked€where€it€is€stated€that€the€DCM€plan€isŠ $+t&. Šuniform€in€all€courts.€€The€Chair€said€that€this€is€not€stated€inŠ Š, (0 Šthe€Rule.€€Judge€Platt€remarked€that€this€statement€could€beŠ |.Ģ)2 Šincluded€in€the€Rule.€€Mr.€Titus€noted€that€the€original€DCMŠ ° ŠRules€provided€for€a€plan€in€each€circuit€which€is€approved€byŠ \¬ Šthe€Chief€Judge,€the€purpose€of€which€is€to€achieve€uniformity.€Š X ŠThe€Rule€could€be€expanded€to€include€this.€€Mr.€Bowen€commentedŠ “  Šthat€the€Rule€suggests€the€opposite€because€of€the€language€inŠ ` ° Šsection€(a)€which€reads,€š šsubject€to€the€availability€of€fiscalŠ  \  Šand€human€resources...šš.€€Judge€Platt€explained€that€Chief€JudgeŠ ø  ŠBell€would€like€the€program€to€be€administered€statewide.€€TheŠ d“  Šlanguage€š šsubject€to€the€availability€of€fiscal€and€humanŠ `  Šresourcesšš€is€similar€to€the€language€of€subsection€(a)(3)€ofŠ ¼  ŠRule€16„204,€Family€Division€and€Support€Services.€€It€shouldŠ hø Šremain€in€the€Rule,€because€there€should€be€no€unfunded€mandates.€Š d ŠMr.€Titus€pointed€out€that€section€b.€of€€Rule€16„202,€AssignmentŠ Ą Šof€Actions€for€Trial,€pertains€to€the€information€report€of€theŠ l¼ Šcase€management€plan.€€€Similar€language€could€be€added€to€Rule€Š h Š16„205€providing€that€the€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€AppealsŠ Ä Štakes€the€appropriate€steps€to€achieve€uniformity.€€The€ChairŠ pĄ  Šsuggested€that€this€language€could€be€placed€in€section€(a)€ofŠ !l" ŠRule€16„205.€€Š Č"$ Šą  ąJudge€Heller€noted€that€Rule€16„204€is€applicable€only€toŠ t$Ä& Šcounties€with€more€than€seven€judges.€€The€Chair€said€that€RuleŠ  &p!( Š16„205€applies€statewide.€€He€suggested€that€the€word€š šfundsššŠ Ģ'#* Šshould€be€used€in€place€of€the€language€š šfiscal€and€humanŠ x)Č$, Šresourcesšš€in€section€(a).€€Mr.€Bowen€expressed€the€view€thatŠ $+t&. Šhuman€resources€are€important€because€the€judges€are€beingŠ Š, (0 Štrained.€€This€may€be€impractical€in€a€one„€or€two„judge€county,Š |.Ģ)2 Šso€it€may€be€better€to€draft€the€Rule€to€provide€that€eachŠ ° Šcircuit€court€has€its€own€plan.€€The€Chair€responded€that€this€isŠ \¬ Šnot€what€the€circuit€judges€want.€€Judge€Platt€explained€thatŠ X Ševen€when€there€are€one„€or€two„judge€counties,€the€program€isŠ “  Šcircuit„based,€and€the€assignment€decision€is€up€to€the€circuitŠ ` ° Šadministrative€judge€or€that€judgeššs€designee.€€The€programŠ  \  Šjudges€will€receive€training.€€The€Honorable€Alan€M.€Ō_ŌWilnerŌ_Ō,€aŠ ø  Šmember€of€the€Court€of€Appeals,€has€said€that€education€inŠ d“  Šbusiness€and€technology€issues€is€open€to€all€judges,€withŠ `  Špriority€given€to€those€initially€designated€as€business€andŠ ¼  Štechnology€judges.€€Š hø Šą  ąMr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€inquired€as€to€how€the€program€will€work€in€smallŠ d Šcounties.€€If€venue€is€waived€for€pretrial€matters,€and€the€caseŠ Ą Šis€moved€to€another€county,€will€the€trial€go€back€to€the€homeŠ l¼ Šcounty?€€Judge€Platt€answered€in€the€affirmative.€€The€ChairŠ h Špointed€out€that€the€Program€judge€will€be€from€the€circuit,€butŠ Ä Šnot€necessarily€from€the€same€county,€in€which€the€case€is€filed.€Š pĄ  ŠMr.€Sykes€suggested€that€the€phrase€in€section€(a)€which€readsŠ !l" Šš šsubject€to€the€availability€of€fiscal€and€human€resourcesššŠ Č"$ Šshould€be€moved€so€that€it€follows€the€language€š š(the€Program).šš€€Š t$Ä& ŠHe€asked€if€the€availability€of€resources€enters€into€theŠ  &p!( Šdecision€as€to€the€cases€to€be€assigned€to€the€Program.€€JudgeŠ Ģ'#* ŠPlatt€replied€that€this€language€was€added€in€response€to€theŠ x)Č$, Šconcerns€of€the€Conference€of€Circuit€Court€Judges.€€It€is€not€anŠ $+t&. Šoperational€limitation,€but€it€addresses€the€problem€of€havingŠ Š, (0 Šsufficient€resources€to€keep€the€program€functioning.€€It€hasŠ |.Ģ)2 Šworked€in€the€family€division.€€A€case€is€filed,€an€answer€isŠ ° Šfiled,€and€the€parties€fill€out€an€information€report.€€TheŠ \¬ Šadministrative€judge€or€that€judgeššs€designee€decides€if€the€caseŠ X Šgoes€to€the€business€and€technology€program,€at€which€point€theŠ “  ŠProgram€judge€is€assigned.€€The€judge€will€have€a€schedulingŠ ` ° Šconference€to€decide€if€the€track€should€be€expedited€orŠ  \  Šstandard.€€The€case€will€be€scheduled€and€proceed€on€theŠ ø  Šappropriate€track.€€The€language€concerning€the€availability€ofŠ d“  Šresources€sends€a€message€that€support€is€needed.Š `  Šą  ąThe€Chair€said€that€the€language€concerning€the€availabilityŠ ¼  Šof€resources€is€a€policy€question€for€the€Committee€to€consider.€Š hø ŠJudge€Ō_ŌMcAuliffeŌ_Ō€noted€that€originally€there€was€legislativeŠ d Šimpetus€to€have€at€least€one€designated€judge€trained€for€eachŠ Ą Šcircuit€as€the€expert€in€business€and€technology.€€The€number€ofŠ l¼ Šcases€put€into€the€program€may€be€dictated€by€the€availability€ofŠ h Šthat€judge€and€of€other€human€and€fiscal€resources.€€He€agreedŠ Ä Šwith€Mr.€Sykes€that€the€language€š šsubject€to€the€availability€ofŠ pĄ  Šhuman€and€fiscal€resourcesšš€should€be€moved.€€Judge€HellerŠ !l" Šsuggested€that€section€(a)€should€be€worded€as€follows:€€š šThereŠ Č"$ Šshall€be€a€Business€and€Technology€Case€Management€Program€(theŠ t$Ä& ŠProgram)€which€would€be€adopted€by€the€Conference€of€CircuitŠ  &p!( ŠCourt€Judges€and€approved€by€the€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€ofŠ Ģ'#* ŠAppeals.šš€€The€Chair€suggested€that€the€language€š šsubject€to€theŠ x)Č$, Šavailability€of€fiscal€and€human€resourcesšš€should€be€included€inŠ $+t&. Šthe€first€sentence€of€section€(a).€€The€Chair€asked€if€any€otherŠ Š, (0 ŠRule€provides€that€it€is€adopted€by€the€Conference€of€CircuitŠ |.Ģ)2 ŠCourt€Judges,€and€none€of€the€Committee€members€knew€of€any€ruleŠ ° Šwith€this€language.Š \¬ Šą  ąJudge€Heller€noted€that€section€b.€of€Rule€16„202€providesŠ X Šthat€the€County€Administrative€Judge€shall€develop€and€the€ChiefŠ “  ŠJudge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€shall€approve€the€case€managementŠ ` ° Šplan.€€The€Chair€suggested€that€the€language€providing€for€theŠ  \  Šapproval€of€the€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals€be€includedŠ ø  Šin€section€(a)€of€Rule€16„205.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌHochbergŌ_Ō€suggested€that€theŠ d“  Šphrase€š šin€each€of€the€circuitsšš€should€be€added.€€The€ChairŠ `  Šproposed€the€following€language:€€š šIn€each€circuit€court,€thereŠ ¼  Šshall€be€a€Business€and€Technology€Program€(the€Program)€whichŠ hø Šshall€be€approved€by€the€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals.€Š d ŠThe€Program€will€enable...šš.€€The€Reporter€suggested€theŠ Ą Šfollowing€language:€€š šThere€shall€be€a€Business€and€TechnologyŠ l¼ ŠCase€Management€Program€(the€Program)€approved€by€the€Chief€JudgeŠ h Šof€the€Court€of€Appeals.€€The€Program€shall€utilize€judges,Š Ä Šmediators,€and€arbitrators€specially€trained€in€business€andŠ pĄ  Štechnology,€which€will€enable€each€circuit€court,€subject€to€theŠ !l" Šavailability€of€fiscal€and€human€resources,€to€handle€businessŠ Č"$ Šand€technology€matters€in€the€most€coordinated,€efficient,€andŠ t$Ä& Šresponsive€manner€and€to€afford€convenient€access€to€lawyers€andŠ  &p!( Šlitigants€in€business€and€technology€matters.šš€€Š Ģ'#* Šą  ąMr.€Titus€questioned€as€to€what€is€distinctive€about€theŠ x)Č$, Šspecimen€case€management€plan€as€compared€with€current€caseŠ $+t&. Šmanagement€plans.€€Judge€Mason€responded€that€one€distinction€isŠ Š, (0 Šthe€use€of€Program€judges.€€It€is€very€important€that€ProgramŠ |.Ģ)2 Šjudges€be€educated€in€business€and€technology.€€Mr.€TitusŠ ° Šcommented€that€there€have€been€debates€about€how€to€set€times€inŠ \¬ Šthe€DCM€plans.€€Some€say€that€the€trial€date€should€be€set€upŠ X Šearly€in€the€process,€while€others€feel€that€a€date€set€up€tooŠ “  Šearly€is€not€realistic.€€Mr.€Titus€expressed€his€agreement€withŠ ` ° Šthe€view€of€Judge€Weinstein,€who€prefers€that€a€real€date€be€setŠ  \  Šup€later€in€the€process.€€Judge€Platt€said€that€the€Program€judgeŠ ø  Šwill€work€with€the€attorneys.€€The€hope€is€that€the€cases€will€beŠ d“  Šexpedited.€€Mr.€Titus€remarked€that€there€should€be€some€degreeŠ `  Šof€expedition.€€The€word€š šordinarilyšš€could€be€added€to€sectionŠ ¼  Š(e)€so€that€it€would€begin€as€follows:€€š šThe€Program€judge€toŠ hø Šwhom€the€action€has€been€assigned€shall€ordinarily€hear€allŠ d Šproceedings...šš.€€It€should€be€up€to€the€trial€judge€to€workŠ Ą Šthings€out.Š l¼ Šą  ąJudge€Ō_ŌMcAuliffeŌ_Ō€commented€that€the€Rule€seems€to€provide€forŠ h Štracks€within€a€track.€€Once€the€judge€sets€the€schedule,€thereŠ Ä Šis€no€need€to€choose€a€standard€or€an€expedited€track.€€The€judgeŠ pĄ  Šadministering€the€Program€should€have€flexibility.€€Judge€MasonŠ !l" Šobserved€that€the€parties€have€to€be€flexible,€also.€€The€ChairŠ Č"$ Šsaid€that€a€case€assigned€to€the€Program€gets€the€Program€judge.€€Š t$Ä& ŠIt€is€not€necessary€to€provide€for€tracks€in€the€Rule.€€TheŠ  &p!( ŠProgram€judge€is€authorized€to€schedule€the€case,€including€Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō,Š Ģ'#* Šdiscovery,€and€a€trial€date.€€The€Program€judge€may€establish€aŠ x)Č$, Šschedule€for€Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō€sessions.€€Section€(e),€Motion€Practice,€can€beŠ $+t&. Štaken€out€because€the€Program€judge€hears€all€of€the€proceedings.€Š Š, (0 ŠJudge€Platt€said€that€the€expedited€and€standard€tracks€may€notŠ |.Ģ)2 Šbe€consistent€with€the€DCM€language,€but€they€were€recommended€byŠ ° Šthe€Task€Force.€€There€are€business€courts€in€Delaware,€New€York,Š \¬ Šand€North€Carolina€which€have€the€formal€tracks.Š X Šą  ąThe€Chair€suggested€that€sections€(c),€(d),€and€(e)€of€RuleŠ “  Š16„205€could€be€combined€into€one€section.€€He€proposed€theŠ ` ° Šfollowing€language:€€š šThe€Program€judge€to€whom€the€action€hasŠ  \  Šbeen€assigned€shall€ordinarily€hear€all€proceedings€until€theŠ ø  Šmatter€is€concluded.€€The€Program€shall€incorporate€alternativeŠ d“  Šdispute€resolution€procedures€into€the€early€management€of€eachŠ `  Šcase€assigned€to€it€and€may€establish€a€schedule€for€a€certainŠ ¼  Šnumber€of€alternative€dispute€resolution€sessions€in€each€caseŠ hø Špursuant€to€an€appropriate€scheduling€order.šš€€Judge€MasonŠ d Špointed€out€that€the€word€š šordinarilyšš€means€that€any€other€judgeŠ Ą Šcan€hear€these€proceedings.€€The€Rule€should€provide€that€theŠ l¼ ŠProgram€judge€or€another€Program€judge€from€a€differentŠ h Šjurisdiction€shall€hear€the€proceedings.€€€Š Ä Šą  ąJudge€Heller€expressed€the€opinion€that€the€current€languageŠ pĄ  Šis€better,€because€it€provides€for€discretion.€€Judge€PlattŠ !l" Šagreed€that€adding€the€word€š šordinarilyšš€provides€moreŠ Č"$ Šflexibility.€€The€Chair€said€that€another€sentence€could€be€addedŠ t$Ä& Što€clarify€this€issue.€€Mr.€Titus€remarked€that€if€the€ProgramŠ  &p!( Šjudge€is€unavailable,€a€business€and€technology€case€cannot€beŠ Ģ'#* Šheard,€unless€the€Rule€provides€some€discretion.€€The€ChairŠ x)Č$, Šsuggested€that€the€language€š šif€circumstances€so€requirešš€wouldŠ $+t&. Šcover€the€situation€in€which€the€Program€judge€is€unavailable€toŠ Š, (0 Šhear€the€case.€€Mr.€Titus€suggested€that€in€place€of€the€languageŠ |.Ģ)2 Šš šdiscovery€and€other€pretrial€motions,šš€the€language€š šparticularŠ ° Špretrial€matteršš€could€be€added.€€The€Reporter€inquired€as€toŠ \¬ Šwhether€the€Rule€is€referring€to€the€circuit€or€countyŠ X Šadministrative€judge.€€Judge€Platt€answered€that€it€is€theŠ “  Šcircuit€administrative€judge€or€his€or€her€designee.€€In€theŠ ` ° Šrural€circuits,€there€is€one€designated€judge.€€The€Reporter€saidŠ  \  Šthat€subject€to€style€revisions,€the€Rule€can€provide€that€theŠ ø  Šcircuit€administrative€judge€or€that€judgeššs€designee€may€appointŠ d“  Šanother€judge,€who€shall€be€a€Program€judge,€if€practicable,€toŠ `  Šhear€the€matter.Š ¼  Šą  ąJudge€Missouri€pointed€out€that€section€b.€of€Rule€16„103,Š hø ŠAssignment€of€Judges,€provides€that€the€Circuit€AdministrativeŠ d ŠJudge€of€each€of€the€judicial€circuits€may€assign€any€judge€ofŠ Ą Šthat€circuit€to€sit€as€a€judge€of€the€circuit€court€of€any€countyŠ l¼ Šin€that€circuit.€€This€would€cover€the€situation€where€theŠ h ŠProgram€judge€is€unavailable.€€Judge€Platt€suggested€that€a€crossŠ Ä Šreference€to€Rule€16„103€be€added€to€Rule€16„205.€€Mr.€SykesŠ pĄ  Šremarked€that€Rule€16„205€contains€a€limitation€on€the€power€toŠ !l" Šdesignate€another€judge€to€hear€pretrial€matters.€€Mr.€SykesŠ Č"$ Šexpressed€the€concern€that€the€Program€judge€could€be€ill.€€JudgeŠ t$Ä& ŠPlatt€responded€that€the€provision€in€Rule€16„205€(e)€is€notŠ  &p!( Šintended€to€limit€the€authority€of€the€Administrative€judge,€but€Š Ģ'#* Šif€the€attorneys€in€a€case€really€want€the€Program€judge€to€hearŠ x)Č$, Šthe€case,€there€has€to€be€assurance€that€unless€the€Program€judgeŠ $+t&. Šis€ill,€he€or€she€will€hear€the€case.€€He€suggested€that€aŠ Š, (0 ŠCommittee€note€be€added€which€would€indicate€that€the€language€ofŠ |.Ģ)2 ŠRule€16„205€is€not€intended€to€limit€the€authority€provided€byŠ ° ŠRule€16„103.€€€Š \¬ Šą  ąMr.€Sykes€questioned€as€to€whether€the€intention€is€that€theŠ X ŠProgram€judge€stays€with€the€case.€€The€Chair€replied€thatŠ “  Šusually€the€Program€judge€remains€with€the€case,€but€if€there€areŠ ` ° Šspecial€circumstances,€the€administrative€judge€may€appointŠ  \  Šanother€judge.€€Referring€to€the€issue€about€setting€the€trialŠ ø  Šdate,€Mr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€said€that€Judge€Weinstein€had€tried€a€system€ofŠ d“  Šassigning€a€trial€date€early€on,€but€this€did€not€work.€€What€wasŠ `  Šsuccessful€was€assigning€the€trial€date€once€the€individual€caseŠ ¼  Šwas€assigned€to€a€judge.€€The€Chair€suggested€that€the€followingŠ hø Šlanguage€be€incorporated€into€Rule€16„205:€€š šthe€Program€judgeŠ d Šshall€promptly€hold€a€scheduling€conference€and€schedule€a€trialŠ Ą Šdate.šš€€Judge€Platt€remarked€that€his€own€experience€in€PrinceŠ l¼ ŠGeorgeššs€County€is€that€90%€of€the€dates€for€trials€are€set€inŠ h Šthe€complex€track€cases€at€the€scheduling€conference.€€However,Š Ä Šsome€cases€should€not€have€the€date€set€at€this€time,€and€itŠ pĄ  Šwould€be€better€if€the€Rule€did€not€mandate€this.€€€Š !l" Šą  ąJudge€Mason€noted€that€in€Montgomery€County,€there€will€beŠ Č"$ Šone€or€two€Program€judges,€whose€calendars€will€fill€up€quickly.€Š t$Ä& ŠIt€is€difficult€to€commit€to€a€date€12€or€18€months€later.€€TheŠ  &p!( ŠChair€suggested€that€the€Rule€provide:€€š šThe€Program€judge€shallŠ Ģ'#* Špromptly€hold€a€scheduling€conference€at€which€the€judge€shallŠ x)Č$, Šdiscuss€Ō_ŌADRŌ_Ō€and€the€trial€date.šš€€Mr.€Ō_ŌBraultŌ_Ō€said€that€in€PrinceŠ $+t&. ŠGeorgeššs€County,€it€is€difficult€to€get€a€trial€date€in€Track€4Š Š, (0 Šcases.€€Judge€Missouri€responded€that€in€Prince€Georgeššs€County,Š |.Ģ)2 Štrial€dates€were€given€out€immediately,€but€so€many€dates€failedŠ ° Šthat€now€the€attorneys€are€consulted.€€The€Rule€should€provideŠ \¬ Šflexibility.€Š X Šą  ąThe€Reporter€pointed€out€that€Rule€2„323,€Answer,€does€notŠ “  Šrequire€the€defendant€to€file€an€information€report.€€If€theŠ ` ° Šplaintiff€asks€to€be€in€the€business€and€technology€program,Š  \  Šshould€the€defendant€be€required€to€file€an€information€report?€Š ø  ŠMr.€Titus€responded€that€the€defendant€should€file€only€if€he€orŠ d“  Šshe€disagrees€with€the€plaintiffššs€information€report.€€TheŠ `  ŠReporter€commented€that€the€triage€judge€needs€as€muchŠ ¼  Šinformation€as€possible.€€The€Chair€responded€that€if€theŠ hø Šplaintiff€wants€to€utilize€the€business€and€technology€program,Š d Šhe€or€she€can€so€designate€on€the€information€report.€€Any€otherŠ Ą Šparty€wishing€to€utilize€the€program€can€file€a€motion€pursuantŠ l¼ Što€Rule€2„311,€Motions.€€Judge€Heller€observed€that€under€theŠ h Šcurrent€Rule,€the€defendant€must€file€an€information€report,€ifŠ Ä Šthe€defendant€disagrees€with€the€plaintiffššs€report.€€The€ChairŠ pĄ  Šquestioned€as€to€what€happens€if€the€defendant€wants€the€caseŠ !l" Šassigned€to€the€Program,€but€the€plaintiff€does€not€file€anŠ Č"$ Šinformation€report.€€Judge€Heller€answered€that€under€Rule€2„323Š t$Ä& Š(h),€the€defendant€must€file€a€report€if€the€plaintiff€fails€toŠ  &p!( Šfile€one.€€The€Chair€said€that€there€could€be€a€Committee€note€orŠ Ģ'#* Ša€cross€reference€to€Rule€2„323€added€to€Rule€16„205.€€€€Š x)Č$, Šą  ąThe€Chair€asked€if€the€Committee€approved€the€Rule,€subjectŠ $+t&. Što€styling.€€The€Committee€approved€the€Rule€by€consensus€asŠ Š, (0 Šamended,€subject€to€styling.€€Judge€Platt€inquired€as€to€when€theŠ |.Ģ)2 ŠStyle€Subcommittee€would€consider€the€Rule,€and€the€ReporterŠ ° Šreplied€that€it€would€be€on€October€31,€2001.€€The€Chair€statedŠ \¬ Šthat€the€business€and€technology€consultants€would€be€invited€toŠ X Šthe€meeting€to€be€held€at€9:30€a.m.€at€Mr.€Bowenššs€office.Š “  ŠÓÓĢAgenda€Item€3.€€Consideration€of€a€proposed€amendment€to€Form€No.Š 6 †  Š€€5,€Domestic€Relations€Interrogatories,€in€Appendix:€Forms,€FormŠ  \  Š€€InterrogatoriesŠ ā 2  Š_________________________________________________________________Š ø  ŠĢÓÓą  ąThe€Reporter€presented€Form€No.€5,€Domestic€RelationsŠ d“  ŠInterrogatories,€for€the€Committeeššs€consideration.€€Š `  ŠÓÓĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą@˜ ˜ ģąMARYLAND€RULES€OF€PROCEDUREˆŠ ’ā ŠĢą@hh#ģąAPPENDIX:€FORMSˆŠ >Ž ŠĢą@<< ģąFORM€INTERROGATORIESˆŠ ź: ŠĢĢą ø ąAMEND€Form€No.€5€„€Domestic€RelationsŠ l¼ ŠInterrogatories,€by€removing€the€wordŠ B’ Šš šextremešš€from€Standard€Domestic€RelationsŠ h ŠInterrogatory€No.€15,€as€follows:Š ī> ŠĢĢForm€No.€5€„€Domestic€RelationsŠ pĄ  ŠInterrogatoriesŠ F –! ŠĢĢą@hh#ģąInterrogatoriesˆŠ Č"$ ŠĢĢ€€€.€.€.Š J%š ' ŠĢą ø ą15.€€If€you€contend€that€your€spouseššsŠ ö&F") Šconduct€was€excessively€vicious€or€that€yourŠ Ģ'#* Šspouse€acted€with€ņ ņextremeó ó€cruelty€orŠ ¢(ņ#+ Šconstructively€deserted€you,€describe€yourŠ x)Č$, Šspouseššs€conduct€and€state€the€date€andŠ N*ž%- Šnature€of€any€injuries€sustained€by€you€andŠ $+t&. Šthe€date,€nature,€and€provider€of€health€careŠ ś+J'/ Šservices€rendered€to€you.€€ņ ņIdentifyó ó€allŠ Š, (0 Šņ ņpersonsó ó€with€personal€knowledge€of€yourŠ “-)1 Šspouseššs€conduct€and€all€ņ ņpersonsó ó€withŠ ˜.č)2 Šknowledge€of€any€injuries€you€sustained€as€aŠ ° Šresult€of€that€conduct.€€(Standard€DomesticŠ †Ö ŠRelations€Interrogatory€No.€15.)Š \¬ ŠĢ€€€.€.€.Š X ŠĢĢҰ` ŅҰ` Ņą  ąForm€No.€5€was€accompanied€by€the€following€Reporterššs€Note.Š Š Ś ŠĢŅ` °ŅŅ` °Ņą ø ąFranklin€B.€Ō_ŌOlmsteadŌ_Ō,€Esq.,€pointed€outŠ 6 †  Šthat€Code,€Family€Law€Article,€šššš7„102€(a)(1)Š  \  Šand€7„103€(a)(7)€provide€that€š šcruelty€ofŠ ā 2  Štreatmentšš€is€a€ground€for€divorce.€€This€isŠ ø  Šinconsistent€with€Standard€Domestic€RelationsŠ ŽŽ  ŠInterrogatory€No.€15€which€uses€the€languageŠ d“  Šš šextreme€cruelty.šš€€The€DiscoveryŠ :Š  ŠSubcommittee€is€recommending€that€the€wordŠ `  Šš šextremešš€be€deleted€from€the€interrogatory.Š ę6 ŠĢĢҰ` ŅҰ` ŅÓÓą  ąThe€Reporter€explained€that€Franklin€B.€Ō_ŌOlmsteadŌ_Ō,€Esq.,€hadŠ hø Šsent€in€a€comment€pointing€out€that€Code,€Family€Law€Article,Š d Ššššš7„102€(a)(1)€and€7„103€(a)(7)€state€that€š šcruelty€of€treatmentššŠ Ą Šis€a€ground€for€divorce,€but€Form€No.€5€uses€the€languageŠ l¼ Šš šextreme€cruelty.šš€€The€Assistant€Reporter€had€done€researchŠ h Šwhich€indicated€that€neither€the€Code€nor€case€law€uses€theŠ Ä Šlanguage€of€the€Form.€€Mr.€Ō_ŌHochbergŌ_Ō€suggested€that€Form€No.€5Š pĄ  Šshould€read€as€follows:€€š šIf€you€contend€that€...€your€spouse€isŠ !l" Šguilty€of€cruelty€of€treatment...šš.€€This€would€conform€to€theŠ Č"$ Šstatutory€language.€€The€Committee€approved€this€suggestion€byŠ t$Ä& Šconsensus.€€Š  &p!( Šą  ąThe€Chair€adjourned€the€meeting.Š Ģ'#* Š