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Latest News
September 23, 2020: The Maine Judicial Branch announced today new and revised Pandemic Management Orders including a revision to PMO-SJC-3 and a new order PMO-SJC-8.
September 4, 2020: The Supreme Judicial Court issued a revision to PMO-SJC-7: Order Regarding Trial Court Remote Proceedings and Public Access. The revision clarifies the presumed format for court proceedings; the process for requesting an alternative format for court proceedings; the conduction of remote court proceedings; and public access to both in-person and remote court proceedings.
September 3, 2020: The Supreme Judicial Court issued a replacement for PMO-SJC-3: Order Regarding Submission of Documents by Email. Effective September 8, 2020, with few exceptions, the Clerks' offices will NOT accept the electronic filing of documents through email. Attorneys and parties may submit proposed orders only, in Word format, to the email address: proposedorders@courts.maine.gov.
September 1, 2020: The Maine Judicial Branch has set up a high-profile case page to post information on the appeal of David A. Jones et al. v. Secretary of State (People's Veto Petition on Ranked-choice Voting).
August 28, 2020: The Maine Judicial Branch announced today that the Rumford District Court, located in the Town of Rumford Municipal Building, will be closed today, August 28, because an officer of the Rumford Police Department tested positive for COVID-19.
August 28, 2020: The Judicial Branch has released a revision to the State of Maine Judicial Branch COVID-19 Phased Management Plan. The updated Plan extends the starting date for Phase 5 from October 19 to November 9. Phase 5 includes the resumption of jury trials.
August 21, 2020: The Judicial Branch announced today the adoption of the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (RECS) which set forth the standards for access to electronic court records and efiling processes available through Maine eCourts.
August 18, 2020: The Judicial Branch announced today the Millinocket District Court will be closed on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 in light of recent reports of a COVID-19 outbreak at a wedding event. There have been no reports of exposure at the courthouse.
August 13, 2020: The Supreme Judicial Court issued a statement regarding the Maine Bar Examination scheduled for September 30-October 1, 2020.
August 7, 2020: The Maine Judicial Branch announced today that Maine eCourts is being rolled out in Bangor courts this fall for many types of civil cases and family matters.
July 31, 2020: The Judicial Branch announced today a revision to the State of Maine Judicial Branch COVID-19 Phased Management Plan and issued PMO-SJC-7 regarding trial court remote proceedings and public access.
July 23, 2020: The Supreme Judicial Court issued a revision to the affidavit, Cares Act and Federal Programs Verification for Forcible Entry and Detainer, found in appendix A of PMO-SJC-6.
July 21, 2020: The Maine Judicial Branch announced today the release of PMO-SJC-6: Emergency Rules from the Supreme Judicial Court for Forcible Entry and Detainer (Eviction) Cases setting forth procedures that will apply to all Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) (eviction) cases pending from March 18, 2020, the date of the first order issued by the Supreme Judicial Court in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, through August 31, 2020.
July 2, 2020: The Supreme Judicial Court has established a high-profile case page for the matter of Avangrid Networks, Inc., et al. v. Secretary of State et al., an appeal from an order of the Superior Court (Cumberland County) dismissing Avangrid Networks' complaint seeking to enjoin the Secretary of State from placing a citizen initiative to reject the New England Clean Energy Connect Transmission Project on the November 3, 2020, ballot. The Court invites briefs of amici curiae. Details on the procedure for the matter are available on the high-profile case page and in the procedural order issued by the Court.
July 2, 2020: The Judicial Branch announced today an update to the State of Maine Judicial Branch COVID-19 Phased Management Plan, expanding the maximum number of people permitted in a courtroom from 10 to 50 beginning in Phase 3. Social distancing requirements will remain in effect.
June 18, 2020: The Supreme Judicial Court has established a high-profile case page for the matter of Payne v. Secretary of State, a reported matter from the Superior Court on issues relating to the people's veto petition regarding An Act to Implement Ranked-choice Voting for Presidential Primary and General Elections in Maine, L.D. 1083 of the 129th Legislature. The Court invites briefs of amici curiae. Details on the procedure for the matter are available on the high-profile case page and in the procedural order issued by the Court.
June 15, 2020: Law Court invites amicus briefs on termination of parental rights of a parent who is unable to provide direct care of a child, when the child is
being cared for safely and appropriately
by relatives under a guardianship. Briefs due by July 13, 2020.
June 8, 2020: The Supreme Judicial Court issued a statement on efforts to deliver equal justice and combat racism.
June 5, 2020: The Supreme Judicial Court issued a revision to PMO-SJC-2 to consolidate, clarify, correct, and ratify earlier emergency orders, including the administration of oaths at depositions conducted remotely via audio-video communication equipment and other matters.
June 4, 2020: The Supreme Judicial Court issued a revision to PMO-SJC-4 to allow for the refund of fees paid to the Maine Board of Bar Examiners for the cancelled July examination dates under certain circumstances.
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