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• October 15, 2018:  SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Probate Procedure regarding forms and private information.  Comments due by October 29, 2018.


• October 12, 2018: The Chief Justice invites input from the bar on Civil Process Reform. Letters of interest in serving on working group invited through October 23, 2018. Public hearing scheduled for October 24, 2018. Documents relating to the proposal, including comments received in response to the invitation for comment, are available on the Civil Justice Reform page.


• October 10, 2018: Maine Judicial Branch Announces e-filing for Violations Bureau Cases. The Maine Judicial Branch announces that the first phase of the Maine court system’s new case management and e-filing system, Odyssey, will be rolled out for traffic violation cases statewide on October 29.


• October 10, 2018: Maine Supreme Court Honors Lawyers Who Have Provided Free Legal Services to Those in Need. Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program recognizes lawyers providing 50 or more hours of pro bono assistance in 2018.


• September 18, 2018: The Justices of the SJC have issued a procedural order on the question from the House of Representatives on whether the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may operate a casino on its land without permission from the State. Briefs due by noon on October 12, 2018. The Court will post all documents relating to the question on the page dedicated to the question.


• September 17, 2018: The Maine Supreme Judicial Court invites comments on a proposed amendment to the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct to prohibit attorneys from engaging in sexual relations with clients.  Comments due by October 15, 2018. Public hearing to be held on October 23, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in Portland.


• September 17, 2018: Law Court invites amicus briefs on a probationer's right to effective assistance of counsel at a probation revocation hearing and right to challenge counsel's effectiveness in a post-conviction review proceeding.  Amicus briefs due by October 11, 2018.


• September 5, 2018: Supreme Judicial Court invites comments on proposed civil justice reform to adopt Differentiated Case Management principles as described in the Court's posted summary entitled "Civil Justice Reform for Maine's Courts." Comments due by October 5, 2018. Court will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in the SJC Courtroom in the Cumberland County Courthouse.


• August 9, 2018: The SJC has adopted amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure modifying the effective date for amendments to M.R. Civ. P. 80F, regarding traffic infractions, and modifying the time for replies to oppositions to motions in civil matters.


• July 26, 2018: The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will hold a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland, in Courtroom 12, to receive oral comments regarding a proposed amendment to the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct to prohibit harassment and discrimination.


• July 19, 2018: The SJC has adopted amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure on public access to Violations Bureau records; to the Maine Bar Rules on continuing legal education requirements on avoiding harassment and discrimination; and to the Maine Rules of Probate Procedure on challenges to probates of wills and on efiling requirements.


• July 12, 2018: The SJC has adopted amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure to require in third-party practice electronic service of documents, after the intiial complaint and summons, between attorneys and unrepresented parties who opt in to electronic service. Rules effective on July 11, 2018.


• July 1, 2018: The SJC has adopted amendments to the Maine Rules of Evidence regarding prior consistent statements of a witness and business records. Rules effective on August 1, 2018.


• July 1, 2018: The SJC has adopted amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure to require electronic service of documents, after the intiial complaint and summons, between attorneys and unrepresented parties who opt in to electronic service. Rules effective on July 1, 2018.


• April 4, 2018: Katahdin Counsel Recognition Ceremonies- Ceremonies to thank Maine lawyers who have contributed 50 or more hours of pro bono legal services to Maine's neediest populations during the 2016-2017 reporting period will be held on the following dates and locations:
  • Portland, May 3, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. in Courtroom 11 of the Cumberland County Courthouse;
  • Augusta, May 3, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the historic Superior Court courtroom in the old section of the Capital Judicial Center; and
  • Bangor, May 4, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 202 on the second floor of the Penobscot Judicial Center.

• March 15, 2018: The Maine Statistical Analysis Center at the Muskie School of Public Service recently released the 2017 Court Access and Fairness Survey Report. This report summarizes the findings from the 2017 Maine Court Access and Fairness Survey, which asked survey participants to respond to a series of court “access” and “fairness” questions. The survey was conducted in March 2017 and was completed by 1,039 participants, all of whom were visitors to various courthouses across the State of Maine. The survey results summarized in this report are part of ongoing efforts by the Maine Judicial Branch (MJB) to be responsive to the government and the public. Findings from this research were positive, reflecting court users’ belief that courts are both accessible and fair. Read or download the report here.

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