Notices

This page carries all public notices issued by the Court, including opportunites to comment on proposed rules or policies; invitations to file amicus briefs in Law Court cases; and notices of public hearings.

• 6/6/2025: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to Rule 6 of the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems, governing access to juvenile court records. Comments due by June 12, 2025.
• 6/3/2025: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Bar Rules regarding the Board Clerk and the scope of "attorney regulation." Comments due by June 17, 2025
• 5/27/2025: SJC invites comments on revised proposed amendments to the order and rules governing the Committee on Judicial Conduct, including as to judicial consideration of reports of the Committee. Comments due by June 9, 2025
• 4/17/2025: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems regarding electronic signatures and oaths. Comments due by May 1, 2025.
• 4/14/2025: SJC invites comments on proposed Maine Rules of Family Procedure to govern family-related cases in the District Court in place of the Rules of Civil Procedure. Comments due by June 9, 2025
• 3/11/2025: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Unified Criminal Procedure regarding prosecutors' oaths on complaints and warrant requests outside the warrant issuer's presence. Comments due by March 25, 2025
• 2/26/2025: Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill's 2025 State of the Judiciary Speech
• 2/13/2025: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Bar Admission Rules regarding admission by motion. Comments due by March 6, 2025.
• 1/29/2025: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Bar Admission Rules regarding application fees. Comments due by February 19, 2025.
• 1/28/2025: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Probate Procedure regarding electronic filing and public access to electronic court records. Comments due by February 25, 2025.
• 1/17/2025: SJC invites comments on proposed amendment to the Maine Rules of Evidence to add an exception to the rule against hearsay. Comments due by February 14, 2025.
• 1/10/2025: Law Court invites amicus briefs regarding the effect of a party's death during an appeal from a divorce judgment. Amicus briefs due by February 10, 2025
• 1/9/2025: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to rules governing the Committee on Judicial Conduct and the consideration of reports of the Committee. Comments due by January 23, 2025.
• 12/31/2024: Law Court invites amicus briefs on appointment and authority of municipal park rangers. Amicus briefs due by January 27, 2025
• 10/1/2024: Supreme Judicial Court to Hold Oral Arguments at Three Maine High Schools
• 8/28/2024: SJC invites comments on a proposed amendment to the Maine Bar Rules that would provide CLE credit for pro bono service. Comments due by September 25, 2024.
• 8/7/2024: Updated Aug. 12, 2024: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure regarding service of the statement of claim and notice of disclosure hearing. Comments due by September 4, 2024.
• 8/2/2024: SJC invites comments on proposed amendment to the Maine Code of Judicial Conduct regarding application of the Code to candidates for nomination to a judicial office. Comments due by August 23, 2024.
• 8/2/2024: SJC invites comments on proposed amendment to the Maine Bar Admission Rules regarding temporary permission to practice with the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services. Comments due by August 23, 2024.
• 5/17/2024: SJC invites comments on a proposed amendment to the Maine Bar Admission Rules regarding applicant interviews. Comments due by June 14, 2024
• 5/17/2024: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure regarding motions for reconsideration and page numbering in briefs and appendices. Comments due by June 14, 2024.
• 3/14/2024: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure regarding electronic filing and service of documents; motions practice; and sentence appeals. Comments due by April 11, 2024.
• 2/20/2024: Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill to Deliver State of the Judiciary
• 12/12/2023: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to Rules 126 and 127 of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure regarding probate matters in the District Court. Comments due by December 26, 2023.
• 11/2/2023: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to Rule 80D of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure regarding forcible entry and detainer actions. Comments due by November 16, 2023.
• 10/19/2023: SJC invites comments on propoosed amendment to the Maine Bar Admission Rules to permit admission by motion of attorneys who attended law school remotely
• 9/28/2023: Supreme Judicial Court to Hold Oral Arguments at Three Maine High Schools
• 9/11/2023: Law Court invites amicus briefs on constitutionality of Maine's stalking statute as applied in light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision
• 9/8/2023: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the rules of professional and judicial conduct clarifying that participants in the Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers and Judges are not required to report information obtained in the program
• 9/1/2023: Judicial Branch Update on Maine eCourts Implementation
• 8/1/2023: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure making technical changes and clarifying various rules, in part to ensure consistency with the Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems. Comments due by September 1, 2023
• 6/23/2023: Law Court invites amicus briefs regarding the constitutionality and application of 2021 legislation removing the statute of limitations for "actions based on sexual acts toward minors"
• 5/18/2023: SJC invites comments on proposed amendment to Rule 92 of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure regarding mediation in Title 32 consumer collection actions. Comments due by June 1, 2023.
• 3/23/2023: Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill Delivers State of the Judiciary
• 2/3/2023: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Bar Admission Rules regarding payment of application fee and time limits for admission to the bar. Comments due by February 17, 2023.
• 1/17/2023: Law Court invites amicus briefs regarding foreclosure when debtor is deceased, time for probate has passed, and property is owned by surviving joint tenant, who is not liable on the note
• 12/12/2022: Chief Justice Stanfill discusses the current challenges facing Maine's justice system on Maine Calling
• 11/16/2022: Judicial Branch Invites Members of the Public to Sign Up to Receive Supreme Judicial Court Opinions and Notices
• 10/12/2022: Law Court invites amicus briefs regarding whether the title "Warranty Deed" by itself conveys real property with warranty covenants
• 10/12/2022: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure regarding mediation in collection actions brought against a consumer. Comments due by October 26, 2022.
• 9/26/2022: Supreme Judicial Court to Hold Oral Arguments at Two Local High Schools
• 9/23/2022: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to Rule 110A of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure regarding authority of Family Law Magistrates to issue interim orders. Comments due by October 7, 2022.
• 9/13/2022: Law Court invites amicus briefs regarding the right of an accused under Maine law and the Maine Constitution to notice of the right to counsel before being interrogated while in custody
• 8/23/2022: Law Court invites amicus briefs regarding preclusive effect of judgment in favor of mortgagor on future actions to enforce a promissory note and mortgage
• 8/2/2022: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Bar Rules regarding transcripts and release of information to law enforcement and the Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers and Judges. Comments due by August 16, 2022.
• 8/2/2022: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure regarding prehearing procedure, orders relating to real estate, and abstracts of divorce in family matters. Comments due by August 16, 2022.
• 7/13/2022: SJC adopts amendments to the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure
• 6/15/2022: UPDATED: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to several provisions of the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure
• 6/15/2022: UPDATED: Law Court invites amicus briefs regarding a criminal defendant's right to a speedy trial under the Maine Constitution
• 5/26/2022: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Bar Admission Rules regarding board officers and MPRE requirement
• 5/20/2022: Judicial Branch ShareFile Program Expanding to More Courts
• 5/17/2022: Maine Bar Rules to Require Lawyers to Provide an Email Address When Registering
• 5/6/2022: Law Court to Hold Oral Arguments in the CMP Corridor Cases on May 10, 2022
• 5/3/2022: Supreme Judicial Court to Hold Oral Arguments at Local High School for the First Time Since 2019
• 4/7/2022: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure regarding default and default judgments
• 3/15/2022: Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill Delivers State of the Judiciary
• 12/22/2021: The SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Bar Rules that will require Maine attorneys to maintain an email address for electronic service of documents.
• 10/8/2021: SJC adopts amendments to the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure
• 10/7/2021: SJC adopts amendments to Maine Rules of Civil Procedure
• 10/1/2021: Maine Judicial Branch Announces Expansion of Remote Court Proceedings
• 9/9/2021: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure to govern Title 19-A petitions to terminate parental rights and placements of children in residential treatment programs. Comments due Sept. 23, 2021.
• 8/20/2021: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to appellate rules to recognize the implementation of electronic filing, expedite appeals from juvenile bind-over determinations, and clarify the confidentiality of briefs and appendices
• 8/17/2021: Maine Judicial Branch Reinstates Face Mask Requirement for All Courthouse Visitors
• 7/20/2021: SJC issues order granting in part petition to extend deadlines for apportionment
• 7/1/2021: Maine Judicial Branch Ends Face Mask Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Courthouse Visitors
• 6/17/2021: Maine Judicial Branch Welcomes New Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill
• 6/1/2021: Maine Judicial Branch rescinds Phased Management Plan and issues new Post-Pandemic Orders
• 5/27/2021: Notice of Opportunity for Comment -- Extension of Apportionment Deadlines and Authority of Apportionment Commission to Act After June 1, 2021
• 5/27/2021: Maine Judicial Branch limits email case filing as pandemic restrictions begin to ease
• 5/3/2021: Maine Judicial Branch announces invitation for input in post-COVID planning
• 4/30/2021: Law Court invites amicus briefs on anti-SLAPP suits
• 3/17/2021: Acting Chief Justice Mead delivers State of the Judiciary
• 2/22/2021: Maine Judicial Branch seeks feedback and suggestions on ways to improve the Maine eCourts eFiling and Case Management System
• 2/22/2021: Revised screening procedures for visitors who traveled out of state
• 1/22/2021: SJC adopts amendments to Maine Rules of Civil Procedure
• 1/12/2021: Maine Judicial Branch ensures social distancing by revising court procedures for arraignments
• 12/22/2020: Maine Judicial Branch adds temperature checks to COVID-19 courthouse safety screenings; extends the date for COVID-19 FED procedures to March 31, 2021
• 12/16/2020: SJC adopts amendments to Maine Rules of Civil Procedure
• 12/15/2020: Judicial Branch issues new and revised Pandemic Management Orders, modifications to the Rules of Electronic Court Systems and accompanying Administrative Order
• 12/14/2020: SJC adopts amendments to the Maine Rules for Electronic Court Systems
• 11/24/2020: Notice of Opportunity for Comment on proposed revisions to Pandemic Management Order PMO-SJC-8
• 11/24/2020: Notice of Opportunity for Comment on proposed revisions to Pandemic Management Orders PMO-SJC-3 and PMO-SJC-3A
• 11/3/2020: Supreme Judicial Court issues a revised Phased Management Plan, two Pandemic Management Orders, and a statement from Acting Chief Justice Mead
• 10/8/2020: Supreme Judicial Court issues revision to PMO-SJC-1
• 9/28/2020: Supreme Judicial Court issues revision to PMO-SJC-3
• 9/23/2020: Judicial Branch announces new and revised Pandemic Management Orders
• 9/4/2020: Supreme Judicial Court issues revision to PMO-SJC-7
• 9/3/2020: Supreme Judicial Court issues replacement to PMO-SJC-3
• 8/28/2020: Revision to COVID-19 Phased Management Plan released
• 8/21/2020: Supreme Judicial Court Promulgates Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (RECS)
• 8/13/2020: Supreme Judicial Court issues statement regarding Maine Bar Exam