COURT ALERTS IN EFFECT. Home → News & Announcements
News & Announcements
- 4/30/2025: Courthouse Greeter Pilot Program Launching at the York Judicial Center in Biddeford
- 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
- 4/5/2025: Agreement Finalized to Relocate New Hancock Judicial Center
- 3/20/2025: Construction to Begin at Cumberland County Courthouse
- 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
- 3/3/2025: Judicial Branch Warns about Court-related Scam Calls
- 2/26/2025: Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill's 2025 State of the Judiciary Speech
- 2/21/2025: Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill to Deliver State of the Judiciary Address
- 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: Building housing the Newport District Court closed until further notice
- 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.
- 1/27/2025: Newport District Court Closed Until Further Notice; In-Person Proceedings to be held in Bangor
- 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.
- 1/17/2025: Courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts Will Be Closed on January 20th
- 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
- 12/24/2024: Judicial Branch Holiday Schedule
- 12/10/2024: Judicial Branch Announces Expansion of eFiling to include Criminal and Juvenile Cases in Lewiston and Auburn Courts
- 11/27/2024: Judicial Branch Thanksgiving Schedule
- 11/8/2024: Judicial Branch Courts to be Closed on Monday, November 11
- 10/10/2024: Judicial Branch courts will be closed Monday, October 14, 2024
- 10/1/2024: Supreme Judicial Court to Hold Oral Arguments at Three Maine High Schools
- 8/30/2024: Judicial Branch Courts Closed Monday, September 2, 2024
- 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.
- 8/1/2024: Maine Justice Foundation Announces Recipients of the 2024 Access to Justice Tax Credit Program
- 7/9/2024: Judicial Branch Recognizes Employees for Outstanding Work
- 7/8/2024: Upcoming Court Interpreter Orientation
- 7/1/2024: Judicial Branch courts will be closed July 4th & 5th
- 6/17/2024: Judicial Branch Statement Regarding Leein Hinkley
- 6/17/2024: Judicial Branch courts will be closed Wed., June 19, 2024
- 6/14/2024: Judicial Branch Statement Regarding Not Building Ellsworth Courthouse on Current Site
- 6/10/2024: Judicial Branch Adds Protection from Abuse and Harassment Cases to eFileMaine
- 5/30/2024: Applications Open for the 2024 Access to Justice Tax Credit Program
- 5/24/2024: Judicial Branch Courts will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024 to commemorate Memorial Day.
- 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.
- 5/16/2024: Morton A. Brody Distinguished Judicial Service Award 2024
- 5/9/2024: TEMPORARY CLOSURE NOTICE: NO PUBLIC PARKING IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PARKING GARAGE
- 5/8/2024: Judicial Branch Is Adding Protection from Abuse and Harassment Cases in Courts that have Implemented eFiling
- 4/1/2024: Maine eCourts and eFiling Expands to Rumford, Farmington, and South Paris Courts
- 3/21/2024: Franklin and Oxford County Courts Prepare for April 1st Launch of Maine eCourts and eFiling
- 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.
- 3/11/2024: How to Become an Interpreter Information Session
- 2/27/2024: Upcoming eFiler Virtual Training Sessions
- 2/21/2024: Read Chief Justice Stanfill's 2024 State of the Judiciary Address
- 2/20/2024: Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill to Deliver State of the Judiciary
- 2/8/2024: Judicial Branch Announces Expansion of Maine eCourts to Rumford, Farmington, and South Paris Courts
- 1/16/2024: Judicial Branch Warns of Court-related Scams
- 1/4/2024: Maine Judicial Branch Responds to Bomb Threat
- 12/18/2023: Holiday Closures
- 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.
- 12/1/2023: SJC seeks member of public to serve on Guardian Ad Litem Review Board. Applications due by December 29, 2023.
- 11/17/2023: Thanksgiving Holiday Closure Notice -- 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 22-24, 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.
- 10/26/2023: State Courts and Facilities in Lewiston, Auburn, and West Bath Closed Friday, Oct. 27th
- 10/26/2023: State Courts and Facilities in Lewiston and Auburn Closed Thursday, Oct. 26th
- 10/23/2023: Judicial Branch Announces Expansion of eFiling in Lewiston and Auburn Courts
- 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
- 10/18/2023: Notice of Upcoming Change to the Preliminary Injunction for Divorces and Judicial Separations
- 9/28/2023: Supreme Judicial Court to Hold Oral Arguments at Three Maine High Schools
- 9/28/2023: Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers & Judges Executive Director Search
- 9/19/2023: Maine eCourts in Lewiston & Auburn Virtual Presentation (Session 2)
- 9/18/2023: The Family Rules Advisory Committee (FRAC) Announces CLE Event on Draft Revisions to the Maine Family Division Rules of Civil Procedure
- 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
- 8/2/2023: eFiler Virtual Training Sessions Announced
- 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
- 7/26/2023: Judicial Branch Warns about Court-related Scam Calls
- 7/24/2023: Judicial Branch Announces Process for the Appointment of Court-Paid Attorney Referees in Select Civil and Family Cases
- 7/20/2023: Judicial Branch Email Restored
- 7/18/2023: Judicial Branch Email System Unavailable
- 7/14/2023: Important Information for Attorneys with Jury Trials Regarding Access to Juror Questionnaires via ShareFile
- 6/28/2023: Judicial Branch Expands Resources for Self-Represented Litigants
- 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"
- 6/5/2023: Judicial Branch Announces Expansion of Maine eCourts to Lewiston and Auburn Courts
- 6/5/2023: Workload Study for Maine Trial Courts Released
- 5/31/2023: Judicial Branch to Celebrate Opening of the York Judicial Center in Biddeford
- 5/26/2023: 'Technology in the Courtroom' Demonstration to be Presented Following Opening Ceremony for the York Judicial Center
- 5/24/2023: GAL Core Training Scheduled for October
- 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.
- 5/1/2023: Judicial Branch recognizes national "Law Day" May 1st
- 4/13/2023: York County Courts Begin Move to York County Judicial Center in Biddeford
- 3/23/2023: Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill Delivers State of the Judiciary
- 2/3/2023: Judicial Branch Warns about Court-related Scam Calls
- 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
- 12/8/2022: York County District Court Bench Schedules Family Law Bench/Bar Meeting Dec. 12th
- 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
- 8/17/2022: Maine Justice Foundation Announces Access to Justice Tax Credit Awards for 2022
- 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
- 7/1/2022: Maine Judicial Branch Warns about Court-related Scam Calls
- 6/28/2022: Maine Judicial Branch ShareFile Program Expanding Statewide
- 6/24/2022: Maine Judicial Branch Welcomes Summer Interns
- 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
- 5/27/2022: Revised Court Fees Schedule JB-05-26 (A. 6-22) in effect June 1
- 5/26/2022: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Bar Admission Rules regarding board officers and MPRE requirement
- 5/25/2022: Maine Justice Foundation Seeks Applications for the Access to Justice Tax Credit Program
- 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
- 4/15/2022: Judicial Branch Expanding ShareFile Pilot Program to Aroostook, Hancock, and Washington County Courts
- 4/7/2022: SJC invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure regarding default and default judgments
- 3/23/2022: Maine Judicial Branch Launches Referee Program to Tackle Family and Civil Case Backlog
- 3/15/2022: Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill Delivers State of the Judiciary
- 3/14/2022: Maine Judicial Branch Removes Mask Requirement for Most Courthouse Areas
- 2/9/2022: Guardian ad Litem Core Training scheduled March 28th through April 1st
- 2/8/2022: Judicial Branch Expanding ShareFile Pilot Program to All York County Courts
- 1/28/2022: Judicial Branch Awarded Grant to Establish Adult Drug Treatment Courts in Six Maine Counties
- 1/10/2022: Judicial Branch Reminds Visitors to Check the "Active Alerts" Link on Its Website Before Traveling to a Courthouse
- 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.
- 12/20/2021: Expansion and Renovation of the Historic Oxford County Courthouse
- 11/19/2021: The Supreme Judicial Court invites comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Bar Admission Rules to discontinue the use of the word "handicap" pursuant to recent legislation.
- 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.
- 9/2/2021: State Court Administrator Extends Summer Hours
- 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
- 7/13/2021: Maine Trial Courts Rescind Previously Issued Pandemic Management Order
- 7/1/2021: Maine Judicial Branch Ends Face Mask Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Courthouse Visitors
- 6/29/2021: Maine Courts Issue Scam Warning
- 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
- 5/3/2021: Temperature checks no longer required effective May 17, 2021
- 4/30/2021: Law Court invites amicus briefs on anti-SLAPP suits
- 4/13/2021: Maine Judicial Branch Mourns Passing of the Honorable Thomas E. Delahanty
- 3/17/2021: Acting Chief Justice Mead delivers State of the Judiciary
- 3/15/2021: Maine Judicial Branch issues scam warning
- 3/5/2021: Guardian ad Litem Core Training scheduled March 29th through April 2nd
- 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
- 1/21/2021: Maine Judicial Branch announces updates and fixes to eFileMaine
- 1/12/2021: Maine Judicial Branch ensures social distancing by revising court procedures for arraignments
- 1/12/2021: Biddeford District Court and York County Superior Court are closed today due to COVID-19 exposure
- 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
- 12/22/2020: Law Court invites amicus briefs on standard of review applicable to Boards of Appeals in land-use matters and on waiver of objection to use of incorrect standard of review
- 12/21/2020: Courthouse public hours reduced in response to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency
- 12/17/2020: Maine attorney tapped to lead National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA)
- 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
- 12/14/2020: Oxford County courthouse closed today due to COVID-19 exposure
- 11/24/2020: Notice of Opportunity for Comment on proposed revisions to Pandemic Management Order PMO-SJC-8
- 11/24/2020: eFiling launches in Bangor and the Business and Consumer docket on November 30
- 11/24/2020: Notice of Opportunity for Comment on proposed revisions to Pandemic Management Orders PMO-SJC-3 and PMO-SJC-3A
- 11/23/2020: Capital Judicial Center closed Nov. 24th and Nov. 25th
- 11/10/2020: New dates announced for the launch of Maine eCourts
- 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
- 9/30/2020: Judicial Branch issues update on eFiling and Tyler security breach
- 9/28/2020: Supreme Judicial Court issues revision to PMO-SJC-3
- 9/25/2020: Maine eCourts temporarily postponed
- 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
- 8/28/2020: Rumford District Court closed due to possible COVID-19 exposure
- 8/21/2020: Supreme Judicial Court Promulgates Maine Rules of Electronic Court Systems (RECS)
- 8/19/2020: Millinocket District Court closed Wednesday, August 19
- 8/13/2020: Supreme Judicial Court issues statement regarding Maine Bar Exam
- 8/7/2020: Maine eCourts in Bangor courts this fall