1. Judgment by Confession
U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (December 1, 2025)
c) Notice to Defendants
Immediately upon the entry of a judgment pursuant to paragraph (b) above, the Clerk
shall issue a notice for the defendant notifying said party of the entry of the judgment and
requiring defendant to appear in the cause wherein it is entered within thirty (30) days or
such other time as may be required by statute or rule after the service of the notice and
show, if such be the case, that said party did not voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently
waive the right to notice and a prejudgment hearing on the merits of the claim, or otherwise
show cause why the judgment should be vacated, opened, or modified.
d) Application to Vacate Judgment
Application to vacate, open, or modify the judgment must be made by motion within
thirty (30) days after service of the notice, or such other time as may be required by statute
or rule. The motion shall be made on the ground that the defendant has a meritorious
defense to the cause of action. It shall set forth fully the facts relied on for such defense. A
copy of the motion shall be served on the plaintiff or his attorney. If no application is
made within the time allowed, the judgment shall be final.
e) Determination of Motion
The motion shall be considered and determined as promptly as possible by the Court.
If the evidence presented establishes that there are substantial and sufficient grounds for an
actual controversy as to the merits of the case, the Court shall order the judgment by
confession vacated, opened, or modified, with leave to the defendant to file a pleading, and
the case shall stand for trial. If the evidence does not establish that there are substantial and
sufficient grounds for actual controversy as to the merits of the case, the judgment shall
stand to the same extent as a final judgment.
f) Failure to Effect Service
If the notice issued under section (c) is not served despite reasonable efforts to effect
service, the Court, upon petition of the plaintiff setting forth an account of the efforts
made to effect service, shall provide for notice to the defendant in the manner provided by
statute or rule.
g) Address of Defendant Unknown
Where the affidavit indicates that the address of the defendant is unknown, a judgment
shall not be entered except upon order of Court, and the Court shall provide notice to the
defendant pursuant to statute or rule.
