4. Other Civil Cases
U.S. District Court of Maryland Local Rules (December 1, 2025)
V. COURT ADMINISTRATION AND SECURITY
RULE 501. ASSIGNMENT OF CASES
1. In General
This Rule governs the assignment of cases to judges of the Court and among the two (2)
divisions of the Court. It is a rule of administrative convenience, and it is not intended to,
nor does it, confer any rights upon any litigant. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Rule,
the Court may assign a case to a judge in a division other than the one specified in this Rule.
All cases will be assigned to one (1) of the judges of the Court. With the exception of
cases referred to magistrate judges, all proceedings in a particular case will usually be held
before the judge to whom that case is assigned.
2. Removals
A case removed from a state tribunal shall be assigned to one (1) of the judges sitting in
the division of the Court in which the state tribunal is located.
3. Prisoner Cases
All district judges shall be assigned a pro-rata share of all (i) habeas corpus cases and (ii)
civil rights cases filed by prisoners.
4. Other Civil Cases
Other civil cases shall be assigned in accordance with the provisions set forth in this
paragraph, with priority accorded to the first provision that may be applicable. Any
questions about a particular assignment shall be decided by the Court.
a) Cases Involving Government Agencies
i) A case in which a Maryland local government or agency is a party shall be assigned to a
judge sitting in the division of the Court in which the principal office of the local
government or agency is located.
ii) A case in which the United States, the State of Maryland, or one of their agencies and
a non-governmental entity or individual residing in Maryland are opposing parties shall be
assigned to a judge sitting in the division of the Court in which the non-governmental party
resides.
