Maryland Court Exhibit Requirements
A comprehensive guide to preparing exhibits for Maryland courts under Md. Rule 2-401, including e-filing specifications via MDEC and formatting best practices.
Applying P-1/D-1 labels to a 40-exhibit set by hand takes about 2 hours. ExhibitPrep stamps the whole set with Md. Rule 2-401-compliant labels in minutes.
Opens the tool set up for Maryland — plaintiff: Prefix: "P-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "D-", Numbers starting at 1.
- Maryland's primary exhibit rule is Md. Rule 2-401.
- Plaintiffs label exhibits with P-1, P-2, P-3....
- Defendants label exhibits with D-1, D-2, D-3....
- The MDEC portal caps each document at 50 MB.
- Exhibit exchange deadline is 30 days before trial.
- Standard label position is the bottom-right corner of the first page; multi-page exhibits keep one number with per-page pagination ("Exhibit 1, p. 2 of 5").
- Bates numbering (page-level production identifiers) is independent of exhibit numbering and runs across the entire production.
Court rules and e-filing requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with your local court clerk or official court website before filing. This content is for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice.
Quick Reference
Updated 2026-01-3150 MB
P-1, P-2, P-3...
D-1, D-2, D-3...
30 days before trial
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
Discovery scope. Initial disclosure required within 30 days of answer. Must disclose supporting documents.
Formatting Requirements
Md. Rule 2-504.2
Pretrial conference requirements. Parties must identify exhibits and stipulate to authenticity where possible.
E-Filing System
Maryland Electronic Courts system. Mandatory statewide. PDF format, 50 MB limit (larger than most).
Key Deadlines
Md. Rule 2-504.2
Pretrial submissions due per scheduling order, typically 30 days before trial.
Overview
Maryland courts operate under Md. Rule 2-401 for exhibit requirements. Electronic filing is handled through MDEC with a maximum file size of 50 MB. Exhibits must be exchanged 30 days before trial.
Key principle: Always verify your specific court's local rules, as individual counties may have additional requirements beyond the statewide rules.
Maryland Exhibit Conventions
- MDEC statewide e-filing completed
- 50 MB file size limit (generous)
- 30-day initial disclosure requirement
- Business and Technology Case Management Program
Maryland Exhibit Marking
Standard Marking Conventions
Plaintiff Exhibits
P-1, P-2, P-3...
Defendant Exhibits
D-1, D-2, D-3...
Check Local Court Rules
Individual courts within Maryland may have specific local rules regarding exhibit marking, numbering sequences, and formatting. Always verify with your specific court before filing.
Court-Specific Requirements
Montgomery County Circuit Court
Large suburban county. Business and Technology Case Management Program available.
Montgomery County Local RulesBaltimore City Circuit Court
Largest court by case volume. Standard pretrial procedures.
Baltimore City Local RulesMaryland County Guides
MDEC E-Filing Requirements
File Format & Size
Document Specifications
- PDF format required for all filings
- 50 MB maximum per file
- Text-searchable PDFs recommended
Best Practices
- Include bookmarks for multi-exhibit PDFs
- No password protection
- Clear, legible exhibit stamps
Common Rejection Reasons
File Size Exceeds 50 MB Limit
Solution: Split large exhibits into parts. Label clearly (e.g., "Exhibit 5, Part 1 of 3"). ExhibitPrep exports individual files to manage size limits.
Missing or Illegible Exhibit Stamps
Solution: Use consistent, clearly visible exhibit stamps on every page. ExhibitPrep places stamps in the same position on every page automatically.
Incorrect Exhibit Numbering
Solution: Verify plaintiff exhibits use P-1, P-2, P-3... and defendant exhibits use D-1, D-2, D-3.... ExhibitPrep auto-numbers exhibits sequentially.
Late Exhibit Exchange
Solution: Maryland requires exchange 30 days before trial. Plan ahead and prepare exhibits early to avoid last-minute issues.
The first three rejections are formatting problems ExhibitPrep prevents automatically. Stamp MDEC-ready exhibits now →
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Maryland Requirements
Time Savings
Stamp 50 exhibits in 5 minutes vs. 2+ hours applying stickers manually.
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time. Stamp unlimited exhibits for one low price.
Court Compliant
Maryland court-ready formatting. Export with bookmarks for organized filings.
Opens the tool set up for Maryland — plaintiff: Prefix: "P-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "D-", Numbers starting at 1.
Take the Maryland Requirements With You
Get the complete Maryland exhibit guide as a PDF — Md. Rule 2-401 marking conventions, MDEC file limits, and exchange deadlines, ready to share with your paralegal.
Free Maryland Exhibit Guide
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Every year, Maryland courts reject exhibits for:
- Wrong marking convention
- Missing electronic bookmarks
- Non-compliant file formats
This guide prevents those mistakes.
ExhibitPrep Configuration for Maryland Courts
Recommended Settings
Stamp Format
Use "Exhibit [number]" for plaintiffs or "Exhibit [letter]" for defendants. Include party designation if required by local rules.
Position
Bottom-right corner is standard. Ensure stamps don't obscure document content. Use drag-and-drop positioning to adjust if needed.
Export Format
Combined PDF with bookmarks for court filings. Keep files under 50 MB. Individual files for discovery productions or large exhibit sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exhibit requirements for Maryland courts?
Maryland courts require exhibits to follow Md. Rule 2-401. Discovery scope. Initial disclosure required within 30 days of answer. Must disclose supporting documents.
What does Md. Rule 2-401 say?
Md. Rule 2-401: Discovery scope. Initial disclosure required within 30 days of answer. Must disclose supporting documents. The full text is available on the court's official rules page.
What e-filing system does Maryland use?
Maryland uses MDEC for electronic filings. Maryland Electronic Courts system. Mandatory statewide. PDF format, 50 MB limit (larger than most).
How should plaintiff and defendant exhibits be marked in Maryland?
In Maryland, plaintiffs typically use P-1, P-2, P-3... while defendants use D-1, D-2, D-3.... Check local court rules for specific requirements.
What are the exhibit exchange deadlines in Maryland?
Maryland requires exhibit exchange 30 days before trial. Pretrial submissions due per scheduling order, typically 30 days before trial.
Are electronically stamped exhibits accepted in Maryland?
Yes, Maryland courts accept electronic exhibit stamps that are clearly legible and consistently formatted. ExhibitPrep creates court-ready stamps accepted throughout Maryland.
What is the maximum file size for Maryland e-filing?
Maryland's e-filing system (MDEC) accepts files up to 50 MB. For larger exhibits, split into multiple parts with clear labeling.
Prepare Maryland Court Exhibits in Minutes
ExhibitPrep makes it easy to create professional, court-compliant exhibits for Maryland filings. Preview your stamped exhibits before paying.
Opens the tool set up for Maryland — plaintiff: Prefix: "P-", Numbers starting at 1; defendant: Prefix: "D-", Numbers starting at 1.
No credit card required to preview | $14.99 Day Pass for unlimited stamping
Related Court Guides
Exhibit Conventions Explained
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