MDEC Exhibit Filing Guide
MDEC (Maryland Electronic Courts) is the mandatory statewide e-filing system, with a per-document upload limit of 25 MB per the Maryland Judiciary's attorney e-filing FAQ. Maryland requires 30-day initial disclosures and has Business and Technology Case Management Program for complex commercial disputes.
- MDEC is the electronic filing system for Maryland courts.
- The MDEC file size limit is 25 MB per document.
- The primary accepted file format on MDEC is PDF format required.
- The official MDEC portal is at https://mdcourts.gov/mdec.
- ExhibitPrep applies exhibit stamps entirely in the browser, so case files never leave the user’s computer.
- ExhibitPrep includes 26 court-ready stamp templates covering plaintiff, defendant, deposition, and joint exhibit designations.
- ExhibitPrep’s Trial Binder Mode builds exhibit books with alphabetic labels (A, B, C), per-exhibit page numbering (A1–A5), and an auto-generated table of contents.
MDEC Requirements
Md. Rule 2-401 Discovery
Discovery scope with initial disclosure required within 30 days of answer. Must disclose supporting documents early.
Md. Rule 2-504.2 Pretrial
Pretrial conference requirements. Parties must identify exhibits and stipulate to authenticity where possible.
25 MB File Limit
MDEC allows documents of 25 MB or smaller, per the Maryland Judiciary's attorney e-filing FAQ. Split larger exhibit compilations into parts.
Business and Technology Program
Montgomery County and other jurisdictions offer Business and Technology Case Management for complex commercial cases.
Accepted File Formats
- • PDF format required
- • 25 MB per document limit
- • Mandatory statewide
- • Text-searchable recommended
Common MDEC Filing Issues
25 MB Limit Exceeded
Maryland generous 50 MB limit accommodates most exhibits. For files exceeding 50 MB, split into multiple files or compress images.
30-Day Initial Disclosure Missed
Md. Rule 2-401 requires initial disclosure within 30 days of answer. This includes supporting documents. Calendar this deadline carefully.
Pretrial Submissions Late
Md. Rule 2-504.2 requires pretrial submissions per scheduling order, typically 30 days before trial. Check your case-specific order.
Authenticity Not Stipulated
Maryland encourages stipulations to authenticity. Confer with opposing counsel to stipulate authentic exhibits where possible per Md. Rule 2-504.2.
🆕 New: Trial Binder Mode for Multi-Exhibit Filings
Filing multiple exhibits with MDEC? Use Trial Binder Mode to create court-ready exhibit books with alphabetic labels (A, B, C), per-exhibit page numbering (A1-A5), and auto-generated table of contents. Great for complex filings with numerous exhibits.
Learn about Trial Binder ModeWhy Use ExhibitPrep for MDEC?
ExhibitPrep ensures your exhibits meet all MDEC requirements before you upload.
Md. Rule Compliant
ExhibitPrep stamps meet Maryland Rules exhibit marking requirements.
Large File Support
50 MB limit allows larger exhibit compilations without splitting files.
Business Court Ready
Works with Business and Technology Case Management Program procedures.
Early Disclosure Support
Prepare exhibits quickly to meet Maryland 30-day initial disclosure requirement.
How to Prepare Exhibits for MDEC
Upload exhibits to ExhibitPrep
Maryland generous 50 MB limit accommodates large files.
Select Maryland template
Choose P-# for plaintiffs or D-# for defendants per Maryland convention.
Position and preview stamps
Add exhibit stamps and preview. 50 MB limit allows comprehensive exhibits.
Download stamped exhibits
Export PDFs ready for MDEC submission.
Upload to MDEC portal
Log in to mdcourts.gov/mdec and upload exhibits.
Ready to File with MDEC?
Stamp your exhibits now and upload to MDEC in minutes.
MDEC Guides by Practice Area
Practice-specific filing requirements and exhibit tips for MDEC.
Frequently Asked Questions about MDEC
What is the MDEC file size limit?
MDEC allows documents of 25 MB or smaller to be uploaded, per the Maryland Judiciary's attorney e-filing FAQ. A previously circulated 50 MB figure is incorrect. Split larger exhibit compilations into multiple parts before filing.
What are Maryland initial disclosure requirements?
Md. Rule 2-401 requires initial disclosure within 30 days of the answer. You must disclose supporting documents, including potential exhibits, early in the case. This is similar to federal FRCP 26(a) initial disclosures but with shorter 30-day deadline.
What is Maryland Business and Technology Case Management Program?
Montgomery County and other Maryland jurisdictions offer Business and Technology Case Management Program for complex commercial cases involving business disputes and technology. The program provides specialized judges, expedited scheduling, and streamlined procedures for qualifying cases.
When are exhibit lists due in Maryland?
Per Md. Rule 2-504.2, pretrial submissions are due per scheduling order, typically 30 days before trial. Parties must identify exhibits and attempt to stipulate to authenticity. Check your case-specific scheduling order for exact deadlines and requirements.
How do I mark exhibits in Maryland courts?
Maryland typically uses P-1, P-2, P-3 for plaintiffs and D-1, D-2, D-3 for defendants. Maryland encourages stipulations to authenticity, so mark exhibits clearly and confer with opposing counsel to identify which exhibits can be admitted by agreement per Md. Rule 2-504.2.
ExhibitPrep provides general information about court exhibit practices, not legal advice. Requirements change — verify current rules with your court or clerk before filing.