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What’s new…

New editions have arrived at the Anne Arundel County Public law Library!

The library has added new editions on the shelf from the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), LexisNexis, and Thomson Reuters.

Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Practice, 2025 ed.

The newly revised edition of Consumer Bankruptcy Law and Practice contains two volumes that offer everything one may need to pursue Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcies. This two volume set includes:

Call No.: SELF HELP NCLC KF1527 .C66 2025

  • Analysis of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on exception to discharge for debts based on fraud and on standard for discharge injunction violations
  • U.S. Supreme Court decision on business plan provisions that attempt to release claims of nondebtor consumers
  • The latest guidance and developments allowing for bankruptcy hardship discharge of student loans
  • The April 2025 increased dollar amounts updated throughout
  • The updated official forms for use in 2025 with sample completed forms and annotations explaining how to fill in the forms
  • Over 150 additional sample pleadings in Word format and reprints of director forms of importance to consumer practitioners
  • The December 2024 restyling and renumbering of the bankruptcy rules, updated throughout the text and including a side-by-side comparison of the old and new rules
  • Reprints of the Bankruptcy Code, additional bankruptcy statutes, the bankruptcy rules, fee schedules, bankruptcy regulations, and more
  • Analysis and pleadings concerning the requirements for mortgage servicers submitting claims, including payment change and final cure notices under Bankruptcy Rule 3002.

Mediation: Law, Policy, & Practice, 2025-2026 ed.

Mediation: Law, Policy & Practice provides analysis of mediation law developments, cases, statutes, and the mediation process itself, and:

Call No.: KF9084 .M44 2025-2026

  • Offers a solid foundation for understanding mediation law
  • Identifies relevant cases and statutes in each state
  • Provides the tools you need to utilize an effective approach
  • Discusses topics such as confidentiality, conflict of interest, and advertising
  • Examines the roles of the mediator, the advocate for those involved in mediation, and the adviser to courts and institutions dealing with planning and implementing mediation programs

To help practitioners develop their own evaluation and analysis, this resource identifies and analyzes the many areas where various relevant legal doctrines have not yet been applied to mediation.

Maryland law of confessions, 2025-2026 ed.

Maryland Law of Confessions addresses every aspect of confessions ever discussed by Maryland appellate courts. Written for prosecutors, defense counsel, and police detectives, this material also covers Maryland appellate courts’ unique standards regarding voluntariness, the right to silence, and the right to counsel.

Call No.: KFM1778.5 .J49 2025-2026

The Maryland Law of Confessions also:

  • Discusses custody, waiver, invocation, reinterrogation, and surreptitious questioning
  • Outlines underutilized rules pertaining to the Sixth Amendment
  • Reviews the right to silence not directly related to interrogations
  • Discusses ethical considerations for prosecutors
  • Contains practice tips and checklists
  • Provides a thorough discussion of the implications of the Williams opinion on prompt presentment

Maryland DUI law, 2025-2026 edition

Maryland DUI Law takes you through a DUI case in Maryland, from the initial traffic stop and first client contact through administrative hearings, the trial, and the appeals process. Experienced DUI and criminal defense attorney Leonard Stamm provides authoritative commentary that covers:

  • Valuable practice tips and insight into preparing a DUI case
  • Direct and cross-examination techniques for various witnesses, from the state’s experts to the arresting officer
  • Analysis of the breath- and blood-testing processes, explaining the strengths and weaknesses of key evidentiary issues

Call No.: KFM1497.8 .S73 2025-2026

In addition, this volume includes a chapter on the federal DUI, as well as appendixes containing relevant statutes, rules and regulations, and forms.

Maryland Real Property Law and Practice, 2025 edition

Maryland Real Property Law and Practice is a great tool for any legal professional who advises real estate clients in Maryland. Formerly known as Maryland Real Estate Forms, this enhanced edition contains a comprehensive analysis in addition to practical forms throughout.

Call No.: MD KFM1326.A65 B74 2025

This edition addresses a real estate transaction from start to finish—from foundational property concepts and agency relationships to purchase agreements, title issues, closings, and post-closing obligations. It also addresses transfers by operation of law and gift, residential and commercial leasing, and real estate finance.

This edition contains a collection of updated and newly developed forms. These include templates for property sales, financing arrangements, leasing transactions, and additional real estate matters—each designed to streamline workflow and reduce drafting time. The forms are accompanied by expert commentary to guide their effective use, making this publication a practical toolkit for legal professionals.

Maryland Contract Litigation, 2026 edition

Maryland Contract Litigation guides you through claims, defenses, and other issues that arise in an action involving contract claims. This guide is meant to break down the process that involves litigating a contract case by identifying essential elements and setting them out in an easy-to-understand way. Insights from Maryland experts are reflected throughout, with practice tips targeting issues of particular interest.

Call No.: KFM1351 .L5 2026

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Filing Civil & Bankruptcy Actions in the United States District & Bankruptcy Courts

Filing an action in Federal Court can be an intimidating process. Thankfully, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland provides resources that can help.

The Court has posted a page “How to File a Civil Action.” This page offers links to information and videos about “The Complaint,” “The Summons,” “The Civil Cover Sheet,” and information about the “Filing Fee” and a list of “Self-Represented Forms.”

The Office of the Clerk has prepared a comprehensive and detailed publication “Instructions for Filing a Civil Case on Your Own Behalf.

The Court also provides a page on “Finding Legal Assistance.” This page includes two helpful links that will take you to the Peoples Law LibrarySelf Help Services” portal.

The Federal Bar Association has published a handbook: “Representing Yourself in Federal District Court; A Handbook for Pro-Se Litigants.”        The Court also presents a portal with “Self-Represented Forms.”

There are three locations for the United States District Court: Baltimore, Greenbelt and Salisbury. Note that the Salisbury location is not staffed except on days when court is in session.

The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Law Library provides access to Westlaw and Lexis, which include federal procedure treatises and rules.

• • •

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland operates locations in Baltimore and Greenbelt. The Court provides information for pro-se bankruptcy litigants. There is a page with a comprehensive list of forms and schedules and a link to information about filing fees.

The Bankruptcy Court’s web portal includes information on the Electronic Self Representation (eSR) Module, which is described as follows:

The online Electronic Self Representation (eSR) tool is now available to help self-represented individuals in the District of Maryland complete and file a bankruptcy petition electronically.  eSR is only available for non-emergency Chapter 7 individual filings.  eSR is not available to bankruptcy petition preparers.  Further information on eSR as well as a link to access the eSR tool can be found here.  

The Bankruptcy Court offers a web portal to assist debtors in finding an attorney for low cost or no cost and legal information, whether it is counsel for Chapter 7, or Chapter 13 assistance.

The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Law Library provides an information page on Bankruptcy.

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Bankruptcy: new topic added to the WIKI FAQs

bankruptcyThe topic of Bankruptcy now has a page in the AACPLL Self Help and Pro Bono WIKI. Bankruptcy can be found on the FAQ page where numerous topics are listed.  Each FAQ provide links to appropriate code sections, online resources including forms, and a list of materials held in the a law library.  You will also find links to organizations or programs that offer legal assistance.

 

 

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Personal Bankruptcy Clinic Next Month

On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service will be holding a personal bankruptcy clinic at the Law Library. This clinic will provide participants with a chance to hear from experienced attorneys about how to file personal bankruptcy as well as receive one-on-one assistance.

Pre-registration is required! Call the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service at (410) 547-6537 or (800) 510-0050 to register. Please note that program attendees cannot be in a foreclosure proceeding, and all program participants must be low-to-moderate income.