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 Library “Self 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.
AACPLL Blog: Law Library News 