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Civil courts hear civil matters—which are generally lawsuits regarding disputes between persons or entities in which money, property, or personal rights under the law are at issue. Civil matters are distinguishable from criminal matters, which generally involve a city, state, or federal government prosecuting a person or entity for the commission of a crime.

In Maryland, civil courts are responsible for adjudicating non-criminal disputes between parties, which may include individuals, businesses, or other entities. These disputes often involve issues such as contracts, torts (civil wrongs like negligence), property, family law (such as divorce and custody), and other matters where the parties seek monetary damages, equitable relief, or the enforcement of legal rights. The Maryland court system is structured with the District Courts handling most general civil cases involving claims up to $30,000, and the Circuit Courts handling larger and more complex cases, including family law matters, with no upper limit on the claim amount. Appeals from these courts can be taken to the Court of Special Appeals and, in some cases, to the Court of Appeals, which is the highest court in Maryland. It is important to note that civil litigation is governed by the Maryland Rules of Procedure, and parties often engage attorneys to navigate the legal process and advocate on their behalf.

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Courts

civil courts

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Maryland State Code

Maryland State Code

Courts

civil courts

Articles