(a) Generally. — An application to the court for an order shall be by motion which, unless made during a hearing or trial, shall be made in writing, and shall set forth the relief or order sought.
Rule 2-311.Motions
Circuit Court · Last amended July 1, 2011 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2-311 sets the ground rules for filing a motion in circuit court — how it must be written, how fast the other side must respond, and when a hearing is required.
Full Text of Rule 2-311
(b) Response. — Except as otherwise provided in this section, a party against whom a motion is directed shall file any response within 15 days after being served with the motion, or within the time allowed for a party’s original pleading pursuant to Rule 2-321(a), whichever is later. Unless the court orders otherwise, no response need be filed to a motion filed pursuant to Rule 1-204, 2-532, 2-533, or 2-534. If a party fails to file a response required by this section, the court may proceed to rule on the motion.
(c) Statement of grounds and authorities; exhibits. — A written motion and a response to a motion shall state with particularity the grounds and the authorities in support of each ground. A party shall attach as an exhibit to a written motion or response any document that the party wishes the court to consider in ruling on the motion or response unless the document is adopted by reference as permitted by Rule 2-303 (d) or set forth as permitted by Rule 2-432 (b).
(d) Affidavit. — A motion or a response to a motion that is based on facts not contained in the record shall be supported by affidavit and accompanied by any papers on which it is based.
(e) Hearing — Motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, for new trial, or to amend the judgment. — When a motion is filed pursuant to Rule 2-532, 2-533, or 2-534, the court shall determine in each case whether a hearing will be held, but it may not grant the motion without a hearing.
(f) Hearing — Other motions. — A party desiring a hearing on a motion, other than a motion filed pursuant to Rule 2-532, 2-533, or 2-534, shall request the hearing in the motion or response under the heading “Request for Hearing.” The title of the motion or response shall state that a hearing is requested. Except when a rule expressly provides for a hearing, the court shall determine in each case whether a hearing will be held, but the court may not render a decision that is dispositive of a claim or defense without a hearing if one was requested as provided in this section.
Amendment History
Amended Mar. 22, 1991, effective July 1, 1991; Oct. 31, 2002, effective Jan. 1, 2003; Nov. 12, 2003, effective Jan. 1, 2004; June 7, 2011, effective July 1, 2011.
Committee Note & Source
Cross references. See Rule 1-203 concerning the computation of time.
Plain-English Summary
A party who wants the court to enter an order has to ask for it by motion. Outside of a hearing or trial, that motion must be in writing and must say plainly what relief or order the party wants. A written motion also has to explain itself: it must state, with particularity, the grounds for the request and the legal authority behind each ground. If the party is relying on a document — a contract, a letter, an exhibit — that document generally has to be attached, unless it's already part of the record by reference or set out under Rule 2-432(b). When a motion or response depends on facts that aren't already in the court file, it needs an affidavit and any supporting papers.
The opposing party normally has 15 days after being served with the motion to respond, or the time allowed to answer the original pleading under Rule 2-321(a), whichever runs longer. Motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, a new trial, or to amend the judgment (Rules 2-532, 2-533, and 2-534) don't require a response unless the court orders one. If no response is filed when one is required, the court can go ahead and rule on the motion without waiting further.
Hearings work differently depending on the motion. For the three post-trial motions above, the court decides case by case whether to hold a hearing, but it can't grant the motion without one. For every other motion, a party who wants a hearing has to ask for it in the motion or response, under a heading reading “Request for Hearing,” and the title of the paper has to flag that a hearing is requested. The court still decides whether to hold the hearing, but if a hearing was requested, the court can't issue a decision that disposes of a claim or defense without holding one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to respond to a motion in Maryland circuit court?
Generally 15 days after being served with the motion, or the time allowed for your original pleading under Rule 2-321(a), whichever is later.
Does every motion require a response?
No. Unless the court orders otherwise, no response is required for motions filed under Rule 1-204, or motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, a new trial, or to amend the judgment under Rules 2-532, 2-533, or 2-534.
How do I get a hearing on my motion?
Request it in the motion or response under a heading titled “Request for Hearing,” and note in the title of the paper that a hearing is requested. The court decides whether to hold one, but it cannot decide a motion that disposes of a claim or defense without a hearing if one was properly requested.
What happens if the other side doesn't respond to my motion?
The court may proceed to rule on the motion without a response.
Source & verification. Rule text, Committee Note, Source note, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Maryland Rules, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Maryland. Last verified July 13, 2026. ·
Official source
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