(a) By an attorney or in proper person. — Except as otherwise provided by rule or statute: (1) an individual may enter an appearance by an attorney or in proper person and (2) a person other than an individual may enter an appearance only by an attorney.
Rule 3-131.Appearance
District Court · Last amended January 1, 2025 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3-131 explains how a party enters an appearance in District Court — through an attorney or, for individuals, in proper person — and how an attorney can limit that appearance to a discrete matter.
Full Text of Rule 3-131
(b) Limited appearance. —
(1) Notice of Appearance. — An attorney, acting pursuant to an agreement with a client for limited representation that complies with Rule 19-301.2 (c) of the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct, may enter an appearance limited to participation in a discrete matter or judicial proceeding. The notice of appearance (A) shall be accompanied by an Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation substantially in the form specified in subsection (b)(2) of this Rule and signed by the client, and (B) shall specify the scope of the limited appearance, which (i) shall not exceed the scope set forth in the Acknowledgment but (ii) unless otherwise ordered by the court, shall include the performance of any procedural task required by law to achieve the objective of the appearance.
(2) Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation. — The Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation shall be substantially in the following form:
(Caption) ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SCOPE OF LIMITED REPRESENTATION Client: ______________________ Attorney: ______________________ I have entered into a written agreement with the above-named attorney. I understand that the attorney will represent me for the following limited purposes (check all that apply): □ Arguing the following motion or motions: ______________________ □ Attending a pretrial conference. □ Attending a settlement conference. □ Attending the following court-ordered mediation for purposes of advising the client during the proceeding: ______________________ ______________________ □ Acting as my attorney for the following hearing or trial: ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ □ With leave of court, acting as my attorney with regard to the following specific issue or a specific portion of a trial or hearing: ______________________ .
______________________
I understand that except for the legal services specified above, I am fully responsible for handling my case, including complying with court Rules and deadlines. I understand further that during the course of the limited representation, the court may discontinue sending court notices to me and may send all court notices only to my limited representation attorney. If the court discontinues sending notices to me, I understand that although my limited representation attorney is responsible for forwarding to me court notices pertaining to matters outside the scope of the limited representation, I remain responsible for keeping informed about my case.
______________________ Client
______________________ Signature
______________________ Date
(c) How entered. — Except as otherwise provided in section (b) of this Rule, an appearance may be entered by filing a pleading, motion, or notice of intention to defend or, by filing a written notice of appearance.
(d) Effect. — The entry of an appearance is not a waiver of the right to assert any defense in accordance with these rules. Special appearances are abolished.
Amendment History
Amended Nov. 9, 1994, effective Jan. 1, 1995; Jan. 20, 1999, effective July 1, 1999; Feb. 10, 2009, effective May 1, 2009; June 7, 2011, effective July 1, 2011; March 3, 2015, effective July 1, 2015; December 7, 2015, effective January 1, 2016; June 6, 2016, effective July 1, 2016; December 13, 2016, effective April 1, 2017; effective March 16, 2020; amended October 15, 2024, effective January 1, 2025.
Committee Note & Source
Cross references. See Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 19-301.2, Comment 8. For striking of an attorney’s limited appearance, see Rule 3-132 (a).
Cross references. See Rules 1-311, 1-312, and 1-313; Rules 19-214 and 19-215 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar. See also Rule 1-202 (v) for the definition of “person,” and Code, Business Occupations and Professions Article, § 10-206(b)(1), (2), and (4) for certain exceptions applicable in the District Court.
Source. This Rule is in part derived from former Rule 124 and in part new.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3-131 governs the formal act of showing up in a case. Section (a) draws a basic line: an individual can appear through an attorney or represent themselves, but any other kind of party — a corporation, an LLC, an association — can appear only through an attorney. Section (c) covers the ordinary mechanics: outside the limited-appearance process, a party enters an appearance by filing a pleading, a motion, a notice of intention to defend, or a written notice of appearance. Section (d) protects parties who show up: entering an appearance doesn't waive any defense available under the rules, and the old practice of a "special appearance" made only to contest jurisdiction no longer exists in Maryland District Court.
Section (b) sets out a more structured option: limited-scope representation. An attorney who has a written agreement with a client for limited representation, consistent with the professional-conduct rule governing that arrangement, can enter an appearance restricted to a discrete matter or proceeding — arguing a particular motion, attending a settlement conference, handling a single hearing, and so on. That notice of appearance must be paired with a signed Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation, using the form the rule sets out, checking off exactly which services the attorney will provide. The client's acknowledgment also explains what stays the client's responsibility: complying with deadlines and rules outside the limited scope, and staying informed about the case even if the court starts sending notices only to the limited-appearance attorney. The scope stated in the notice of appearance can't exceed what the Acknowledgment describes, but unless the court says otherwise, it automatically includes whatever procedural steps the law requires to carry out that limited purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a corporation represent itself in Maryland District Court without a lawyer?
No. Under Rule 3-131(a), a party that isn't an individual — a corporation, LLC, or association, for example — may enter an appearance only through an attorney. An individual party may appear through an attorney or in proper person.
What is a limited appearance?
It's an appearance an attorney enters for only a discrete matter or proceeding, under a written limited-representation agreement with the client that complies with the professional-conduct rule on limited representation. Examples in the rule's form include arguing a specific motion, attending a settlement conference or court-ordered mediation, or handling a single hearing or trial.
What does the Acknowledgment of Scope of Limited Representation do?
It's a signed form the client completes identifying exactly which services the limited-appearance attorney will provide. It must accompany the notice of limited appearance, and the scope stated in the notice of appearance can't exceed what the Acknowledgment describes.
Does staying informed about the case remain the client's job during limited representation?
Yes. The Acknowledgment form states that the client remains responsible for handling the case outside the limited scope, including deadlines and rules, and for staying informed about the case even if the court sends notices only to the limited-appearance attorney.
Does entering an appearance give up any defenses?
No. Section (d) states that entering an appearance is not a waiver of the right to assert any defense available under the rules. It also abolishes special appearances, so a party no longer needs to appear specially just to contest jurisdiction.
How does a party normally enter an appearance?
Outside the limited-appearance process, filing a pleading, a motion, a notice of intention to defend, or a written notice of appearance is enough to enter an appearance under section (c).
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
Also known as: entering an appearance District Courtlimited scope representation Marylandpro se appearanceacknowledgment of scope of limited representation formspecial appearance abolished