(a) Generally. — Subject to section (b) of this Rule, on motion of any party filed within ten days after entry of judgment, the court may open the judgment to receive additional evidence, may amend its findings or its statement of reasons for the decision, may set forth additional findings or reasons, may enter new findings or new reasons, may amend the judgment, or may enter a new judgment. A motion to alter or amend a judgment may be joined with a motion for new trial.
Rule 3-534.Motion to alter or amend a judgment
District Court · Last amended July 1, 2023 · Last verified July 13, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3-534 lets a party ask the District Court, within ten days of judgment, to reopen the evidence, revise its findings, or amend the judgment itself.
Full Text of Rule 3-534
(b) Appeal time of less than ten days provided by statute. — If a statute provides for an appeal time of less than ten days after entry of judgment, a motion under this Rule, even if timely filed, does not toll the time to appeal unless the motion is filed within the statutory time period allowed for an appeal.
Amendment History
Amended Nov. 12, 2003, effective Jan. 1, 2004; April 21, 2023, effective July 1, 2023.
Committee Note & Source
Cross references. For shorter appeal times provided by statute, see Code, Real Property Article, §§ 8-401 and 8A-1701. See Rule 7-104 (c) concerning the time for filing a notice of appeal when a motion has been filed under this Rule.
Source. This Rule is derived from the 1983 version of Fed. R. Civ. P. 52 (b) and the 1966 version of Fed. R. Civ. P. 59 (a).
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3-534 gives a party a second look at a judgment without the expense of a full new trial. Within ten days after judgment, any party may ask the court to open the judgment to receive additional evidence, revise its findings or stated reasons, add findings it left out, substitute new findings or reasons, amend the judgment, or enter an entirely new judgment. A party can combine this motion with a motion for new trial under Rule 3-533 instead of filing two separate motions.
As with the new-trial motion, the ten-day deadline gives way to a shorter statutory appeal period. If a statute allows less than ten days to appeal, this motion pauses the appeal clock only when it's filed within that shorter statutory window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between this motion and a motion for new trial?
A motion for new trial under Rule 3-533 asks the court to redo the trial, in whole or part. A motion to alter or amend under Rule 3-534 asks the court to revisit its existing findings or judgment — by reopening the evidence, correcting its reasoning, or entering a corrected judgment — without necessarily holding a new trial. A party can file both motions together.
How long do I have to file a motion to alter or amend a judgment?
Ten days after entry of judgment.
What relief can the court grant on this motion?
The court can open the judgment to take more evidence, revise or add to its findings or reasons, enter new findings or reasons, amend the judgment, or replace it with a new judgment.
Does this motion protect my right to appeal if the statutory appeal deadline is short?
Only if you file it within that statutory window. When a statute sets an appeal deadline of less than ten days, filing the motion within the general ten-day period this rule allows still won't toll the appeal clock unless it also falls inside the shorter statutory period.
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: motion to alter or amend judgment maryland district courtreconsideration motion district court marylandchange a judgment within ten days marylandreopen evidence after judgment maryland district court