(a) Trial Date. The trial shall commence on the date established in the scheduling order, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Rule 137.Trial
Last verified July 8, 2026
In one sentenceRule 137 sets the trial to begin on the scheduling order's date unless the court orders otherwise, holds it in the originating court's geographic area absent party agreement or unusual circumstances, and disfavors continuances, requiring strict compliance with Rule 40 and barring any pending motion from delaying the trial's start.
Full Text of Rule 137
(b) Trial Location. The trial will be held in the geographic area of the originating court unless (1) the court approves another location upon the agreement of the parties, or (2) the court determines that unusual circumstances, including scheduling requirements, warrant conducting the trial at another location.
(c) Continuances. Any request to continue a trial date must strictly comply with Rule 40. The court will not grant continuances based upon the unavailability of a witness in circumstances where the matter may be resolved by securing the agreement of the other parties or an order of the court concerning alternative methods for the presentation or admission of evidence. Because the purpose and goals of the BCD include providing predictable judicial action and promoting an effective and efficient process for resolving such disputes, continuances are disfavored and the granting of continuances shall be considered the exception and not the rule. The pendency of any motion shall not delay the start of trial. Last reviewed and edited November 3, 2020
Plain-English Summary
Trial begins on the date the scheduling order sets, unless the court orders otherwise. It's held in the originating court's geographic area unless the court approves another location by the parties' agreement, or finds unusual circumstances, including scheduling needs, that warrant moving it elsewhere.
A request to continue the trial date must strictly follow Rule 40, and the court won't grant a continuance for a witness's unavailability if the parties could instead agree, or the court could order, an alternative way to present or admit that evidence. Because the BCD's goals include predictable judicial action and efficient dispute resolution, continuances are disfavored, treated as the exception rather than the rule, and no pending motion delays the trial's start.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a Maine BCD trial start?
On the date set in the scheduling order, unless the court orders otherwise.
Where is a BCD trial held?
In the originating court's geographic area, unless the court approves another location by agreement or finds unusual circumstances warranting it.
Are trial continuances easy to get on the BCD?
No. Continuances are disfavored and treated as the exception, and a continuance won't be granted for a witness's unavailability if an agreement or court order on alternative evidence presentation could resolve it.
Source & verification. The rule text and Advisory Committee’s Notes / Reporter’s
Notes are reproduced verbatim from the official Maine Rules of Civil Procedure (Me. R. Civ. P. 137), prescribed by the
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine (4 M.R.S. § 8, the Rules Enabling Act). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 8, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: BCD trial date Mainebusiness docket continuance standardtrial location business consumer docket