Unless the court otherwise directs and subject to the provisions of Rule 54(b), judgment upon the verdict of a jury shall be entered forthwith by the clerk; but the court shall direct the appropriate judgment to be entered upon a special verdict or upon a general verdict accompanied by answers to interrogatories returned by a jury pursuant to Rule 49. When the court directs that a party recover only money or costs or that all relief be denied, the clerk shall enter judgment forthwith upon receipt by the clerk of the direction; but when the court directs entry of judgment for other relief, the court shall promptly settle or approve the form of the judgment and direct that it be entered by the clerk. The notation of a judgment in the civil docket in accordance with Rule 79(a) constitutes the entry of the judgment. Any judgment or other order of the court is effective and enforceable upon signature by the court, or if not signed by the court, then upon entry of the judgment in the civil docket. The date of entry of the judgment or order shall govern time calculations pursuant to these rules or applicable statutes. The entry of the judgment shall not be delayed for the taxing of costs.
Rule 58.Entry of Judgment
Last amended April 15, 1975 · Last verified July 8, 2026
In one sentenceRule 58 sets the mechanics of entering a judgment — the clerk enters most judgments on a jury verdict automatically, the court settles the form of judgment for anything more complicated, and the judgment becomes effective either when the court signs it or when the clerk notes it in the civil docket, whichever governs the deadline calculations that follow.
Full Text of Rule 58
Advisory Committee’s Notes & Reporter’s Notes
Advisory Committee’s Notes
Rule 58 is amended to change the time when a judgment is effective and enforceable from entry on the docket to the time when a judgment or order is signed by a judge. This change is necessary because, in current practice, due to court staffing shortages, there is sometimes a considerable delay between the time when a judgment or order is signed and the time when that judgment or order is entered into the docket. This difference has created some problems, particularly in domestic relations cases where changes to parental rights orders, meant to be promptly effective, were delayed in effect because of delays in entry into the docket. Confusion also existed because, while Rule 58 addresses judgments, and particularly final judgments, some clerks and attorneys were construing it as applicable to prejudgment or post-judgment orders. Under Rule 58, as amended, any judgment or other order of the court becomes effective and enforceable upon signature by a judge. Where a court judgment or order is not signed by a judge, but is entered into the docket by the clerk upon direction by a judge, such an order or judgment continues to be effective and enforceable only when it is entered into the docket. While a judgment or order that is signed by a judge becomes effective and enforceable when signed, the date of entry of the judgment or order in the docket will continue to govern time calculations under the rules or applicable statues. Thus, when the date of the judge’s signature differs from the date of entry of a judgment or order into the docket, the date of entry of the judgment or order into the docket will continue to control the time for filing a notice of appeal or a motion for new trial under M.R. Civ. P. 59 or a motion for reconsideration or amendment of judgment under M.R. Civ. P. 60. For money judgments, calculation of interest at prejudgment or post-judgment rates would change based on the date of entry of the judgment in the docket. The rule amendment does not change requirements relating to notice of judgments or orders to make them effective and enforceable.
Advisory Committee's Note — April 15, 1975
This amendment adds the phrase "in accordance with Rule 79(a)" in the next to the last sentence. It is made for purposes of clarity, at the same time that Rule 79(a) is amended to permit, in appropriate exceptional cases, the notation of judgment to consist of incorporation by reference of documents filed with the clerk by the court.
Reporter's Notes — December 1, 1959
This rule is the same as Federal Rule 58. Time for appeal starts running from the date of judgment, which in a jury case is entered forthwith upon the verdict. This is unlike the existing Maine practice at law. See the discussion in the Note to Rule 54. Last reviewed and edited October 10, 2014
Plain-English Summary
Once a jury returns its verdict, the clerk enters judgment on it right away unless the court directs otherwise or Rule 54(b)'s finality requirements apply; on a special verdict, or a general verdict paired with interrogatory answers under Rule 49, the court directs the appropriate judgment to be entered. If the judgment is for money, costs, or the denial of all relief, the clerk enters it the moment it receives the court's direction; anything more complex requires the court to settle or approve the form of judgment before directing its entry.
The judgment's entry happens when it is noted in the civil docket under Rule 79(a), and the judgment or order becomes effective and enforceable when the court signs it, or, if unsigned, when it is docketed. That entry date controls the deadline calculations under the rules and applicable statutes, and entering judgment is never delayed just to tax costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the clerk enter judgment on a jury verdict?
Immediately, unless the court directs otherwise or Rule 54(b)'s finality requirements for multiple claims or parties apply.
When does a judgment become effective and enforceable?
Upon the court's signature, or, if the court does not sign it, upon its entry in the civil docket.
Does entry of judgment wait for costs to be calculated?
No, the entry of judgment is not delayed for the taxing of costs.
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. 58), 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: entry of judgment Mainewhen is a judgment effectivedocketing a judgment