Maine Civil Information Sheet

MAINE CIVIL INFORMATION SHEET

Superior Court / District Court -- Required with All Civil Complaints and Petitions

FILING INFORMATION

This Civil Information Sheet must be filed with every complaint or petition that commences a civil action in Maine Superior Court or District Court. It provides the Clerk of Court with essential information about the parties, legal causes of action, and case characteristics for docketing and scheduling purposes. This form is NOT used for Family Matter filings, Probate matters, or Small Claims.

Form Type: Maine Civil Information Sheet
Governing Authority: Maine Rules of Civil Procedure
Filing Method: ☐ Maine eCourts (Tyler Odyssey) ☐ Paper Filing
Court Level: ☐ Superior Court ☐ District Court

PART 1: COURT DESIGNATION

Court Selection

STATE OF MAINE
[________________________________] COURT
(Select: Superior Court or District Court)

COUNTY OF [________________________________]
DOCKET NO.: ________________ (Assigned by Clerk)

Maine Counties (16 Counties)

• ☐ Androscoggin (Auburn)
• ☐ Aroostook (Caribou / Houlton)
• ☐ Cumberland (Portland)
• ☐ Franklin (Farmington)
• ☐ Hancock (Ellsworth)
• ☐ Kennebec (Augusta)
• ☐ Knox (Rockland)
• ☐ Lincoln (Wiscasset)
• ☐ Oxford (South Paris)
• ☐ Penobscot (Bangor)
• ☐ Piscataquis (Dover-Foxcroft)
• ☐ Sagadahoc (Bath)
• ☐ Somerset (Skowhegan)
• ☐ Waldo (Belfast)
• ☐ Washington (Machias)
• ☐ York (Alfred / Biddeford / Springvale)

Superior Court vs. District Court Selection Guide

Note: The Superior Court is the court of general jurisdiction in Maine for civil matters. The District Court has concurrent jurisdiction for civil actions seeking money damages up to $50,000. Cases exceeding $50,000 must be filed in Superior Court.

PART 2: CASE CAPTION

STATE OF MAINE
[SUPERIOR / DISTRICT] COURT
COUNTY OF [________________________________]

                                                    DOCKET NO.: ________________
                                                    (Assigned by Clerk)

[________________________________],
                    Plaintiff(s),

        v.

[________________________________],
                    Defendant(s).

PART 3: PARTY INFORMATION

Plaintiff(s)

Plaintiff 1:

• Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]
• ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government Entity ☐ Other: [________________]

Plaintiff 2 (if applicable):

• Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]

☐ Additional plaintiffs listed on attached sheet

Defendant(s)

Defendant 1:

• Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone (if known): [________________________________]
• Email (if known): [________________________________]
• ☐ Individual ☐ Corporation ☐ LLC ☐ Partnership ☐ Government Entity ☐ Other: [________________]

Defendant 2 (if applicable):

• Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone (if known): [________________________________]
• Email (if known): [________________________________]

☐ Additional defendants listed on attached sheet

PART 4: ATTORNEY INFORMATION

Filing Attorney

• Attorney Name: [________________________________]
• Maine Bar Number: [________________________________]
• Firm Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Fax: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]
• Attorney for: ☐ Plaintiff(s) ☐ Defendant(s)

Self-Represented Party (if applicable)

• ☐ Filing party is self-represented (pro se)
• Name: [________________________________]
• Address: [________________________________]
• City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]
• Telephone: [________________________________]
• Email: [________________________________]

PART 5: CASE TYPE CLASSIFICATION

Select ONE primary case type:

Tort Cases

Motor Vehicle:

• ☐ Motor vehicle -- Personal injury
• ☐ Motor vehicle -- Personal injury and property damage
• ☐ Motor vehicle -- Property damage only
• ☐ Motor vehicle -- Wrongful death

Other Personal Injury / Property Damage:

• ☐ Premises liability (slip and fall)
• ☐ Products liability
• ☐ Assault / Battery
• ☐ Environmental / Toxic tort
• ☐ Other personal injury
• ☐ Other property damage
• ☐ Wrongful death (non-motor vehicle)

Professional Malpractice:

• ☐ Medical malpractice (24 M.R.S.A. Section 2851 et seq.)
• ☐ Legal malpractice
• ☐ Other professional negligence

Contract / Commercial

• ☐ Contract -- General
• ☐ Debt / Collection
• ☐ Insurance contract
• ☐ Employment contract
• ☐ Construction dispute
• ☐ Consumer credit
• ☐ Commercial / Business dispute
• ☐ Other contract: [________________________________]

Real Estate / Property

• ☐ Quiet title
• ☐ Easement / Boundary dispute
• ☐ Mortgage foreclosure (Rule 80C)
• ☐ Landlord / Tenant (Forcible Entry and Detainer)
• ☐ Eminent domain / Condemnation
• ☐ Partition
• ☐ Mechanic's lien
• ☐ Other real property: [________________________________]

Administrative / Government

• ☐ Rule 80B -- Review of governmental action (non-zoning)
• ☐ Rule 80B -- Zoning board appeal
• ☐ Rule 80C -- Post-conviction review
• ☐ Other administrative appeal
• ☐ Tax appeal

Equity / Declaratory / Injunctive

• ☐ Declaratory judgment
• ☐ Injunctive relief
• ☐ Specific performance
• ☐ Mandamus
• ☐ Other equitable relief: [________________________________]

Employment

• ☐ Employment discrimination (Maine Human Rights Act, 5 M.R.S.A. Section 4551 et seq.)
• ☐ Wrongful termination / Whistleblower (26 M.R.S.A. Section 831 et seq.)
• ☐ Wage / Hour dispute
• ☐ Workers' compensation appeal
• ☐ Other employment: [________________________________]

Miscellaneous Civil

• ☐ Defamation / Libel / Slander
• ☐ Fraud
• ☐ Interpleader
• ☐ Replevin
• ☐ Receivership
• ☐ Foreign judgment domestication
• ☐ Other civil: [________________________________]

PART 6: CAUSE OF ACTION / STATUTORY BASIS

Primary Cause(s) of Action: [________________________________]

Statutory or Common Law Basis: [________________________________]

Brief Factual Description: [________________________________]

PART 7: AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY / RELIEF SOUGHT

Monetary Relief

• ☐ $0 -- $6,000 (Small Claims jurisdiction, 14 M.R.S.A. Section 7482)
• ☐ $6,001 -- $10,000
• ☐ $10,001 -- $25,000
• ☐ $25,001 -- $50,000 (District Court concurrent jurisdiction limit)
• ☐ $50,001 -- $75,000
• ☐ $75,001 -- $150,000
• ☐ Over $150,000
• ☐ Amount cannot be determined

Specific Amount Claimed (if known): $ [________________________________]

Non-Monetary / Equitable Relief

• ☐ Injunctive relief
• ☐ Declaratory relief
• ☐ Specific performance
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Punitive Damages

• ☐ Punitive damages claimed
• ☐ No punitive damages claimed

Note: Maine generally does not allow punitive damages except where authorized by specific statute (e.g., 14 M.R.S.A. Section 8104-B for wrongful death; 5 M.R.S.A. Section 4613 for human rights violations).

PART 8: JURY DEMAND

• ☐ Jury trial demanded
• ☐ Non-jury (bench trial)
• ☐ Jury demand to be filed later

Maine Jury Demand: Under M.R.Civ.P. 38(b), a party may demand a trial by jury by serving a written demand no later than 10 days after service of the last pleading directed to the issue. Jury trials in civil cases are available as of right in Superior Court. District Court jury trial availability is limited.

PART 9: RELATED CASES

Are there any related cases pending or previously filed in any Maine court?

• ☐ No related cases
• ☐ Yes -- provide the following:

PART 10: FILING FEES

Maine Court Filing Fees (Administrative Order JB-05-26, effective October 1, 2025)

Superior Court Fees:

District Court Fees:

Note: Verify current fees with the Clerk of Court before filing. Fees are subject to change by Administrative Order. Fee waivers are available for qualifying indigent parties pursuant to M.R.Civ.P. 91.

Filing Fee Paid: $ [________________________________]
Receipt Number: [________________________________]
Date Paid: [__/__/____]
Method: ☐ Cash ☐ Check ☐ Credit Card ☐ eCourts Payment ☐ Fee Waiver

Fee Waiver

• ☐ Application for waiver of fees and costs filed (M.R.Civ.P. 91)
• ☐ Fee waiver previously granted -- Order Date: [__/__/____]

PART 11: ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (Rule 16B)

ADR Requirement

Maine Rule of Civil Procedure 16B requires parties in most Superior Court civil cases to participate in ADR. The court will address ADR at the Rule 16(a) scheduling conference.

ADR Applicability

• ☐ This case is subject to mandatory ADR under Rule 16B
• ☐ This case is exempt from ADR (see exemptions below)
• ☐ Parties have already completed ADR

ADR Exemptions (Rule 16B)

The following case types are generally exempt from mandatory ADR:

• ☐ Personal injury with claimed damages less than $30,000
• ☐ Actions by or against incarcerated persons
• ☐ Administrative appeals (Rule 80B / 80C)
• ☐ Forcible entry and detainer
• ☐ Other exemption: [________________________________]

Preferred ADR Method

• ☐ Mediation
• ☐ Arbitration (binding)
• ☐ Arbitration (non-binding)
• ☐ Early neutral evaluation
• ☐ No preference

ADR Timing

ADR must generally be completed between 60 and 120 days after the Rule 16(a) Scheduling Order, unless the time period is extended by the court.

Expected ADR Completion Date: [__/__/____]

PART 12: SERVICE OF PROCESS

Method of Service (M.R.Civ.P. 4)

Defendant 1: [________________________________]

• ☐ In-hand delivery by sheriff / deputy sheriff (Rule 4(c))
• ☐ In-hand delivery by other person authorized by the court (Rule 4(c))
• ☐ At dwelling / usual place of abode with person of suitable age (Rule 4(d)(1))
• ☐ Service on authorized agent (Rule 4(d)(1))
• ☐ Registered or certified mail, return receipt requested (Rule 4(g))
• ☐ Service on Secretary of State as agent (Rule 4(e))
• ☐ Service by publication (Rule 4(g)) -- ☐ Court order obtained
• ☐ Acceptance of service
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Defendant 2 (if applicable): [________________________________]

• ☐ In-hand delivery by sheriff / deputy sheriff (Rule 4(c))
• ☐ In-hand delivery by other person authorized by the court (Rule 4(c))
• ☐ At dwelling / usual place of abode (Rule 4(d)(1))
• ☐ Service on authorized agent (Rule 4(d)(1))
• ☐ Registered or certified mail, return receipt requested (Rule 4(g))
• ☐ Service on Secretary of State as agent (Rule 4(e))
• ☐ Service by publication (Rule 4(g))
• ☐ Acceptance of service
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Service Tracking

PART 13: BUSINESS AND CONSUMER COURT DESIGNATION

The Maine Business and Consumer Court (BCD) handles certain complex commercial disputes. If your case qualifies, indicate below:

• ☐ This case may qualify for Business and Consumer Court
• ☐ This case does not qualify for BCD
• ☐ Request to transfer to BCD filed separately

BCD Qualifying Case Types (4 M.R.S.A. Section 152(5-A))

• ☐ Business torts (unfair trade practices, trade secrets, non-compete)
• ☐ Internal governance of business organizations
• ☐ Securities law disputes
• ☐ Commercial real estate disputes
• ☐ Complex contract disputes (over $50,000)
• ☐ Insurance coverage disputes (commercial)
• ☐ Other qualifying business dispute: [________________________________]

PART 14: ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS

• ☐ Interpreter needed -- Language: [________________________________]
• ☐ ADA accommodation needed -- Describe: [________________________________]
• ☐ No accommodations needed

PART 15: CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I certify that the information provided on this Civil Information Sheet is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Date: [__/__/____]

________________________________________
Signature of Attorney / Pro Se Party

[________________________________]
Printed Name

Maine Bar Number: [________________]
Attorney for: [________________________________]
Firm: [________________________________]
Address: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email: [________________________________]

PART 16: FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Maine eCourts (Electronic Filing)

1. E-Filing System: Maine uses the Tyler Technologies Odyssey-based eCourts system
2. Rollout Status: eCourts is being deployed county by county. As of early 2026, eCourts is available in multiple counties with York County courts coming online March 30, 2026
3. Filing Portal: Access eCourts at https://www.courts.maine.gov/ecourts/
4. Registration: Attorneys and parties must register for an eCourts account
5. Payment: Filing fees are payable through the eCourts portal via credit card or electronic check

Paper Filing

1. File the original Civil Information Sheet and complaint with the Clerk of Court
2. Include the correct filing fee (cash, check, or money order payable to "Treasurer, State of Maine")
3. Provide copies for service on all defendants
4. Include summons for each defendant (issued by the Clerk)

Required Documents

• ☐ Civil Information Sheet (this document or official form)
• ☐ Complaint / Petition
• ☐ Summons (for each defendant, issued by Clerk)
• ☐ Application for Fee Waiver (if applicable, M.R.Civ.P. 91)
• ☐ Certificate of Service
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

PRACTITIONER NOTES

Maine-Specific Practice Considerations

1. Court Structure: Maine has a unified court system with the Supreme Judicial Court (Law Court) at the apex, followed by the Superior Court (general jurisdiction) and the District Court (limited jurisdiction). The Business and Consumer Court handles complex commercial disputes statewide.

2. Service Deadline: Under M.R.Civ.P. 3, a civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court. Service must be made within 90 days after filing (M.R.Civ.P. 4(j)).

3. Responsive Pleading: The defendant has 20 days after service to file an answer or responsive motion (M.R.Civ.P. 12(a)).

4. Scheduling Conference (Rule 16(a)): The court will schedule a Rule 16(a) conference shortly after the complaint and answer are filed. The scheduling order will set deadlines for discovery, ADR, dispositive motions, and trial.

5. ADR Compliance: Rule 16B requires ADR in most Superior Court civil cases. Failure to participate in ADR may result in sanctions. The court roster of approved mediators is available at courts.maine.gov.

6. Medical Malpractice Pre-litigation Panel: Maine requires a pre-litigation screening panel for medical malpractice claims under 24 M.R.S.A. Section 2851 et seq. The panel must review the claim before a suit may be filed in court.

7. Limitations Periods (Common):
   - Contract: 6 years (14 M.R.S.A. Section 752)
   - Personal injury: 6 years (14 M.R.S.A. Section 752)
   - Property damage: 6 years (14 M.R.S.A. Section 752)
   - Medical malpractice: 3 years from discovery (24 M.R.S.A. Section 2902)
   - Products liability: 6 years (14 M.R.S.A. Section 752)
   - Wrongful death: 2 years (18-C M.R.S.A. Section 2-807)
   - Defamation: 2 years (14 M.R.S.A. Section 753)

8. Modified Comparative Fault: Maine follows modified comparative fault -- a plaintiff's damages are reduced by their percentage of fault, and recovery is barred if the plaintiff is equally or more at fault (i.e., 50% or more) (14 M.R.S.A. Section 156).

9. Damages Cap: Maine has a $500,000 cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases (24 M.R.S.A. Section 2905).

10. Venue Rules: Under 14 M.R.S.A. Section 501, transitory actions shall be brought in the county where any plaintiff or defendant resides, or in the county where the cause of action arose. Real property actions must be brought where the property is located.

11. Business and Consumer Court: The BCD operates statewide from Portland and handles commercial cases meeting specific criteria under 4 M.R.S.A. Section 152(5-A). Transfer to BCD may be requested by any party or ordered by the court.

12. e-Discovery: Maine follows the federal approach to e-discovery. The Rule 16 scheduling conference should address proportionality and scope of electronic discovery.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• Maine Rules of Civil Procedure: https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/rules-civil.html
• Maine Court Fees (AO JB-05-26): https://www.courts.maine.gov/forms/fees.html
• Maine eCourts: https://www.courts.maine.gov/ecourts/
• Maine Court Forms: https://www.courts.maine.gov/fees_forms/forms/index.shtml
• ADR Programs: https://www.courts.maine.gov/programs/adr/index.html
• Business and Consumer Court: https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/bcd/
• Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 (Procedures): https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/14/