Md. Rule 17-203 (2026)

(a) Applicability. This Rule applies to health care malpractice actions under Code, Courts Article, Title 3, Subtitle 2A.

(b) Mandatory Referral to ADR; Timing. Within 30 days after a defendant has filed an answer to the complaint or within 30 days after a defendant has filed a certificate of a qualified expert pursuant to Code, Courts Article, Title 3, Subtitle 2A-04, whichever is later, the court shall issue a scheduling order requiring the parties to engage in ADR at the earliest practicable date, unless all parties file with the court an agreement not to engage in ADR and the court finds that ADR would not be productive.

Cross reference: See Rule 2-504 (b)(2)(C) and Code, Courts Article, § 3-2A-06C (b).

(c) Designation

(1) By the Parties. Within 30 days after the defendant has answered the complaint or filed a certificate of a qualified expert pursuant to Code, Courts Article, Title 3, Subtitle 2A-04, whichever is later, the parties may agree on an ADR practitioner and shall promptly notify the court of their agreement and the name of the ADR practitioner. A Notice of Selection of ADR Practitioner shall be substantially in the following form:

[Caption of Case]

NOTICE OF SELECTION OF ADR PRACTITIONER BY STIPULATION

We agree to attend ADR conducted by

.

(Name, address, and telephone number of ADR Practitioner).

We have made payment arrangements with the ADR Practitioner and we understand that the court's fee schedules do not apply to this ADR. We request that the court designate this ADR Practitioner in lieu of any court- appointed ADR Practitioner.

(Signature of Plaintiff)

(Signature of Defendant)