Maryland Circuit Courts

[9] Each Circuit Court also has its own Clerk, who is elected by the citizens of the county (or Baltimore City) to a four-year term.

[10] In civil matters, the Circuit Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction in most cases in which equitable, declaratory, or injunctive relief is sought, or in which ownership of real property is to be determined.

[12] In tort or contract cases for money damages where the amount in controversy exceeds $30,000, the Circuit Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction.

[15] The District Court has exclusive jurisdiction in contract and tort cases for money damages where the amount in controversy is less than $5,000.

In criminal cases, the Circuit Courts generally have exclusive original jurisdiction over felonies (with many exceptions).

[18] By rule, each of the Circuit Courts is required to have a differentiated case management plan "for the prompt and efficient scheduling and disposition of actions[.

The rule creating this track was promulgated in 2003,[21] making Maryland one of the earliest states with a business court.