Rule 3. COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION

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Maine Rules of Court › Maine Rules of Civil Procedure › Me. R. Civ. P. 3

This text was captured on Aug 14, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.

Text

Except as otherwise provided in these rules, a civil action is commenced

in one of two ways:

(a) Service. A civil action may be commenced by the service of a

summons, complaint, and notice regarding Electronic Service. If so

commenced, the complaint must be filed with the court within 20 days after

completion of service of the summons, complaint, and notice regarding

Electronic Service.

(b) Filing. A civil action may be commenced by filing a complaint

with the court. If so commenced, the return of service shall be filed with the

court within 90 days after the filing of the complaint. If the complaint or the

return of service is not timely filed, the action may be dismissed on motion and

notice, and in such case the court may, in its discretion, if it shall be of the

opinion that the action was vexatiously commenced, tax a reasonable attorney

fee as costs in favor of the defendant, to be recovered of the plaintiff or the

plaintiff’s attorney.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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Rule 3. COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION · Me. R. Civ. P. 3 | Frix