# Me. R. Civ. P. 3: Rule 3. COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION

> Maine · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R3

## Section

- **Citation:** Me. R. Civ. P. 3
- **Heading:** Rule 3. COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION
- **Jurisdiction:** Maine
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Maine Rules of Court / Maine Rules of Civil Procedure / Me. R. Civ. P. 3

## 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.

## Nearby sections

- [Me. R. Civ. P. 1 Rule 1. SCOPE OF RULES](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R1.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 2 Rule 2. ONE FORM OF ACTION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R2.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 3 Rule 3. COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R3.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 4 Rule 4. PROCESS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R4.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 4A Rule 4A. ATTACHMENT](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R4A.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 4B Rule 4B. TRUSTEE PROCESS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R4B.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 4C Rule 4C. ARREST [ABROGATED]](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R4C.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 5 Rule 5. SERVICE, FILING, AND FORM OF PLEADINGS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R5.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 6 Rule 6. TIME](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R6.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 7 Rule 7. PLEADINGS ALLOWED: FORM OF MOTIONS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R7.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 8 Rule 8. GENERAL RULES OF PLEADING](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R8.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 9 Rule 9. PLEADING SPECIAL MATTERS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R9.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 10 Rule 10. FORM OF PLEADINGS](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R10.md)
- [Me. R. Civ. P. 11 Rule 11. SIGNING OF PLEADINGS, MOTIONS, AND OTHER WRITTEN](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_ME_CIV_R3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.