Title 14, Title 14

If either party, in a cause in which a verdict is returned, during the same term of the court, before or after the trial, gives to any of the jurors who try the cause any treat or gratuity or purposely introduces among the papers delivered to the jury when they retire with the ca…

In the trial of all civil suits in the Superior Court of this State, if a number of jurors equal to at least 2/3 of the total number of jurors serving on a jury agree on a verdict or finding, they shall return it into court as the verdict or finding of that jury and the trial jud…

Any court may exclude minors as spectators from the courtroom during the trial of any cause, civil or criminal, when their presence is not necessary as witnesses or parties.

In action for trespass on property, the court and jury or judge shall determine whether the trespass was committed willfully. If so found, a record thereof shall be made and a memorandum thereof minuted on the margin of the execution.

Notwithstanding any court rule to the contrary, when, after an event, measures are taken that, if taken previously, would have made the event less likely to occur, evidence of the subsequent measures is not admissible to prove negligence or culpable conduct in connection with the…

Damages on protests of bills of exchange of $100 or more, payable by the acceptor, drawer or indorser of a bill in this State are, if payable at a place 75 miles distant, 1%; if payable in the state of New York or in any state northerly of it and not in this State, 3%; if payable…

In an action for breach of covenant against encumbrances contained in a deed of real estate, when the encumbrance is a right of dower, if such dower has been assigned and not released, the value thereof shall be the measure of damages; but if it has been demanded and not assigned…

In any action where recovery is sought for the destruction or damage of a motor vehicle, the owner of such motor vehicle shall be entitled to recover reasonable rental costs actually expended for a replacement motor vehicle during such time, not to exceed 45 days, as the damaged …

In all actions, the party prevailing recovers costs unless otherwise specially provided. If, after a verdict, the party in whose favor the jury found carries the case into the law court and the decision there is against him, he recovers no costs after the verdict but the party pr…

The following costs shall be allowed to prevailing parties in civil actions unless the court otherwise specifically directs: [PL 1985, c. 384, §4 (NEW).] 1. Filing fees. Filing fees paid to the clerk; 2. Fees for service of process. Fees paid for service of process and other docu…

In addition to other costs allowed to the prevailing party, the court may include as costs, in such amounts as it considers just and reasonable, any of the following items: [PL 1985, c. 384, §4 (NEW).] 1. Reasonable expert witness fees and expenses. Expert witness fees and expens…

The clerk shall set costs under section 1502-B and interest under section 1602-B to the extent they appear from the record. The prevailing party or the prevailing party's attorney may submit a bill of costs for all other costs or interest to the court not later than 10 days after…

In all proceedings for the estimation of damages for the taking of lands or other property under any general or special law, if the owner of the land, after an award made by the county commissioners, enters an appeal therefrom and fails to obtain a final judgment for an amount gr…

When a plaintiff appeals from a judgment of a District Court in his favor and does not recover in the appellate court a greater sum as damages, he recovers only a quarter of the sum last recovered for costs.

In actions of replevin commenced in the Superior Court, when the jury finds that each party owned a part of the property, they shall find and state in their verdict the value of the part owned by the plaintiff when replevied without regard to the value as estimated in the replevi…

In actions commenced in the Superior Court, except those by or against towns for the support of paupers, if it appears on the rendition of judgment that the action should have been commenced before a District Court, including actions of replevin where the value of the property do…

When a counterclaim is filed and the plaintiff recovers not exceeding $20, he is entitled to full costs if the jury certify in their verdict that the damages were reduced to that sum by reason of the amount allowed on the counterclaim.

When a party recovers double or treble costs, the fees of witnesses, depositions, copies and other evidence are not doubled or trebled.

On application of a private person for relief from a judgment or for relief in the nature of certiorari, mandamus or quo warranto, or like process, the court may or may not allow costs to a person appearing on notice as defendant.

When a plaintiff's action is voluntarily or involuntarily dismissed, the defendant recovers costs against him, and in all actions, as well as those of qui tam as others, the party prevailing is entitled to his legal costs.

When an action is brought in the name of the State for the benefit of a private person, his name and place of residence shall be indorsed on the summons. If the defendant prevails, judgment for his costs shall be rendered against such person and execution issued as if he were pla…

When a defendant prevails against the State in a civil action, judgment for his costs shall be rendered against it and the treasurer of the county shall pay the amount on a certified copy of the judgment. The amount shall be allowed to him in his account with the State.

When the State recovers costs in a civil action no fees shall be taxed for the travel of an attorney.

When a plaintiff brings divers actions which might have been joined in one against the same party and which are first in order for trial at the same term of court, or divides an account which might all have been sued for in one action and commences successive actions upon parts o…

A plaintiff shall not be allowed costs in an action on a judgment of any tribunal on which an execution could issue when such action was commenced, except in trustee process.

In actions of a corporation, its travel is computed from the place where it is situated, if local, otherwise from the place where its business is usually transacted, not exceeding 40 miles, unless its agent actually travels a greater distance to attend court.

The power of the court to require payment of costs or to refuse them as the condition of amendment or continuance is not affected by this Title.

When a defendant pleads a discharge in bankruptcy or insolvency obtained after the commencement of the action, he recovers no costs before the time when the certificate was produced in court.

1. Costs allowed. In any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney General pursuant to any of the provisions listed below or to enforce any of the provisions listed below, the court shall allow litigation costs, including court costs, reasonable attorney's fees and reasonable …

In criminal cases the clerk of courts of a county, by virtue of a certificate from the law court, received in vacation, shall enter judgment as of the preceding term. In civil cases judgment shall be entered forthwith upon receipt of the certificate of decision from the law court…

1. In small claims. In small claims actions, prejudgment interest is not recoverable unless the rate of interest is based on a contract or note. 2. On contracts and notes. In all civil and small claims actions involving a contract or note that contains a provision relating to int…

1. Rate. In all civil and small claims actions, post-judgment interest is allowed at a rate equal to: A. In actions involving a contract or note that contains a provision relating to interest, the rate set forth in the contract or note or the rate in paragraph B, whichever is gre…

No judgment or decree divesting any person of title to real estate shall be effectual against any person not a party to the action in which such judgment or decree is rendered, and persons not having actual notice thereof, unless a copy of such judgment or decree or so much there…

No settlement of any action brought in behalf of an infant by next friend or defended on the infant's behalf by guardian or guardian ad litem is valid unless approved by the court in which the action is pending, or affirmed by an entry of judgment. If no action has been commenced…

In cases carried from a District Court to a higher court, all depositions and original papers, except the process by which the action was commenced, the return of service thereon and the pleadings shall be certified by the proper officer and carried up without leaving copies unle…

If an appeal to the law court or Superior Court is found by that court to have been frivolous and intended for delay, treble costs may be allowed to the prevailing party.

No witnesses shall be heard orally before the law court as a part of the case on appeal, but the court may, in such manner and on such terms as it deems proper, authorize additional evidence to be taken when the same has been omitted by accident or mistake or discovered after the…

For all purposes for which an exception has heretofore been necessary in civil cases, it is sufficient that a party, at the time the order or ruling of the court is made or sought, makes known to the court the action that the party desires the court to take or the party's objecti…

1. Appeals from District Court. Except as provided in subsection 3 or by court rule, an appeal may be taken from the District Court to the Supreme Judicial Court sitting as the Law Court. The time for taking the appeal and the manner and any conditions for the taking of the appea…

In actions in a District Court, either party, after appearing and filing his pleadings, may waive a trial and give the adverse party judgment, and then appeal as if there had been an actual trial.

If so requested by the adverse party, the appellant shall within one week after notice of such request, or within such further time as may be allowed by the court, recognize to such adverse party in a reasonable sum, with condition to prosecute his appeal with effect and pay all …

When such appeal is completed, the clerk shall file in the appellate court, the record and the originals of all papers filed in the cause.

The expenses of levy in any of the modes provided by this chapter in a levy, sale or redemption are part of the execution.

Everything which a creditor or debtor is required in this chapter to do may be done by his executors or administrators, or by any person lawfully claiming under him.

When an execution is issued in the name or for the use of the State, the debtor's real estate may be taken thereby and sold at auction, notice thereof being given as provided in section 2202, except that notice shall also be published in the state paper, and the last publication …

When the right of a debtor to a conveyance of real estate by bond or contract is attached, and a deed is made to the debtor during its existence, the attachment takes effect upon the premises, which may be levied on as in other cases.