Rule 2-504. Scheduling order.

(a) Order required.

(1) Unless otherwise ordered by the County Administrative Judge for one or more specified categories of actions, the court shall enter a scheduling order in every civil action, whether or not the court orders a scheduling conference pursuant to Rule 2-504.1.

(2) The County Administrative Judge shall prescribe the general format of scheduling orders to be entered pursuant to this Rule. A copy of the prescribed format shall be furnished to the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.

(3) Unless the court orders a scheduling conference pursuant to Rule 2-504.1, the scheduling order shall be entered as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days after an answer is filed by any defendant. If the court orders a scheduling conference, the scheduling order shall be entered promptly after conclusion of the conference.

(b) Contents of scheduling order.

(1) Required. A scheduling order shall contain:

(A) an assignment of the action to an appropriate scheduling category of a
differentiated case management system established pursuant to Rule 16-202;.

(B) one or more dates by which each party shall identify each person whom
the party expects to call as an expert witness at trial, including all
information specified in Rule 2-402 (f) (1);.

(C) one or more dates by which each party shall file the notice required by
Rule 2-504.3 (b) concerning computer-generated evidence;.

(D) a date by which all discovery must be completed;.

(E) a date by which all dispositive motions must be filed; and.

(F) any other matter resolved at a scheduling conference held pursuant to
Rule 2-504.1.

(2) Permitted. A scheduling order may also contain:

(A) any limitations on discovery otherwise permitted under these rules,
including reasonable limitations on the number of interrogatories, depositions,
and other forms of discovery;.

(B) the resolution of any disputes existing between the parties relating to
discovery;.

(C) a date by which any additional parties must be joined;.

(D) a specific referral to or direction to pursue an available and
appropriate form of alternative dispute resolution, including a requirement that
individuals with authority to settle be present or readily available for
consultation during the alternative dispute resolution proceeding, provided that the
referral or direction conforms to the limitations of Rule 2-504.1 (e);.

(E) an order designating or providing for the designation of a neutral
expert to be called as the court's witness;.

(F) a further scheduling conference or pretrial conference date; and.

(G) any other matter pertinent to the management of the action.