Rule 19-214 - Order of Admission; Time Limitation(a)Order of Admission. When the Court has determined that an applicant or petitioner is qualified to practice law and is of good moral character, it shall enter an order directing that the applicant be admitted to the Bar on taking the oath required by law.(b) Administration of Oath. The oath shall be administered in open court, using the language specified in Code, Business Occupations and Professions Article, § 10-212. If administered in Maryland, the oath shall be administered by a justice of the Supreme Court or by the Clerk of that Court. If administered outside of Maryland, the oath shall be administered by a judge or clerk of a court of record who is authorized to administer oaths in the court where the administration occurs.Cross reference: See Code, Business Occupations and Professions Article, § 10-212, requiring that the oath be taken in open court.
(c)Time Limitation for Taking Oath--Generally. An applicant or petitioner may not take the oath of admission to the Bar later than 24 months after the date that the Supreme Court ratified the Board's report pursuant to Rule 19-211 or Rule 19-216 that includes the applicant or petitioner.(d)Extension. For good cause, the Board may extend the time for taking the oath, but the applicant's or petitioner's failure to take action to satisfy admission requirements does not constitute good cause.(e)Consequence of Failure to Take Oath Timely.(1)Applicant seeking admission under Rule 19-201. An applicant who seeks admission under Rule 19-201 but fails to take the oath within the required time period and wishes to be admitted shall reapply for admission and retake the bar examination or transfer a qualifying UBE score and successfully re-complete the Maryland Law Component, unless excused by the Court.(2)Petitioner seeking admission under Rule 19-215. A petitioner who seeks admission under Rule 19-215 but fails to take the oath within the required time period and wishes to be admitted shall reapply for admission and successfully recomplete the Maryland Law Component, unless excused by the Court. This Rule is derived from former Rule 12 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Maryland (2016).
Formerly Rule 19-211, adopted June 6, 2016, eff. 7/1/2016. Renumbered Rule 19-214 Dec. 4, 2018, eff. 3/1/2019; amended April 21, 2023, eff. 4/1/2023.HISTORICAL NOTES
2018 Orders
The December 4, 2018 order re-numbered this rule from Rule 19-211, made stylistic changes, conformed the Rule for implementation of the Uniform Bar Exam, and added a new section (b) pertaining to administration of the oath of admission.