IV. Both parties shall have a right to engage in discovery prior to the hearing on the merits within such time frame as may be established for eviction actions by the Rules of the District Court, provided, absent good cause or agreement of the parties, any motion for continuance to allow time to complete discovery shall be filed no later than 5 days after the return day appearing on the writ. Any party that requests discovery shall state the defense, claim, or counterclaim relevant to the request.
[Paragraph IV-a effective October 8, 2026.]
IV-a. If the tenant raises a defense at the hearing on the merits that the landlord did not have prior notice of, the landlord shall be entitled to a continuance of the hearing not to be more than 7 days unless the landlord requests a longer time to prepare a response.
[Paragraph V effective until October 8, 2026; see also paragraph V set out below.]
V. If the tenant files an appearance, a hearing shall be scheduled to occur within 10 days after such filing, with allowance for additional time pursuant to paragraph IV, with notice of the hearing mailed to the parties no fewer than 6 days prior to the hearing. If the tenant fails to file an appearance or fails to appear at the hearing on the merits, the court shall mail a notice of default to the address set forth on the summons at least 3 days prior to the issuance of the writ of possession.
[Paragraph V effective October 8, 2026; see also paragraph V set out above.]