Ghazzaoui v. Russett Comm. Ass'n.

• Court: Court of Appeals of Maryland
• Decided: January 23, 2026
• Docket: 407pet/25
• Status: Published

Opinion

Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County Case No. C-02-CV-25-002097

IN THE SUPREME COURT

OF MARYLAND

Petition No. 407

September Term, 2025

RAMEZ GHAZZAOUI

v.

RUSSETT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC.

Fader, C.J., Watts, Booth, Biran, Gould, Eaves, Killough, JJ.

PER CURIAM ORDER

Filed: January 23, 2026 * IN THE RAMEZ GHAZZAOUI * SUPREME COURT * v. OF MARYLAND * Petition No. 407 RUSSETT COMMUNITY September Term, 2025 * ASSOCIATION, INC. (Cir. Ct. No. C-02-CV-25-002097) *

ORDER

On Ramez Ghazzaoui’s appeal from the District Court’s money judgment in favor

of Russett Community Association, Inc., and when Ramez Ghazzaoui, the petitioner, failed

to appear at the de novo trial, the circuit court dismissed the petitioner’s appeal with

prejudice and then entered a money judgment in excess of the amount entered by the

District Court. The petitioner petitioned for a writ of certiorari to this Court.

Based on the petitioner’s failure to appear for trial, the circuit court had the authority

to dismiss the appeal pursuant to Rule 7-114(c)(4). However, dismissal of the appeal had

the effect of terminating the circuit court’s ability to proceed further on the appeal and

leaving the Disrtict Court’s judgment in place. The circuit court therefore erred when it

proceeded to enter a new money judgment.

Accordingly, it is this 23rd day of January 2026, by the Supreme Court of Maryland,

ORDERED that the petition for writ of certiorari is granted; and it is further

ORDERED that the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County’s October 15, 2025

order dismissing the petitioner’s appeal with prejudice and entering a money judgment in favor of the respondent is vacated. The case is remanded to the circuit court with

instructions to issue an order clarifying that the appeal from the District Court is dismissed

with prejudice and that the District Court’s judgment remains in effect.

/s/ Matthew J. Fader Chief Justice

Pursuant to the Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act (§§ 10-1601 et seq. of the State Government Article) this document is authentic.

2026.01.23 '00'05- 13:48:16 Gregory Hilton, Clerk