Maryland prejudgment interest rate
United States Maryland’s 6% legal-rate reference and claim-specific prejudgment rules.
→ All Maryland judgment & prejudgment interest rates
Fixed by statute Discretionary
2026 Maryland prejudgment interest at a glance
- Current rate
- 6% per year
- Effective date
- July 9, 2026
- Controlling authority
- Md. Const. Art. III, sec. 57
- Rate basis
- Fixed by statute
- Source checked
- July 9, 2026
- Recorded history
- 1 data point
Maryland Constitution Article III, §57 supplies a 6% legal-rate reference, but it does not by itself decide entitlement, accrual, or calculation for every prejudgment claim. Those questions depend on the governing obligation and Maryland case law, including the claim categories discussed in Buxton v. Buxton.
When Maryland prejudgment interest applies
Maryland decisions distinguish claims receiving interest as of right, claims where interest is forbidden, and claims left to the factfinder. A fixed obligation due on a definite date can fit the first category, but this page does not extend that result to every contract, tort, conversion, or equitable claim.
When it starts accruing
For a claim that qualifies as of right, the legally relevant due date can control. Discretionary and excluded categories follow different rules, so the constitutional provision alone does not supply one start date.
Simple or compound
The constitutional provision states the legal rate but not a universal prejudgment compounding method. Confirm the controlling opinion, instrument, and judgment before calculating.
→ Compare with the Maryland post-judgment interest rate (interest after judgment)
Prejudgment interest under Md. Const. Art. III, sec. 57 — 6% (simple interest). This is PREjudgment interest (accruing before entry of judgment) and is separate from Maryland’s post-judgment rate; availability is limited by claim type (see the page). Verify against the statute text. Not legal advice.
Current recorded observation
| Effective date | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2026 | 6% | Statute |
Source & provenance
Observation recorded July 9, 2026 (00:00 UTC) from the cited source (Maryland — mgaleg.maryland.gov):
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/LegisLegal/2025-constitution-maryland-us.pdf
Cite this page
StatuteRates. “Maryland Prejudgment Interest Rate.” StatuteRates.com. Accessed today. https://statuterates.com/rates/maryland-prejudgment-rate/ Rate recorded under Md. Const. Art. III, sec. 57, effective July 9, 2026.